E36 M3 Coupe Brake Rotors...Best Buy

[///MGRILL24]

Good Evening Guys,

Does anyone have a good suggestion for a set of performance brake rotors for the M? Not afraid of spending a little bit, but I am having a hard time finding the best "bang for buck". I guess drilled or slotted to some extent, but just want to be on the conservative side.

[BMWManiac]

Good Evening Guys,

Does anyone have a good suggestion for a set of performance brake rotors for the M? Not afraid of spending a little bit, but I am having a hard time finding the best "bang for buck". I guess drilled or slotted to some extent, but just want to be on the conservative side.

What are you looking to do? I think the stock blanks with some excellent pads would do a lot better than having slotted or drilled rotors....are you talking about the track or street?

[Bimmerman535i]

Good Evening Guys,

Does anyone have a good suggestion for a set of performance brake rotors for the M? Not afraid of spending a little bit, but I am having a hard time finding the best "bang for buck". I guess drilled or slotted to some extent, but just want to be on the conservative side.

There really are four options.

1) OEM blanks i.e. not slotted or drilled, $

2) OE rotors, $$

3) PFC Direct Drive rotor kit, $$$$

4) Big Brake Kit (Stoptech, Brembo, AP, Massive, PFC, etc), $$$$$$$$$$$$$$


Of these, just go with option 1 for OEM replacements (such as sold by Bimmerworld and others), as it's ~$80/axle. Drilled rotors tend to crack, slotted rotors cause faster pad wear, and with newer pad technology the slots/drill aren't needed to combat pad off-gassing.

Option 2, the OE rotors, will last a fair bit longer than the OEMs, but at correspondingly higher price. Debatable whether it's worth it.

Option 3, the PFC DD kit, is aftermarket rotors and rotor hats that use stock calipers and brackets. Significantly higher up front cost and running cost for the rotor rings, and you still have sliding flexy calipers, so it's a bit of a niche option. Wouldn't bother with it for a streeted car.

Option 4, the BBK, is really expensive and tbh not comparable with the other three, but does give you the best brake feel, modulation, and heat capacity over any other options.

Since you didn't mention whether it's for a track car, I'll assume it's primarily a street car-- in that case, just go with OE. Longer lasting than OEM, just as high performance. The vast majority of frequent track rats and racers that I know run OE/OEM rotors, track pads, and upgraded fluid. Hard to get more 'high performance' than that, short of a full BBK or the PFC weird option above.

[MPWRCPE]

High Carbon Centric/Stoptech plain rotors (~$46 each at RockAuto).

Upgrade pads and fluid according to your usage/needs.

[pbonsalb]

Buy any of the high carbon steel (premium) replacement rotors. I think mine are zimmerman, but I have used brembo, centric/stoptech and others.

[///MGRILL24]

Talking street. Thanks man, I like your proposal. The rotors are totally shot, so I will just replace them and get some good pads. Thanks buddy

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks Bimmerman535i into talking some sense into me.

[MemphisRob]

High Carbon Centric/Stoptech plain rotors (~$46 each at RockAuto).

Upgrade pads and fluid according to your usage/needs.

This...I read that these are what some of the fancy drilled and slotted rotors start as. Also, for track use these are supposed to be more reliable...I have been happy with mine...on two different E36M3's.

[tmswell]

Floating rotors (unless you're planning on some track time).
But the floating rotors are worth it.

[Gene V]

Bought a set of Brembo rotors a few years back from Bimmerworld, had them shipped in a large "flat rate" box to save on shipping...$20 at the time.

[ScotcH]

I've been really happy with Textar pads and discs for my street cars ... very good performance, and zero rust on the hubs even after a couple years. Pretty cheap as well

[propcar]

I've got Centric Premium (high carbon) came in a Stoptech box actually, bought on Rock Auto. Paired them with PFC Z-rated pads... everything is good, except I hear some faint pad/rotor noise, almost like if the pad is dragging on the rotor slightly, doesn't seem to be a seized caliper (they were rebuilt with new caliper seals etc.) Other than that, I like that combo and the rotors seem fine.