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E82 1-Series  (2008-2009)

 

 

Why Upgrade your Brakes?

Big brakes give your car greater resistance to fade by absorbing and shedding heat more efficiently.  Racers upgrade because stock brakes were designed for a single stop from high speed, not repeated slow-downs with little time in between to cool off.  For fade resistance, size really does matter.  On the street, fixed-mount, multi-piston calipers give a firmer pedal and quicker reaction time in panic stops.  As little as 0.2 second reduction in reaction time can translate into 21 feet of stopping distance at 70 mph.  Reaction time is not as important to racers who can compensate by braking earlier.  But on the street, in an unexpected stop, quicker reaction time can save your life.  You don't need to be a racer to benefit from brake upgrades.

If you track or autocross your car regularly, your stock brakes are probably not up to the task.  You can start off with better brake fluid, more aggressive brake pads, cooling ducts, and stainless braided brake lines.  But as you progress from novice to intermediate skill level and beyond, carrying more speed into the braking zones, your track events will become characterized by boiling brake fluid, sinking brake pedal, and pad fade.  Losing confidence in your brakes takes the fun out of a track event.  Big brake upgrades allow you to dive deeper into the braking zone and brake harder than you ever thought possible.

 

Big Brake Kits

StopTech big brake kits are designed to maintain optimum front to rear brake torque balance, resulting in the shortest possible stopping distance and total compatibility with ABS and modern electronic stability control systems.  The fixed-mount, multi-piston calipers yield a firmer pedal feel and quicker reaction time in panic stops.  Every StopTech application is thoroughly track tested as part of the development process.  [Track testing write-up]

StopTech big brake kits are available with red or black calipers standard.  Silver, gold, blue or yellow calipers are available and add 30 days to the delivery date.  Silver is a no-cost upgrade.  Blue, yellow and gold add $200 per caliper pair.  Slotted rotors are standard.  Drilled rotors may be substituted for $100/pair.  Drilled rotors are for street use and not appropriate for the race track.

Under development!  We are an exclusive dealer for StopTech's new Carbon Ceramic Brake System (CCBS).  Most StopTech 4-wheel brake kits may be optionally equipped with these exotic lightweight carbon ceramic rotors.  Significantly lighter than cast iron, these shave up to 60 pounds of rotating weight from your brakes, dramatically improving handling, acceleration and ride.  Better heat capacity, resistance to cracking and oxidation, and responsiveness in heavy rain than existing OEM ceramic options, such as Porsche's PCCB system.  Not delicate, like C6 Corvette ZR1 brakes.  We've been conducting durability and usability testing for almost 2 years, including track, street, and extreme winter conditions.  The system has performed beyond our expectations.  Call for details and availability.

New!  StopTech's ultra-high end Trophy Sport and Trophy Race brake systems are now available.  20% lighter calipers and extreme heat resistant natural anodized finish for heavy racing applications.  Click here for our Trophy brakes announcement in our latest magazine ad.

Will your wheels clear a StopTech big brake kit?  Click here for a comprehensive set of wheel fitment templates and instructions for using them.

Replacement brake pads, rotors, and other hardware for your StopTech big brake kit.

To purchase a StopTech brake kit on-line, click here: and then enter the part number into the Product Finder box in the upper left corner of the page, or simply click on your make, model, and year car.  Or feel free to call us at (800)222-8893 x1 for help selecting the proper kit for your needs.

For 128i (USA/Canada) and 120i, 120d, 130i (Europe)

Front 14" brake kit with ST-60 6-piston calipers, floating 355x32mm AeroRotors, stainless steel braided brake lines, and high performance street pads

$3195

83-161-6700

Rear 13.6" brake kit with ST-40 4-piston calipers, floating 345x28mm AeroRotors, stainless steel braided brake lines, and high performance street pads

$2595

83-161-004G

For 135i (All)

Front 14" brake kit with ST-60 6-piston calipers, floating 355x32mm AeroRotors, stainless steel braided brake lines, and high performance street pads

$3195

83-165-6700

Rear 13.6" brake kit with ST-40 4-piston calipers, floating 345x28mm AeroRotors, stainless steel braided brake lines, and high performance street pads

$2595

83-165-004G

 

Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines

Improve pedal feel by replacing stock rubber lines with StopTech stainless steel braided Teflon® lines.  Stock lines expand under pressure, contributing to spongy pedal feel.  StopTech lines reduce pedal travel and firm up pedal feel, allowing precise brake modulation.  Useful for drivers who "heel-toe" downshift, providing a more stable platform from which to modulate the throttle to match engine revs to transmission speed.

StopTech lines are covered with stainless steel weave to provide support and protect from abrasion and impact.  The stainless braid is molded inside a layer of clear plastic to protect the lines from the environment and to protect your car's suspension and delicate sensor wires from the "hacksaw effect" possible with uncoated steel braided brake lines.  These lines are DOT compliant and may be legally used on the highway, unlike lines sold for "off-road use only."  StopTech lines have been tested and approved by the TÜV for sale in Germany.

100 percent tested!  Every StopTech line is tested at 4,500 psi before it is packed and shipped.  Most manufacturers perform no pressure testing.  Some test random samples from their assembly line or test to lower pressures.  No other company tests every single brake line.

When installing a front big brake kit, Zeckhausen Racing recommends upgrading your rear brake lines.  4-wheel big brake kits come with front and rear steel braided lines, so no additional purchase is necessary.

Each brake line kit includes parts for both sides of your vehicle.  To order, click here: and locate your vehicle along the left side of the store page.  Or, feel free to call us at (800)222-8893 x1 for help selecting the proper parts.

(Teflon® is a registered trademark of DuPont)

Stainless steel braided brake lines

F-$73

R-$93

950.34013

950.34525

 

Replacement Brake Pad Wear Sensors

BMW uses brake pad wear sensors to monitor the condition of your brake pads.  Although your BMW has eight brake pads, on most models, only two pads are monitored for wear - the driver's side front inboard pad and the passenger's side rear inboard pad.  Thus, you should only order one front and one rear sensor.  When a monitored pad has worn below 2mm, the rotor chews through a plastic bump on the sensor and slices a wire.  This causes an open circuit, triggering a warning on your dash, either an idiot light or "CHECK BRAKE LININGS" message.  Once a warning has appeared, the sensor has been destroyed and must be replaced.

Each Centric brand replacement sensor comes with a wire and connector that clips into your BMW's main wiring harness.  The other end (shown below in the enlarged gray box) clips into a slot at the top of your brake pad, with the plastic bump facing TOWARD the rotor.

E46 M3 sensor shown - your BMW model's sensor may have a different appearance

After replacing pads and sensors, the dash warning will still be illuminated.  However, you do not need to go to your BMW dealer to have the warning message reset.  To reset the warning on most models, turn the ignition key to the run position, but do not start the car.  After about one minute, the brake pad warning will reset.

To order, click here: and then locate your vehicle along the left side of the on-line store page.  Or, feel free to call us at (800)222-8893 for help selecting the proper parts.

Want to make sure you're getting the correct part?  Click the part number below to see a photograph of the sensor, along with an accurate measurement of its length.

128i & 130i Models

Brake pad wear sensor

F-$20

R-$21

64-116-34033

64-116-34034

135i Model

Brake pad wear sensor

F-$23

R-$21

64-116-34046

64-116-34034

Problems shifting your BMW 128i, 130i or 135i 6-Speed?

Many models of BMWs with 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmissions have a Clutch Delay Valve (CDV) installed by the factory.  This valve is the culprit behind the jerky shifting that makes your BMW hard to drive, even if you have been driving a standard transmission all your life.  When replaced with the Zeckhausen Racing modified CDV, your clutch is suddenly transformed into the smooth, easy to modulate clutch that should have been delivered from the factory as standard.  Extend the life of your clutch and increase the enjoyment of your BMW driving experience today! 

For full details of this modification, including history, theory of operation, installation instructions, and a free CDV exchange service by mail, click here.

Modified CDV E82 1-Series

$26

CDV-005

 

Performance, All-Season, and Winter Tires

Besides brakes, tires are the most important component in determining stopping distance.  It's literally where the rubber meets the road.  Selecting the right tire for your driving conditions can make a tremendous difference.  For example, if you live in Florida or southern California and are driving on all-season tires, you are leaving huge performance gains on the table!  A good set of summer-only performance tires can literally transform the handling and braking capabilities of your car.  In fact, if your goal is to minimize stopping distance, you're better off going to Tire Rack's web site and buying tires first, before spending any money here on better brakes!

For the best selection and prices, we recommend Tire Rack.  From Maximum Performance tires to All Season tires to Snow Tires, Tire Rack has it all.  Tire Rack also offers wheel and tire packages and can even tell you which wheels will clear your StopTech big brake upgrade.  Click the Tire Rack icon below for your best deal on wheels and tires. 

For wheel fitment information for cars equipped with StopTech or other big brake kits, contact Luke Pavlick at (888)541-1777 x362.

Tire Rack- Revolutionizing Tire Buying

 

Internet Resources for Z8 information:

http://www.bmwz8.us/

http://www.M5board.com (Discussion forum for BMW M5 & Z8)

To order by phone or for technical assistance:

Call (800)222-8893 and press "1" for Sales

International customers may call: 973-761-5054

Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 10AM - 5PM  (Eastern Time)

We are located in Fairfield, New Jersey

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Copyright © 2008 Zeckhausen Racing, LLC
Last modified: 02/18/10