The ultimate OEM+ retrofit big brake kit for the E46 M3 & E9X M3 by Slon_workshop

[jbfrancis3]

With the Slon-modified 6 piston Brembo caliper w/ 380mm rotors, you wonder if it gives you more or less wheel clearance for 18's. As compared to the E46 M3 Brembo kit. I personally run 19's but there are some that shy away from Brembo 380mm kits because of inability to run 18's (in addition to other reasons).

The pic in post #1 (and pasted below) shows Apex EC-7s in 18" size and the only wheel specs that clear are an 18x9.5" ET35 with an added spacer. At least according to Apex's site:

https://support.apexraceparts.com/hc/article_attachments/360085192174/mceclip0.png

That's a pretty sporty front wheel fitment. You cannot tell from the size if that's being used on this particular vehicle. Maybe the OP knows more about 18" clearance with this kit?

[Epoustouflant]

With the Slon-modified 6 piston Brembo caliper w/ 380mm rotors, you wonder if it gives you more or less wheel clearance for 18's. As compared to the E46 M3 Brembo kit. I personally run 19's but there are some that shy away from Brembo 380mm kits because of inability to run 18's (in addition to other reasons).

The pic in post #1 (and pasted below) shows Apex EC-7s in 18" size and the only wheel specs that clear are an 18x9.5" ET35 with an added spacer. At least according to Apex's site:

https://support.apexraceparts.com/hc/article_attachments/360085192174/mceclip0.png

That's a pretty sporty front wheel fitment. You cannot tell from the size if that's being used on this particular vehicle. Maybe the OP knows more about 18" clearance with this kit?

Rule of thumb in E9X world is if F8X calipers template clear an 18”’ spoke profile, this does.

Apex’ EC7 were designed for this, whereas the ARC8 do not clear.

[jbfrancis3]

A couple latest bits:

- Epoustouflant - silly question that just occurred to me - the E9X has the same rear parking brake mechanism/size as the E46, do you know?

- Wouldn't you know it, I've gotten interested in an 18" wheel set and starting talking with Apex. I think their EC-7R (forged) looks killer. Espoustouflant's comment above was helpful. Here is some additional commentary from Apex after I laid out the components (including BBK) I was working around:

Thank you for reaching out in regards to your E46 M3. For the 18x9" ET30 front and 18x10" ET25 EC-7R wheels, we have tested those specs to clear the F8X steel brakes without any issues. Therefore, those particular wheels should work just fine to clear your aftermarket BBK. Fitment-wise, when using 245/40-18 front and 275/35-18 rear tires, this setup should be a complete direct fit on your E46 M3. Even with KW V2 coilovers, no spacers will be required with the 18x9" ET30 up front.


The reason this is significant is that the 380mm Brembo kit for the E46 M3 does NOT clear an 18x9" ET 30 Apex front wheel as I alluded to previously. So this kit offers more versality than the factory Brembo kit.

https://support.apexraceparts.com/hc/article_attachments/360085192174/mceclip0.png

Apex has some great fit guides, by the way:

https://support.apexraceparts.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001448073-E46-M3-Wheel-Tire-Fitment-Guide

https://support.apexraceparts.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001593193-E9x-M3-Wheel-Tire-Fitment-Guide

https://support.apexraceparts.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002284493-F8x-M3-M4-Wheel-Tire-Fitment-Guide

[Epoustouflant]

That is great info dude! You ask all the right questions ahah. I will validate with Mikhail on e-brake question.

[jbfrancis3]

Appreciate you checking. You ought to tell this forum about your newly launched website.

[Epoustouflant]

Appreciate you checking. You ought to tell this forum about your newly launched website.

Working on it Big week at work - will do the introduction post this weekend. Hoping to start offering more valuable GBs to the E46 community. All of your feedback is super helpful.

Regarding E-brake: the brake drum diameter is the same, but Mikhail believes the rotors have different heights.

[BTB]

Is it the arc8 17x10 et25 by chance? I’m hoping to move to the db9 kit at some point starting with stock rotors and then bumping up to zcp rotors later

I'm pretty sure it's the ARC-8 he's referring to. I have the Brembo GT 4 pot front kit with 355mm/32mm discs and have been trying to find a good 17 to run, it seems like this may be the only good option at <$400 per wheel. Should be able to get more custom stuff to fit too I imagine

[jbfrancis3]

Regarding E-brake: the brake drum diameter is the same, but Mikhail believes the rotors have different heights.

Ok. I couldn’t tell from your response if he is Mikhail is going to examine further, or if there isn’t an interest in doing so. Either way is fine but I am curious what you recommend at this stage. Should I purchase the current 380mm kit and once your E46 application gets further developed (maybe I would be able to swap the rotor hats?), that takes care of the potential fit issue? Or should I wait for the E46 application (at the risk of there not being a 380mm option?)

Your current offering covers my needs perfectly: the 380mm size, the price, the fit with 18” wheels, the color, to name a few. I just don’t want to end up at a dead end with the rear system.

Thank you!

[Epoustouflant]

Ok. I couldn’t tell from your response if he is Mikhail is going to examine further, or if there isn’t an interest in doing so. Either way is fine but I am curious what you recommend at this stage. Should I purchase the current 380mm kit and once your E46 application gets further developed (maybe I would be able to swap the rotor hats?), that takes care of the potential fit issue? Or should I wait for the E46 application (at the risk of there not being a 380mm option?)

Your current offering covers my needs perfectly: the 380mm size, the price, the fit with 18” wheels, the color, to name a few. I just don’t want to end up at a dead end with the rear system.

Thank you!

Sorry for the confusion.

The 380mm Advanced Kit is already E46 compatible and tested on Slon's own E46 M3. This fits.
From feedback in this thread, he will develop a smaller 355mm Advanced Kit for 18in wheel fitments.

[jbfrancis3]

Sorry for the confusion.

The 380mm Advanced Kit is already E46 compatible and tested on Slon's own E46 M3. This fits.
From feedback in this thread, he will develop a smaller 355mm Advanced Kit for 18in wheel fitments.

Ah my mistake. Well, great! I will complete payment when invoice received. I know you are batching these. Thanks again.

[0-60motorsports]

Sorry for the confusion.

The 380mm Advanced Kit is already E46 compatible and tested on Slon's own E46 M3. This fits.
From feedback in this thread, he will develop a smaller 355mm Advanced Kit for 18in wheel fitments.

What would the price be for the full kit? Thanks,

[Epoustouflant]

What would the price be for the full kit? Thanks,

380mm kit is 4,950 US without pads at current max GB pricing threshold - retails around 6,000 US. Shipping included.

I’d assume 355mm kit would be a tad less

[0-60motorsports]

380mm kit is 4,950 US without pads at current max GB pricing threshold - retails around 6,000 US. Shipping included.

I’d assume 355mm kit would be a tad less

Thank you

[Grke46m3]

Sorry for the confusion.

The 380mm Advanced Kit is already E46 compatible and tested on Slon's own E46 M3. This fits.
From feedback in this thread, he will develop a smaller 355mm Advanced Kit for 18in wheel fitments.

I would be very interested in a 355 kit.


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[Epoustouflant]

I would be very interested in a 355 kit.


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Will come after the 380mm E9X GB!