Noob Questions: 001 of 100 - Big Brake Kits on a '06 330ci M-Tech ZHP (e46)

[AProudSailor]

Noob Questions: 001 of 100 - Big Brake Kits on a '06 330ci M-Tech ZHP (e46)

Sooo, I'm fairly new to ZHP Mafia, and mechanical performance mod's in general.

This question pertains to Big Brake Kits (BBK's) as I have just started digging into this topic regarding equipping my Sparkling Graphite Metallic '06 330ci M-Tech ZHP (e46)?

My primary concerns are low-dust, high-performance, cost and of course suitability for FAST highway driving..

Here's what I've been steered towards so far..
StopTech ST40 Brake Kit, 332mm Diameter (83.148.4600.52 or 83.148.4600.54)
.51 = Black caliper / slotted rotor
.52 = Black caliper / drilled rotor
.53 = Black caliper / slotted rotor with Zinc plating
.54 = Black caliper / drilled rotor with Zinc plating

My follow-on questions are:
Any real differences on slotted/drilled?
Zinc-plating?
Does no one produce a quality black or dark-colored rotor?

I'll welcome any advice and experiences, good or bad, to help me make the right decision!

[mimalmo]

Are you talking about the rotor hat being black? The only black rotors I've seen on cars are carbon ceramic.

[wsmeyer]

There's a wealth of info on braking over at e46fanatics:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=598402

Zinc plating keeps the metal from rusting. It immediately comes off the braking surface and will leave the slots/holes and hat black which most people think looks nicer.

If I were doing a BBK it would be this in the front:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330...OEM/ES2215444/

and just the OEM drilled in the rear:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330...All/ES2137046/

William.

[danewilson77]

You should snap the e90 conversion set while on sale.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Flyer-ECS_Big_Brake_Kit/

Go with pbr ultimate ceramic pads.

Go with slotted, zinc coated.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[zj96sc]

Unless you're doing very very heavy track work or have the cash to spend, I don't know that a BBK is really the best bang for your buck at this point. You likely won't improve stopping distance, if anything a moderate improvement in fade resistance after repeated heavy applications.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I'd agree with that. If you'll be using the BBK on the streets only, I think you'd be perfectly happy (and pleased) with the OEM set up. And you'll save a bunch of money by staying OEM.

My comment, of course, assumes a street setup only. If you'll be doing it for other reasons, then carry on.

[AProudSailor]

Well, I do plan on doing a bit of racing on the highway (between speed traps, of course!), but I've been told that I'm hell on brake pads since I can't drive slow.

Also, the OEM brake dust is really starting to irritate me.

[mimalmo]

Lots of brake dust is common on performance brakes.

[AProudSailor]

Seems like a reasonable price for both, now if I can just find a way to like the yellow housing..

[AProudSailor]

BTW, I'm currently deployed in the Middle East, so I've got nothing better to do in my free time than to plan my upgrades and stockpile tax-free cash