[rvtrcr]

Are M 235i brakes and 228i M sport THP brakes the same? Seems like I read somewhere that the calipers are the same, But 235i rotors are larger..

[bthomas518]

They are the same, both 340mm front rotors.

M-Performance brakes (Red, Orange, or Yellow) have larger, 370mm front rotors.

[Maynard]

Brake options are one of those places where BMW plays 'crazy labels' game to drive us all nuts; even the parts suppliers usually have misinfo or incomplete info to distinguish these. IIRC, there are two sizes of 'blue' Brembo brake sets (I think the other is 320 or 330mm?). I'm told all of these use essentially the same caliper body, but not interchangeable because the mounting arms differ for the different diameters (if buying used I'd learn the part #'s, as they probably look almost identical and you can't trust that sellers know what they actually have). Including the Msport aftermarkets, they all use the same pads. I love my Msport upgrade, but I was coming from the stock 228 'sliders' - if you already have the Brembos there isn't much of a performance benefit; to me it wouldn't justify the cost, or needing to run 18s on track (17"ers save a few # per wheel).

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Maynard

If you already have the Brembos there isn't much of a performance benefit; to me it wouldn't justify the cost, or needing to run 18s on track (17"ers save a few # per wheel).

The OEM 370 BBK is also rather annoying, the dimples produce a tick tick tick noise and they slots / dimples are not directional meaning they point forward on one side of the car and backward on the other. Bothers my OCD. I got the kit for my F31 that had the crap grey brakes. For those with the Brembos the smart money play is to upgrade pads, fluid and lines. Beyond that you're looking at cosmetics versus performance, which if that's your thing it's fine as long as you know what you're spending your money on.

[Maynard]

You know I had to go out and check this, and damned if you aren't right about them. I guess I'm not as OCD as I thought (or perhaps it was the lingering consumer glow of having just dropped the cost of a used Honda on a brake set). I guess it's time to mortgage the house on a set of carbon ceramics.....(or some ECT ).

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Maynard

You know I had to go out and check this, and damned if you aren't right about them. I guess I'm not as OCD as I thought (or perhaps it was the lingering consumer glow of having just dropped the cost of a used Honda on a brake set). I guess it's time to mortgage the house on a set of carbon ceramics.....(or some ECT ).

All is not lost, the caliper is what you really need and the part that stays with the car. Wait til you're due for consumables like rotors and pads and ping me, I have a shopping list of stuff my experts recommend.