E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Drilled, Slotted, Both, or Blank Rotors



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-26-2015, 02:21 PM   #23
Volasko
Colonel
Volasko's Avatar
705
Rep
2,605
Posts

Drives: 06 330i E90, 18 530xe G30
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
For the people who have slotted rotors that said they couldn't hear or feel a difference vs. blanks they are lying or not very observant. I have the ECS rotors and under hard braking situations there is definitely a noticable noise and vibration in the pedal. I personally kinda like it, but others may not. If I were to do it again I would go with blank OEM zimmermans. The geomet coating that ECS claims to stop rust doesn't do jack all if you live in the rust belt. Look at my rotors after only one winter season:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8p...ew?usp=sharing
Appreciate 0
      11-26-2015, 02:58 PM   #24
mike-y
just another bmw douche bag
United_States
195
Rep
3,640
Posts

Drives: 1.9L of fury
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wrecker335d View Post
Is there any type of rotor that's best against warping? My car seems to warp rotors. It might just be the way I bed them though. I was thinking of going with the drilled ones for that reason.
do you use a good torque wrench and torque your lug bolts to spec when putting on the wheels? uneven lug bolt tightening will cause rotors to warp when they get hot.
Appreciate 0
      11-26-2015, 07:52 PM   #25
Cloud9blue
Brigadier General
Cloud9blue's Avatar
United_States
711
Rep
3,251
Posts

Drives: around the potholes
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: NY/NJ/MA

iTrader: (13)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Volasko View Post
For the people who have slotted rotors that said they couldn't hear or feel a difference vs. blanks they are lying or not very observant. I have the ECS rotors and under hard braking situations there is definitely a noticable noise and vibration in the pedal. I personally kinda like it, but others may not. If I were to do it again I would go with blank OEM zimmermans. The geomet coating that ECS claims to stop rust doesn't do jack all if you live in the rust belt. Look at my rotors after only one winter season:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8p...ew?usp=sharing
Strange. The ECS rotors on mine looks pretty good after one winter.
Appreciate 0
      11-26-2015, 09:04 PM   #26
feuer
Major General
feuer's Avatar
United_States
4276
Rep
9,206
Posts

Drives: wife crazy!
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cloud9blue View Post
Strange. The ECS rotors on mine looks pretty good after one winter.
Two possible reasons: you don't drive as much as he does on salty streets during winter and when you go to track all the little rust build up that might be there simply burns off.

Happy Thanksgiving fellow e90posters!
Appreciate 0
      11-27-2015, 06:00 AM   #27
Fundguy1
Major General
Fundguy1's Avatar
2032
Rep
8,339
Posts

Drives: 335 e93
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Orlando, fl

iTrader: (0)

I seriously didn't notice anything different and I know eery rattle and hum. Maybe the ones you got are different? This is rotor set number 4 for me and I have a vert. First 3 sets were oem.
Appreciate 0
      11-27-2015, 06:48 AM   #28
elh0102
Captain
15
Rep
751
Posts

Drives: 2009 335i coupe
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Volasko View Post
For the people who have slotted rotors that said they couldn't hear or feel a difference vs. blanks they are lying or not very observant. I have the ECS rotors and under hard braking situations there is definitely a noticable noise and vibration in the pedal.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8p...ew?usp=sharing
Should not be the case. I used slotted rotors a lot when I was active in track schools, as well as some OE Porsche drilled rotors. You should not feel any vibration.
Appreciate 0
      11-27-2015, 06:56 AM   #29
elh0102
Captain
15
Rep
751
Posts

Drives: 2009 335i coupe
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wrecker335d View Post
Is there any type of rotor that's best against warping? My car seems to warp rotors. It might just be the way I bed them though. I was thinking of going with the drilled ones for that reason.
Should not make any difference. If your lug bolts are properly tightened, you could have an issue with the hub itself. Brake rotors very rarely warp. If you are over-heating the pad compound, the transfer to the rotors can build and cause vibration.
Appreciate 0
      11-27-2015, 08:09 AM   #30
Cloud9blue
Brigadier General
Cloud9blue's Avatar
United_States
711
Rep
3,251
Posts

Drives: around the potholes
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: NY/NJ/MA

iTrader: (13)

Quote:
Originally Posted by elh0102
Quote:
Originally Posted by Volasko View Post
For the people who have slotted rotors that said they couldn't hear or feel a difference vs. blanks they are lying or not very observant. I have the ECS rotors and under hard braking situations there is definitely a noticable noise and vibration in the pedal.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8p...ew?usp=sharing
Should not be the case. I used slotted rotors a lot when I was active in track schools, as well as some OE Porsche drilled rotors. You should not feel any vibration.
It all depends on the pads used. OEM pads makes no difference on mine, but with aggressive track pads, slotted rotors are significantly louder under heavy braking.
__________________
09 BMW E92 335i: Top Mount EFR 7670 / Dinan / AP Racing / Wavetrac / TC Kline [Full Mod List]
07 BMW R1200S: Shine Yellow / Akrapovic / Ohlins
19 Volvo V90 T6: R-Design / Bowers & Wilkins / Polestar Optimization
Appreciate 0
      11-27-2015, 08:13 AM   #31
david in germany
Lieutenant Colonel
730
Rep
1,815
Posts

Drives: 118i, 335i and 328i
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Mannheim Germany

iTrader: (2)

I once read an article on porche brake development. There was a need for a diameter increase for every percentage of loss of surface area because of cross drilling. Porche continued with the standard cross drilling because people associated cross drilled rotors with higher performance but the opposite was the truth. This is the reason most porche need such big rotors. If they would stop drilling, they could reduce the diameter to get the same stopping capability.
After I read the article, standard rotors only on my cars.
__________________
2009 118i Monaco Blue "Maximillion"
2009 335i Saphire Black M Sport "Leopold" Cobb stage 2 aggressive tune, Mishimoto FMIC, Cobb charge pipe, Cobb catted down pipes, Forge diverter valves, BMS inlets and DCI, Cyba scoops and M Individual Audio retrofit and M3 gauge cluster retrofit.
2011 328i Titan Silver M Sport "Franzel" <--Wife's car
Appreciate 0
      11-27-2015, 08:18 AM   #32
elh0102
Captain
15
Rep
751
Posts

Drives: 2009 335i coupe
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cloud9blue View Post
It all depends on the pads used. OEM pads makes no difference on mine, but with aggressive track pads, slotted rotors are significantly louder under heavy braking.
Yes, but the track pad compound is much louder with any rotor. There may something involved in your specific case that would result in the slotted rotors making more noise. I'm no expert, but that was never my experience.
Appreciate 0
      11-27-2015, 09:14 AM   #33
feuer
Major General
feuer's Avatar
United_States
4276
Rep
9,206
Posts

Drives: wife crazy!
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by elh0102 View Post
Yes, but the track pad compound is much louder with any rotor. There may something involved in your specific case that would result in the slotted rotors making more noise. I'm no expert, but that was never my experience.
True, noise, harshness, and vibration levels will depend and will be affected by the rest of the setup: caliper bushings solid vs rubber, control arm bushings non M vs M, shockS and coil, strut and shock mounts, subframe bushings and etc...
Also, the person's sensibility and ability to determine that there is such noise, harshness or vibration.
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2015, 11:57 AM   #34
Jeff@TopGearSolutions
Jeff@TopGearSolutions's Avatar
United_States
3441
Rep
79,211
Posts

Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com

iTrader: (37)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mike-y View Post
for a street car, it doesn't matter much, just get what you like.

That said, I've seen drilled rotors crack during track use, so personally, I always run blanks. I just get the centric premium rotors - they are cheap, and the rotor hat is painted black, so it won't get that rusty film on it.
I agree with this, for a street car it's pretty moot and mostly looks.

I personally run a slotted 2 piece rotor on my C6Z. I chose this over the drilled option because the drilled came from the factory and were notorious for cracking around the drill area from stress. Drilled rotors also have less brake pad area.

So I wanted the slotted since they would be stronger and have more braking surface area. I beat the snot out of them and they handle it like a champ.

I tell most of my customers who ask to go for slotted for a slight upgrade over stock to dissipate heat/gas.

If you want the look of drilled then that is of course fine too, I'm just an advocate of keeping the most material on the rotor for braking force and strength.

That being said, good drilled rotors should be safe too.

Since someone remarked on vibrations with slotted rotors, I have to attest there is absolutely no abnormalities or vibrations. Sounds like a bad rotor. I'm not too familiar with ECS quality in regards to rotors.

I personally run DBA 2 piece rotors and I had stoptech slotted on my other vehicle. No vibrations at all.
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2015, 10:02 PM   #35
avocet
Major
252
Rep
1,157
Posts

Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vancouver bc

iTrader: (0)

FYI slotted rotors loose pad contact area as well.

But I would think the increase in psi of the pads with reduced area would offset any loss of area. The diameter of the rotor doesn't change so the braking force should be the same.

For the street my vanity gets the best of me and i run drilled. They haven't cracked and i actually like the feedback/noise the drilled rotors give(slotted rotors do this too).
Appreciate 0
      12-01-2015, 09:01 AM   #36
Camman
What am I doing here?
United_States
190
Rep
463
Posts

Drives: 07 328i 6MT
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Houston

iTrader: (0)

So regardless of which route I go, of the options should be susceptible to warping, correct?

I've never experience warping on any rotors on this car and it's been pleasurable compared to when I had cheap rotors on my 97 camry that were warped after a week lol

I kind of want to do drilled rotors simply for the look of it and I should be safe since I don't do any track driving.
__________________
N52 : 6MT : ZSP : ZPP : BC Racing Coilovers : BMW PE
Appreciate 0
      12-01-2015, 01:03 PM   #37
hongsc
Captain
United_States
153
Rep
982
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 328i
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Amazon Prime

iTrader: (1)

Does everyone change out pads and rotors at the same time? I'm at 53K miles and the sensor still reads 3100 miles to go but that was 3000 miles ago, so I'm thinking of changing them out. Plus the rears are making noise.
__________________
2011 BMW 328i Space Grey|18" Avant Garde m359|Michelin Pilot Sport A/S2|Eibach Pro-Kit Springs|Koni FSD|M3 U+L Control Arms|Lux Angel Eyes|Stoptech|Hawk 5.0|aFe Race Pipes|BMW PE
Appreciate 0
      12-01-2015, 04:00 PM   #38
Fundguy1
Major General
Fundguy1's Avatar
2032
Rep
8,339
Posts

Drives: 335 e93
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Orlando, fl

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hongsc View Post
Does everyone change out pads and rotors at the same time? I'm at 53K miles and the sensor still reads 3100 miles to go but that was 3000 miles ago, so I'm thinking of changing them out. Plus the rears are making noise.
Pads as needed. If you change rotors do pads too. If your making noise it's probably to late to do just pads. The rotors will be scored more than likely. You need to swap before they squeek. Squeeking means your down to the metal in the pads and metal on metal puts the groves in the rotors killing them.
Appreciate 0
      12-01-2015, 10:59 PM   #39
hongsc
Captain
United_States
153
Rep
982
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 328i
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Amazon Prime

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fundguy1 View Post
Pads as needed. If you change rotors do pads too. If your making noise it's probably to late to do just pads. The rotors will be scored more than likely. You need to swap before they squeek. Squeeking means your down to the metal in the pads and metal on metal puts the groves in the rotors killing them.
Great. Now to order some parts. And ordering from Amazon since I have some credit/gift cards.

http://www.amazon.com/Centric-127-34...t+brake+rotors

http://www.amazon.com/127-34078R-Spo...MEEEAVC4JZ2V44

For the pads not sure which one to pick

Hawk Performance HB621B.638 HPS 5.0 Disc Brake Pad
Akebono EUR918A EURO Ultra-Premium Ceramic Front Brake Pad Set For

URO brake sensors

Looks like I only need one of each for the front and rear.

Any changes or suggestions? How about SS lines? Also got a quote of $100 for the installation. Seems like a fair price.
__________________
2011 BMW 328i Space Grey|18" Avant Garde m359|Michelin Pilot Sport A/S2|Eibach Pro-Kit Springs|Koni FSD|M3 U+L Control Arms|Lux Angel Eyes|Stoptech|Hawk 5.0|aFe Race Pipes|BMW PE
Appreciate 0
      12-01-2015, 11:19 PM   #40
04gto
Private First Class
04gto's Avatar
107
Rep
161
Posts

Drives: 2023 330e
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (5)

Cross drilled Zimmerman w/ Akebono

I have had the cross drilled Zimmerman on front with Akebono pads for 10k miles. They are at least as quiet if not more quiet than the stock set up. Power seems just as good only more progressive (smoother initial bite) and they leave ZERO brake dust. I highly recommend this set up for FBO DD use. I will be going with the same set up in the back when the time comes.
__________________
v12 Flash, Turbonator, The Tornado, FD47 power booster, Turbo sound whistler, Nitrogen filled tires, The Ghost Pro, Joe Gibbs BR30, AFE DAS, Nut blast
Appreciate 0
      12-07-2015, 09:32 AM   #41
Camman
What am I doing here?
United_States
190
Rep
463
Posts

Drives: 07 328i 6MT
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Houston

iTrader: (0)

So I'm seeing different size rotors on some of the sites. Will 328i's fit 300x24 and 312x24?
__________________
N52 : 6MT : ZSP : ZPP : BC Racing Coilovers : BMW PE
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:03 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST