BMW Brakes & Brake Parts for BMW Z3 (1996-2002)

135/BMW Performance brakes for your E36 and E46! This kit uses the factory BMW Performance Brembo 6-piston calipers (same as 135i) with E46 330-sized rotors (325x25mm / 12.8") for a bolt on braking upgrade. Everything comes complete - 6-piston calipers, rotors, custom caliper bracket, brake lines, and a pad sensor. Choose your preferred brake fluid and brake pads below (or call us for a recommendation).

Brake rotor options -

• OEM Pagid Coated - blank rotors with anti-corrosion coating
• Turner/Centric cross-drilled
• Turner/Centric slotted
• Turner/Cetnric cross-drilled & slotted
• BMW Peformance floating and cross-drilled
• ECS 2-piece floating with cross-drilled and slotted

Brake pad options -

• OEM Textar (same as stock 135i)
• Centric Posi-Quiet - nearly dust-free (Turner preferred!)
• Hawk Ceramic nearly dust-free
• Hawk HPS performance
• StopTech performance

This is a direct fit to all E36 and E46 (not E46 M3) and comes with a lot more braking power than standard (especially on non-M E36). Consequently there will be more front brake bias - the front brakes have more bite than before. During normal street driving all you will notice is that the brakes feel stronger. For track driving we recommend a more aggressive rear pad to balance the brake bias or a StopTech or Brembo big brake kit that has been properly engineered for the chassis (not a retrofit).

Requires 17" wheels and wheel spacers may be required depending on wheel spoke design. E46 Style 68 wheels shown are used with 5mm spacer.

Upgrade your BMW's braking performance with the ECS Big Brake Kit, designed to deliver enhanced stopping power and reduced brake fade. This comprehensive kit includes 6-piston calipers from the E82, E88, and the E9X BMW Performance big brake kit, along with original equipment pads for optimal braking efficiency. The package also incorporates 325x25 ECS 2-piece rotors, ECS caliper brackets, Exact Fit braided stainless reinforced brake lines, essential hardware, and one liter of Pentosin Super DOT4 Brake Fluid.

Key Benefits:

• Enhanced braking performance with reduced brake fade
• Includes 6-piston calipers and original equipment pads for improved efficiency
• Incorporates ECS 2-piece rotors and caliper brackets for better functionality
• Exact Fit braided stainless reinforced brake lines for durability
• Comprehensive hardware and Pentosin Super DOT4 Brake Fluid included

The ECS Big Brake Kit ensures that brake bias remains stable, making it suitable for various applications. For track use, consider pairing with a more aggressive rear pad. These calipers are compatible with most 17” wheels; however, please refer to the attached template for fitment verification. Additionally, follow the attached installation guide for replacing the OEM caliper carrier with the ECS caliper carrier.

These pads were originally equipped on the Euro E46 M3 models and the US M3 ZCP, as well as Euro-spec M models from the 1990s. Owners of the E46 M3 will know that the stock pads are already quite 'aggressive' from the factory with a lot of initial bite. The initial bite was built into the pad to stop criticism of BMW's lack of 'performance' brakes. Instead of building the M models with exotic - and expensive - multi-piston calipers, BMW engineers turned up the braking power in their pads. These pads go a step further as the pads that originally came on the Euro E46 M3 and all E46 M3 ZCPs. For the street, these are excellent brake pads with excellent feel and performance. The only downside is the dust that comes from an organic pad. The problem with many aftermarket and OEM pads is that they do not match the same level of initial bite as the stock OE BMW pads. This can make the brakes feel 'weak' and 'numb' even though the pads are working properly. If you want to maintain your braking feel, these are the best to use.

Although these pads were originally designed for M cars, they fit other models as well, making them a great first-step upgrade for better braking.

Price is for one set of pads - enough to replace the pads on both front calipers.

If you are looking for front brake rotors, 2282445446

These front pads fit the following BMWs:
1988-1994 E32 BMW 735i 735il 740i 740il 750il (more aggressive fitment)
1989-1995 E34 BMW 525i 530i 535i 540i M5 (more aggressive fitment)
1994-1998 E36 BMW M3 (more aggressive fitment than US-spec)
1998-2002 Z3 BMW M Roadster M Coupe (more aggressive fitment)
1999-2005 E46 BMW 330i 330ci 330xi M3 (more aggressive fitment for 330)
2003-2008 E85 E86 BMW Z4 3.0si Z4 M Roadster M Coupe (more aggressive fitment for 3.0si)