Project E36 323is: Building the Poor Man’s M3, Part 3 – Brakes, Wheels, Tires

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The seemingly simple looking mounting brackets are actually very nice anodized billet aluminum (6061-T6) with stainless steel studs instead of bolts like many other manufacturers use.  These are application-specific, so fit is absolutely perfect and the overall quality and build make them strong and durable.
 
The StopTech brake lines have a coated Teflon inner core, which is covered by the stainless steel braiding to help prevent expansion of the hose and allow for much more positive pedal feel.  The clear outer layer of PVC adds further protection against abrasion.
 
 
This is our rear “kit” minus the calipers.  Those aren't shown because we went with OEM calipers in the rear, but decided to get rebuilt units and painted them with G2 black caliper paint in order to better match the black StopTechs up front. 
 
 
The piston engineering makes brake bias pretty much perfect with the ST-41s up front and rebuilt OEM units in the back, so we also stayed with the same brake pad compounds in the rear, the StopTech Street Performance (prefix 309).  Quality and fit are equal to the OE pads, but better in every performance aspect, as previously mentioned.
 
 
Because the stainless steel brake lines have such a positive effect on pedal feel, it really made no sense to stay with the stock rubber lines in the rear, so those got upgraded to StopTech units during the overhaul, too.
 

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