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I've had no clutch issues when I was making progress to the MOT. 
What have I done?!
- Thread starter InvaderGIR
- Start date
I've had no clutch issues when I was making progress to the MOT.
You need to drive it like muffin stole it.
You need to drive it like muffin stole it.
When he dumped the clutch after bouncing it off the rev limiter repeatedly and tried to do a rolling dohnut/burnout it didn't like it
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Soooo today I got the car in the garage (sod working on the brakes in the rain and sod sleep after night shift. 
Took apart the driver's side caliper...
That's the state of the piston, the rust in the dip is 'ok' (not ideal but not too big a problem), the rust on the chromed surface is balls! Basically means new piston time as whilst it's possible to clean it up a little it will rust more and will see the piston being 'sticky' and seizing later on.
Tried getting out the passenger side one...it's come out a bit, then got stuck...joy, so it's a case of sourcing some calipers that are hopefully in a much better state. I could refurb these ones, but the seal kit is £25, pistons can't be sourced from BMW, have to get them from a company I know and I don't know the price of them, so it is much easier to just get replacement calipers (no, not brand new).
Took apart the driver's side caliper...
That's the state of the piston, the rust in the dip is 'ok' (not ideal but not too big a problem), the rust on the chromed surface is balls! Basically means new piston time as whilst it's possible to clean it up a little it will rust more and will see the piston being 'sticky' and seizing later on.
Tried getting out the passenger side one...it's come out a bit, then got stuck...joy, so it's a case of sourcing some calipers that are hopefully in a much better state. I could refurb these ones, but the seal kit is £25, pistons can't be sourced from BMW, have to get them from a company I know and I don't know the price of them, so it is much easier to just get replacement calipers (no, not brand new).
Brake upgrades (ie replacement calipers and the like) are for losers, and most of the time make things worse in the grand scheme of things. That said, I can't see how getting replacement calipers will be much better, as you could end up with the same issue in 5 minutes. I'd get the pistons and rebuild yours properly.
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Time for a brake upgrade tbh.
What's the point when it's overbraked as it is. The iS has the same brakes (front) as the 328i at 286mm, upgrade is to e46 300mm ones which requires...discs and pads, not calipers.
Indeed, 'upgrading' is wasted to be quite honest, especially as I don't drive on the limit all the time requiring massive stopping power.
As for replacements, I don't know, that's a very big issue, I'm going to phone the company that sell pistons and see how much they charge, although I expect it to be more than I'm willing to pay...which puts me in the position of needing replacement calipers, either new or used.
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I don't know what to do. I can send mine off and get refurbed units for £44 a piece before shipping or spend £25 on the seals and £35 on new pistons or £10 a piece on replacements from a scrappies.
First option is ~£100 all in after shipping and I have to send mine back, but I have guaranteed fully working calipers that aren't caked in rust etc.
Second is ~£60 all in, should be fresh and fine in my old calipers, but dirty calipers, so may not be.
Third is ~£30 all in, but possibility of them sticking and they will likely be dirty too.
First option is ~£100 all in after shipping and I have to send mine back, but I have guaranteed fully working calipers that aren't caked in rust etc.
Second is ~£60 all in, should be fresh and fine in my old calipers, but dirty calipers, so may not be.
Third is ~£30 all in, but possibility of them sticking and they will likely be dirty too.
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I've decided!
Spoke to local motor factors...£85 a piece for them, but that's a case of I can pick them up at 4pm, not wait 4 days!
12 month guarantee and I know the guys and parts from them are very good having dealt with them for years with other cars. Going to hurt my wallet but it has to be done to be honest.
Spoke to local motor factors...£85 a piece for them, but that's a case of I can pick them up at 4pm, not wait 4 days!
12 month guarantee and I know the guys and parts from them are very good having dealt with them for years with other cars. Going to hurt my wallet but it has to be done to be honest.
I've decided!
Spoke to local motor factors...£85 a piece for them, but that's a case of I can pick them up at 4pm, not wait 4 days!
12 month guarantee and I know the guys and parts from them are very good having dealt with them for years with other cars. Going to hurt my wallet but it has to be done to be honest.
Best and most fail-safe option to be honest - this way you know they're going to be good - and in the unlikely event they stick/fail, you can simply return them.
To be fair I think £170 for a new pair of calipers isn't too bad
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Haha win!
Just picked up my nice shiney refurbed calipers...including brand new standard pads...£157. I was told £85 a piece for the calipers and didn't bother to ask the price of the pads. Turns out calipers were £55 each (pre VAT) and £22 for pads (again, pre VAT). My local motorfactors is so awesome.
Just picked up my nice shiney refurbed calipers...including brand new standard pads...£157. I was told £85 a piece for the calipers and didn't bother to ask the price of the pads. Turns out calipers were £55 each (pre VAT) and £22 for pads (again, pre VAT). My local motorfactors is so awesome.
Not bad at all - you should refurb your calipers in your own time - get the calipers shot blasted etc. and then chuck them on eBay as refurbished or simply keep them as spares, that way you at least know how
If its £55 a calliper then im gunna guess its a referb unit which means he had to hand in old ones to get surcharge back (thats where the £85 cost is)
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You are correct...but the surcharge was £10...which makes no sense to the initial price I was given. I was told 'there are two units, one for 12mm discs one for 22mm' mine are vented so are 22mm and the guy said that it'd be £85 each and then surcharge on top if I didn't take mine in there and then. As it happens I was charged much less. I don't know why, but the guy I dealt with when I went in I've dealt with for years for Pug parts and he's a decent guy and knows what he is doing, don't think the guy on the phone knew, certainly didn't speak to the chap I know.
Been bleeding the brakes this evening with the hand of my brother all sorted and it stops well, just hope it's well enough for the MOT, will try and book one tomorrow.
One for Janesy...
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Poor MGB
GTinnitblud
It's 'being restored' which basically means it's sitting in the garage till my brother has time to work on it...which is never thanks to his girlfriend.
I'm not sure either, but the iS doesn't really need an upgrade, as standard it has the same brakes as the 325i and the 328i which stop them well and they have more power. I'm happy to stick with these for now, only upgrades I'd do would be pads to fast road ones if I really felt the need...but I don't.
Puzzles me a bit too - I always found the brakes excellent on my humble old 318i.....I'm not sure either, but the iS doesn't really need an upgrade, as standard it has the same brakes as the 325i and the 328i which stop them well and they have more power. I'm happy to stick with these for now, only upgrades I'd do would be pads to fast road ones if I really felt the need...but I don't.
That said, they are truly awful if you want to press on with the 328i Auto - how I wish I had a manual at times..... - Mine could certainly do with an upgrade - green stuff pads perhaps? no engine braking & heavy right foot is not good and its embarrasing pulling up with a burning smell coming from your brakes!
