Euro E23 Brakes

[John in Simi Valley]

I was at a wrecking yard with a buddy last week and saw a Euro E23.
The brakes looked like E12 format, only more massive.
The rotors seemed a bit smaller than the other 7 series, perhaps same as the E12.
Pads looked to be the same as stock E12.

Question: Are the Euro E23 calipers a direct swap to the E12?
Hoping it's more braking power, made easy.
Any one familiar with these babys?

[the lurker]

wouldn't E34 or e32 big brake upgrade be a better fit?

[DMS]

wouldn't E34 or e32 big brake upgrade be a better fit?

That would be a substancial amount of work since these don't directly fit. I think if you use bmwfans.info you can see if the E23 ones are simular to the alpina and M535i ones. The calipers are the same but with a spacer in the middle providing space for vented rotors.

However if you want to spend the money then there are better solutions for bigger better brakes with the same weight as stock.

An example: http://www.firstfives.org/bboard/viewto ... c&start=45

[the lurker]

What about Regular E28 brakes would those fit? Cause Im sure the kids at Mye28 would give everyone here a pair,because those are pretty much useless,after they go e34.

[DMS]

Nope don't fit directly

[DEMIURGE]

The e23 models were divided in two groups - before and after september 1981.
At first sight, the brakes and the brake rotors are similar to e12, 280X22 as for e12 528i and 280X25 as for e12 535i.

Here is the information regarding the product numbers....

e23 735i Euro - CALIPER LEFT 280X22 up to 09/1981 34111120291
e23 735i Euro - CALIPER RIGHT 280X22 up to 09/1981 34111120292
e23 735i Euro - CALIPER LEFT 280X25 from 09/1981 34111151481
e23 735i Euro - CALIPER RIGHT 280X25 from 09/1981 34111151482

e12 528i USA&Euro - CALIPER LEFT 280X22 from 08/1976 34111119021
e12 528i USA&Euro - CALIPER RIGHT 280X22 from 08/1976 34111119022
e12 535i USA&Euro - CALIPER LEFT 280X25 from 08/1976 34111152211
e12 535i USA&Euro - CALIPER RIGHT 280X25 from 08/1976 34111152212

I'm sorry to say this, but I'm almost sure (95%) that the e12 and e23 (before and after 09/1981) are NOT interchangeable.
They are interchangeable only within the e23 range.
They look similar and they are 4-pot also, but the brackets and bolt holes are different.
Of course - you can use e23 brakes on your e12, but with additional work on them, they are not direct bolt on.
In that case (if you want to upgrade your brakes with additional work) - I think - it is better to use other 4-pot brakes with bigger rotors, for example from e38.

Finally, I want to say, that e12 brakes are very good (better than many new models) and are enough to keep the car (1400 kg) save with high velocity.

[Pierre]

E12 brakes are awesome out of the box. If you are actually running out of brakes, I suggest better pads and some ducting. Unless you track the car and are doing some serious speed, E12 brakes are excellent. E28 brakes on the other hand are not near as good.
Early E12s (75 and 76) had solid rotors. You can get a strut and brake assembly from the later car and get the vented setup. My 76 has stock brakes with some generic pads and I drive the thing hard on canyon runs. I have yet to run out of brakes. But I parted an 81 and will swap out the struts and brakes. Not because I need them, but because I have them. Besides, you can not find shocks to fit the early struts anymore.

[John in Simi Valley]

My brakes are fine as they are.
Just wondering if the Euro e23 components would fit.
I agree the E12 stock brakes are sweet.
The opposing pistons make for SMOOTH stopping.

[MikeB7]

I used the 25mm thick E23 rotors on my Alpina as a closer replacement for the 27mm Alpina discs. The Alpina calipers already had a spacer in them for the thicker discs, so I don't know about any caliper interchangeability. Putting the spacer into a stock set of calipers isn't a horrendous task, though.

Agreed, though - not much improvement to make it worth the bother.