Improving brake pedal feel? E34/ E36 M3 master cylinder?

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DocsM3
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Improving brake pedal feel? E34/ E36 M3 master cylinder?

Post by DocsM3 » Sat Mar 20, 2021 8:34 pm

Evening chaps, has anyone on here retrofitted a BMW E34 or E36 M3 brake master cylinder to their Alpina?

Loving the Alpina so far (1999 B3 3.2) but one major gripe is the brakes. They really do not inspire much confidence :( I've had them bled but that made little difference, still spongy and too much pedal travel for my liking.

I've ordered braided lines and I'll shortly be sending off all four calipers to be rebuilt for peace of mind. Pads and discs were recently changed but I may change the brake pads for a different compound. I came across this video where the chap fits a BMW E34 master cylinder which has dramatically improved his pedal feel. Any thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoEDePBSqeA&t=521s
Mainly M Power & the occasional Alpina

Fast3000
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Re: Improving brake pedal feel? E34/ E36 M3 master cylinder?

Post by Fast3000 » Sat Mar 20, 2021 8:53 pm

From personal experience with an e46 alpina - had the callipers rebuilt with new rubber seals etc. This improved feel quite a bit...
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MrRetrofit
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Re: Improving brake pedal feel? E34/ E36 M3 master cylinder?

Post by MrRetrofit » Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:48 pm

I’d take the opportunity to run e46 330i front brakes. They do make a difference and you don’t need to change the master cylinder. I’ve got them on my black 3.2. People say that they cause a long pedal but I haven’t experienced this when I did it.
96 B3 3.2 coupe 15
96 B3 3.2 coupe 32 (Manual!)
97 B3 3.2 coupe 46 (Sold sept 21)
97 B3 3.2 coupe 55 (dismantled)
98 B3 3.2 coupe 60 (Sold sept 21)
04 B7 4.4 SWB 36 Japanese import
04 B7 4.4 SWB 51 (Sold Dec 23)
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BarryM
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Re: Improving brake pedal feel? E34/ E36 M3 master cylinder?

Post by BarryM » Wed Mar 24, 2021 8:59 pm

I’d check out the E46 forums assuming the brakes are OEM, maybe you’ll get more ideas/suggestions there?
2001 Alpina B10 V8 #185
1982 Krauser MKM1000 #121 - sold

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