Slotted -Drilled Rotors?

[jimwww]

I just drove up a windy hilly drive for 1.5 hours both ways (incredible fun) in the rain today and I had to step on the brakes three times before getting a good bite and slow the car down.. after driving for twenty minutes and not using them.. the first time you step on em almost nothing happened..

Odd but this is the second worst car I have had that happen with. My 1988 Mazda RX7 was worse.

Anywho..
I will put on slotted or drilled but which ones?

[rmxpete]

that is some what strange because as far as I know BMWs especcially E36's have incredible braking power 1.14gs if I'm correct, Slotted is probably the best brakes you can buy unless you are semi racing on roads? in short when brake pads get hot the surface will glaze over and there for get lesser brake performance, slotted brakes will usually over come this, unless they get really hot then you will need cross drilled which are much more effective then slotted both for cooling and stoping the brake pad from glazzing! however these are rather exspensive ways to go for a car that I belive has one of the best braking performance's in its class!!
how about changing to a higher grade pads, on the other hand you can get the thrill out of telling everyone that you have cross drilled brakes

[jimwww]

Well it was 17c today - 60f and not hot out but raining most of the day... water would build up and then nothing.. When it does bite however.. it is incredible.. stops very quickly..

Slots it is.. (later this month)

[El Presidente]

I highly suggest against upgrading to slotted for better wet/cpld braking. While slotted brakes do function better at temp, when they are cold they don't grab as well and when they are wet, there is less surface to grab. So if you had problems now, they will only be amplified by the change.

[jimwww]

So what do I do?
It is unacceptible the way it is now. n
Obviously there is water build up.. and the water is not getting out until after a couple of pumps on the brakes..
Slotted or drilled I am thinking will create a path for the water to go somewhere other than being held in the brakes..

[El Presidente]

Water buildup between the rotor and the pad is usually marginal. The heat from the egine, pads and rotors usually keep them pretty dry even in wet conditions. You need to check the condition of your pads and rotors, as they may be due for replacement. You may also need to bleed the brakes if they hold after a few pumps.

[Kevin325i]

Sounds like you glazzed your pads. If they get too hot from repeaded long hard braking the friction surface of the pad will get a glaze coating on it. When that happens you've ruined the pads.

Slotted rotors are made so that when you step really hard on the pads, it cuts the glaze off.

[rmxpete]

hey listen to these guys before you buy rotors they know what there talkn about

[steve325IS]

hey,
just did a brake job on my ride. Pagid brakes and new rotors. These really really do help, esp if you like in florida where its 100 degrees and drive fast...

And a little red paint makes sure people look at your rims..hahaha

another edit..fu$k free image hosting.they deleting my pic.. try another one

[buuhh99]

steve the image isn't working

go with drilled. Slotted cut your pads so u get good braking power but your pads wont last nearly as long. Cross drilled rotors are best in my openin because the distrubute heat better and have longer pad life. This is important if u have expensive pads

[steve325IS]

buuhh99- thanks
those bastards at free image hosting..no hotlinks allowed..bs

fixed it now. Looks ok no?

[jimwww]

Looks great.. I would like to paint mine silver or dark green- maybe gloss black.
When you paint how long does the paint take till dry (in other words - how long is the car out of commission when you paint your rotors and put everything back)

[bitcore]

I'd go with standard vented rotors. (no drills or slots. Vented instead of a solid disc of steel)
The car wont stop untill you put the calipers back on and re-bleed the brakes and stuff... after that it will stop :P

I think there's a reason BMW chose vented discs instead of slotted or crossdrilled, even on their M cars.

[steve325IS]

jimwww- I really didnt take the wheel off to paint it.

I used a small paint brush and sprayed the red paint into a plasic cup. The brush fits thru the rim spokes so it was very easy. No need to remove the wheels.
In the FL heat, it dried in about 1 hr.

[bitcore]

whatever you do, don't do what this guy did