Brake Caliper Seal Replacement - Urgent Advice Needed

[applehero]

Hi All

I have a problem. Took my car in to a BMW specialist to get the rear discs, pads and handbrake shoes replaced.

Got a call just before I ended work, with the guy saying that the piston seal was damaged and is leaking brake fluid. He has ordered a new caliper as its not worth refurbing. Aftermarket parts will be available tomorrow, at a cost of around R1600.

Now my dilema(s):
I can either go for the Aftermarket unit:

1) I am worried that the after market Caliper is not going to have the same clamping force as the factory Caliper - internal dimensions/piston diameters etc may lead to differing Force left versus right.

2) The cost of the unit includes a swap for the old unit - so no refurb. cost tba without the swap.

OR

Get it refurbed:
Repair kit will take 4-5 days to arrive from when order was placed. I might as well do all 4 Calipers at the same time. Cost around R800 per Caliper.

OR

A combination of the two - get the aftermarket part, then get the car away from the Specialist and get all Calipers refurbed. Sell the aftermarket part on Ebay.

I really wanted to go on my my first Track Day here on Saturday, but that is looking less likely.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

[Luben]

Clutch and Brake Centre in Randburg did my rear calipers(330). Cost R900, parts and labour for both sides. They usually have the kit in stock or drive down the road to pick up the kit. I dropped the calipers off around 11:00 and it was ready to fetch at 15:00.

 

[applehero]

Thanks for the input Luben.

I probably should have stated - based in the UK these days.

 

[Luben]

Check with the agents for the kit, you might get lucky and they'll have stock.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[Philip Foglar]

Personally I would be more comfortable with the OEM callipers even if they are refurbished - not saying that there is anything wrong with the aftermarket part, but yes, I would also feel concerned that there would be a performance difference having one OEM and the other aftermarket...

 

[applehero]

Check with the agents for the kit, you might get lucky and they'll have stock.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Apparently the kit is a non-stock item and needs to be ordered from Germany. Also no refund on parts, because the parts have a set shelf life. Costs about R300 per corner.

 

[Luben]

Check with the agents for the kit, you might get lucky and they'll have stock.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Apparently the kit is a non-stock item and needs to be ordered from Germany. Also no refund on parts, because the parts have a set shelf life. Costs about R300 per corner.

I was told the same thing by BMW and then the guy referred me to brake and clutch centre. Good luck.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[applehero]

Well the place put the aftermarket caliper on. The question about using the car at a trackday with that caliper on, is still worrying me.