Brembo Big Brake Kits for BMW E46 M3 (2001-2006)

This page collects every Brembo big brake kit we offer for the 2001-2006 BMW E46 M3, front and rear, in GT, GT-S, GT-R and PISTA form. The E46 M3 is a car people keep and take to the track, and the S54 straight-six gives the factory brakes plenty of heat to deal with on a fast lap. A Brembo system replaces the calipers and discs at the axle you choose with a matched caliper, 2-piece disc and pad package. Pick the kit, then the finish and disc type, in the selectors above.

Want to compare other cars and systems? Browse all Brembo big brake kits by vehicle.

Video: Brembo GT Kit

Brembo's own short overview of its GT big brake kits. The calipers, finishes and discs in the video are examples; the kit you get is the one you select above.

Choosing Your Kit

• Kit: front kits are listed first, then rear. Each name gives the system, piston count and disc size. Up front you can choose a GT 4-piston kit on 355x32mm discs, a GT 6-piston kit on 355x32mm or 380x32mm discs, or one of two PISTA race kits on 355x35mm discs (4-piston billet or 6-piston forged caliper). At the rear there are two GT 4-piston kits on 345x28mm discs and one PISTA kit. Most E46 owners start with a front kit. A rear kit keeps the brake balance even if the car sees regular track days.
• Two rear GT kits: both use a 4-piston caliper on a 345x28mm 2-piece disc. Brembo lists them as two caliper families, coded C and P in its catalog. The C caliper kit comes in black, red or silver. The P caliper kit adds yellow plus the GT-S and GT-R finishes.
• Finish: the front GT 4-piston kit and the rear C caliper kit come in black, red or silver. The GT 6-piston kits and the rear P caliper kit add yellow, GT-S (black hard-anodized) and GT-R (billet-machined and nickel-plated). PISTA kits come in one standard finish. Finishes a kit does not offer cannot be selected for that kit.
• Disc Type: Drilled discs suit street cars and wet-weather bite. Type 1 Slotted is a good street and occasional-track choice. Type 3 Slotted is aimed at regular track days. Type 5 Slotted is offered on the PISTA kits for racing.

Features

• 4-piston and 6-piston Brembo calipers, matched to 2-piece discs from 345x28mm to 380x32mm on this car
• 2-piece disc construction: an iron friction ring on a lighter aluminum bell
• GT caliper finishes plus GT-S (black, hard-anodized) and GT-R (billet-machined, nickel-plated) on the kits that list them
• PISTA race calipers with disc springs and a centering ring as standard
• Every kit is a complete axle set; kits marked for factory lines reuse the original brake lines

What's Included

• GT, GT-S and GT-R kits: two Brembo calipers, two 2-piece discs (iron friction ring on an aluminum bell, supplied assembled), a set of Brembo pads, stainless braided brake lines unless the kit is listed as reusing the factory lines, caliper brackets and mounting hardware.
• PISTA kits: two PISTA calipers, two 2-piece race discs, pads, brackets and hardware; brake lines unless the kit is listed as reusing the factory lines.

Specifications

GT kits: add the finish code to the base part number for the exact part: 1 black, 2 red, 3 silver, 5 yellow, 7 fluorescent yellow, S GT-S, R GT-R. Replacement and upgrade pads for these calipers are sold separately.

FAQ

Which Brembo kit is right for my E46 M3?
For a street car that sees the odd track day, the 6-piston GT front kit on 355x32mm or 380x32mm discs is the usual choice. For frequent track use, add a rear kit and consider GT-S, GT-R or PISTA. PISTA is built for racing and hard track work.

Do I need the front and rear kits?
No. A front kit is a common first step on the E46 M3. Adding the rear kit keeps the brake balance even on a car that is driven hard on track.

Will it fit my wheels?
Big brake kits need wheel clearance, and the 380mm front discs need more room than the 355mm discs. Check your wheel size and offset before ordering, or send us your wheel specs and we will check them against Brembo's clearance data.

Fitment Notes

All kits on this page are listed by Brembo for the M3 (E46), 2001-2006. The PISTA rear system is listed with parking-brake provision. Where a rear system keeps a drum-in-hat parking brake inside the aluminum bell, Brembo rates it for parking and emergency use only, not for use while the car is moving. The GT-R 6-piston caliper needs different wheel clearance from the GT 6-piston caliper. Brembo GT systems are designed for cars at original ride height. Many PISTA installs need the factory dust shield modified or removed.

Each kit fits the vehicles listed below. Confirm wheel clearance before ordering.

Fitment