Seeking opinions

Mr Breeze · 08-11-2010, 10:18 AM

A somewhat polarizing topic - painted brake calipers.

Been considering painting the calipers on the Z4, but before I do so, I covered the calipers in red tape so I could get a better visual. I've attached pics and seeking your opinions....not that it will change my point of view....lol

One thing I know for sure is I will be replacing those gawd awful orange markers on the front fenders with some body colored ones!

So considering the mono-chromatic scheme of the car and the open wheel design I like the splash of color that painted calipers provide.

Ok, time for you all to chime in...I can handle opposing opinions.

Vintage · 08-11-2010, 10:44 AM

do what you want but I tend to like the silver Brembos with red lettering or black Brembos with white lettering - although you cannot go wrong with red

Rafale · 08-11-2010, 11:17 AM

Gives the car a Porsche touch...

T89 · 08-11-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

do what you want but I tend to like the silver Brembos with red lettering or black Brembos with white lettering - although you cannot go wrong with red

+1

IMO red is too much.

T

BlueZ4AZ · 08-11-2010, 12:20 PM

I do not believe the red calipers do anything to enhance the look of the car. For whatever the reason, in that silver color, with those wheels and that caliper style.... painting the calipers doesn't improve the look.

It does not make the car look worse. It's just that it does not make the car look any better either. It just looks different.

Memphis1 · 08-11-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Breeze

I've attached pics and seeking your opinions....not that it will change my point of view.

so why bother...

Mr Breeze · 08-11-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memphis1

so why bother...

There should have been a LOL after my "...not that it will change my point of view" comment.

I'm asking for candid, honest opinions. I don't take offense to a different point of view - if I did, I wouldn't have even asked.

I welcome the various opinions.....keep 'em coming!

marwol · 08-11-2010, 01:12 PM

Phoenixyellow ist also a nice color (this ist the color of the BMW Performance Brake calipers).

kojack · 08-11-2010, 01:50 PM

Dude I dig the red. I think its a nice touch of color.

E89Tardis · 08-11-2010, 01:58 PM

To me, anything that takes attention away or distracts from the graceful lines and flow of the car is not so good. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority here but I love the job they did on the body of this thing. Could be the prettiest car in the world.... That includes Porsche's Lambo's, Ferrari's and yes, even that super sleek infinity. They're all trying too hard to be exotic and rich or exclusive.

I think our cars have a simple beauty. An effortless elegance that doesn't try to compete to be the best of everything. It's just the best of what it is; a unique blend of beauty, performance, fun and good feelings.

I like the debadging. Always thought those chrome bits took away from the flow.

Personally, anything that draws the eye away from the curvatures of the hood and the hips is a minus. I think when I look at your pictures, the first thing I see are red calipers.... same thing happens with a lot of custom wheels I've seen. You look at the car and all you see is an awesome set of rims as if the car itself was just an after thought. Sometimes it's neat to bring out the mechanical intricacies of thing, but that gray makes me think of the classic art of a timeless black and white photo. The red just ain't happening for me.

Bottom line, it's your baby and if you like it, then you should absolutely do it. I'll still think it's one of the nicest cars on the road.

...Hope you didn't find my opinion too opinionated....

Silver-Bolt · 08-11-2010, 02:25 PM

To me the red painted stock calipers look tacky/cheesy. The detract from the classy look of the car. Go BBK or leave then alone. Also when painted they will look horrible within a few miles of use.

Wraith. · 08-11-2010, 03:12 PM

..You already know what i think....

teezee · 08-11-2010, 03:49 PM

IMO, painting the calipers red is more about having them appear to be something they are not than enhancing the look of the car. The stock BMW calipers are silver, not red. The red calipers are somewhat of a signature Brembo "look". Taking the stock BMW calipers and painting them just looks too "poseur" to me.

YMMV.

Mr Breeze · 08-11-2010, 03:52 PM

BMW's own performance brakes.

Dr Stig 2 · 08-11-2010, 05:56 PM

I'd put the roof down.

BlueZ4AZ · 08-11-2010, 05:57 PM

Flight attendand Steven Slater is an idiot. That's my opinion.

...and I already gave an opinion on the calipers.

Mr Breeze · 08-11-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

Flight attendand Steven Slater is an idiot. That's my opinion.

Ok, I suppose I had that coming.

Thank you all for your opinions on the brake calipers.

If anyone else (who hasn't already commented) has a pov on the calipers, feel free to weigh in.

BlueZ4AZ · 08-11-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Breeze

Ok, I suppose I had that coming.

Thank you all for your opinions on the brake calipers.

If anyone else (who hasn't already commented) has a pov on the calipers, feel free to weigh in.

I had such a strong opinion that I could not resist the open opportunity to go off topic for a second. I did not want to hijack the thread though.

teagueAMX · 08-11-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Breeze

Ok, I suppose I had that coming.

Thank you all for your opinions on the brake calipers.

If anyone else (who hasn't already commented) has a pov on the calipers, feel free to weigh in.

I appreciate the Z4 lines, which are absolutely stunning and timeless. But I also appreciate the beautiful lines of a Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari California, etc. If you look at those cars, colored calipers is a common option along with fender Scuderia shields, that are bright yellow of all colors.

I believe the red is good and certainly doesn't detract from the car's appearance. Black with white letters would be fine, too. Silver is a "what's the point" color for the calipers IMO.

Go with your heart.

Alext · 08-12-2010, 12:46 AM

Na man don't do it. I would be deeply embarrassed to be driving around with painted calipers if the calipers were not anything special. The calipers on the Z4 arent exactly the 6-pot beauties that are on the 135i for example. It's something I did when I was a teenager modding cars. As someone said, it's trying to be something it's not.

Rafale · 08-12-2010, 01:41 AM

The Z does not need the Porsche look to shine...

MDLFCS · 08-12-2010, 01:46 AM

I thought the red doesn't really give much attention to the car. Like it is too dark.

Maybe yellow or white or even bright silver...

08-11-2010, 10:18 AM	#1
Mr Breeze Private First Class 22 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1)	Seeking opinions A somewhat polarizing topic - painted brake calipers. Been considering painting the calipers on the Z4, but before I do so, I covered the calipers in red tape so I could get a better visual. I've attached pics and seeking your opinions....not that it will change my point of view....lol One thing I know for sure is I will be replacing those gawd awful orange markers on the front fenders with some body colored ones! So considering the mono-chromatic scheme of the car and the open wheel design I like the splash of color that painted calipers provide. Ok, time for you all to chime in...I can handle opposing opinions. Attached Images
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08-11-2010, 10:44 AM	#2
Vintage Colonel 381 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	do what you want but I tend to like the silver Brembos with red lettering or black Brembos with white lettering - although you cannot go wrong with red
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08-11-2010, 11:17 AM	#3
Rafale Zed Quatre 24 Rep 410 Posts Drives: '11 Z4 35is & '11 535xi GT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR. USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 535i GT xDrive [0.00] 2011 Z4 35is [7.00]	Gives the car a Porsche touch...
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08-11-2010, 12:20 PM	#5
BlueZ4AZ Go SU 34 Rep 902 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	I do not believe the red calipers do anything to enhance the look of the car. For whatever the reason, in that silver color, with those wheels and that caliper style.... painting the calipers doesn't improve the look. It does not make the car look worse. It's just that it does not make the car look any better either. It just looks different.
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08-11-2010, 01:12 PM	#8
marwol Private 6 Rep 52 Posts Drives: BMW 1 series Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Phoenixyellow ist also a nice color (this ist the color of the BMW Performance Brake calipers).
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08-11-2010, 01:50 PM	#9
kojack Enlisted Member 0 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4sDrive30i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Dude I dig the red. I think its a nice touch of color.
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08-11-2010, 01:58 PM	#10
E89Tardis Private First Class 6 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	To me, anything that takes attention away or distracts from the graceful lines and flow of the car is not so good. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority here but I love the job they did on the body of this thing. Could be the prettiest car in the world.... That includes Porsche's Lambo's, Ferrari's and yes, even that super sleek infinity. They're all trying too hard to be exotic and rich or exclusive. I think our cars have a simple beauty. An effortless elegance that doesn't try to compete to be the best of everything. It's just the best of what it is; a unique blend of beauty, performance, fun and good feelings. I like the debadging. Always thought those chrome bits took away from the flow. Personally, anything that draws the eye away from the curvatures of the hood and the hips is a minus. I think when I look at your pictures, the first thing I see are red calipers.... same thing happens with a lot of custom wheels I've seen. You look at the car and all you see is an awesome set of rims as if the car itself was just an after thought. Sometimes it's neat to bring out the mechanical intricacies of thing, but that gray makes me think of the classic art of a timeless black and white photo. The red just ain't happening for me. Bottom line, it's your baby and if you like it, then you should absolutely do it. I'll still think it's one of the nicest cars on the road. ...Hope you didn't find my opinion too opinionated....
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08-11-2010, 02:25 PM	#11
Silver-Bolt Captain 28 Rep 805 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Melbourne Red Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 Z4 35is [9.00]	To me the red painted stock calipers look tacky/cheesy. The detract from the classy look of the car. Go BBK or leave then alone. Also when painted they will look horrible within a few miles of use.
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08-11-2010, 03:12 PM	#12
Wraith. Captain 71 Rep 886 Posts Drives: ED '11 Z4 35is Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	..You already know what i think....
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08-11-2010, 03:49 PM	#13
teezee Freude am Fahren 35 Rep 383 Posts Drives: E89 Z4, E46 325iT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Here,There and Everywhere iTrader: (0)	IMO, painting the calipers red is more about having them appear to be something they are not than enhancing the look of the car. The stock BMW calipers are silver, not red. The red calipers are somewhat of a signature Brembo "look". Taking the stock BMW calipers and painting them just looks too "poseur" to me. YMMV. __________________ 2011 E89 Z4 M Sport (Euro Delivery, Performance Center redelivery), Extended Nappa leather, Eisenmann Sport Exhaust 2003 E46 325i Touring
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08-11-2010, 03:52 PM	#14
Mr Breeze Private First Class 22 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1)	BMW's own performance brakes. Attached Images
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08-11-2010, 05:56 PM	#15
Dr Stig 2 Criminally Insane 53 Rep 1,464 Posts Drives: Like a Demon! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW Z4 35is [10.00] 2013 BMW X5 30d [0.00]	I'd put the roof down. __________________ Dr Stig 2010 Z4 35is 2011 X3 30d M Sport Australia
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08-11-2010, 05:57 PM	#16
BlueZ4AZ Go SU 34 Rep 902 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	Flight attendand Steven Slater is an idiot. That's my opinion. ...and I already gave an opinion on the calipers.
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08-12-2010, 12:46 AM	#20
Alext Banned 142 Rep 2,042 Posts Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest iTrader: (2)	Na man don't do it. I would be deeply embarrassed to be driving around with painted calipers if the calipers were not anything special. The calipers on the Z4 arent exactly the 6-pot beauties that are on the 135i for example. It's something I did when I was a teenager modding cars. As someone said, it's trying to be something it's not.
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08-12-2010, 01:41 AM	#21
Rafale Zed Quatre 24 Rep 410 Posts Drives: '11 Z4 35is & '11 535xi GT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR. USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 535i GT xDrive [0.00] 2011 Z4 35is [7.00]	The Z does not need the Porsche look to shine...
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08-12-2010, 01:46 AM	#22
MDLFCS Private First Class 14 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2009 Zee Four 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	I thought the red doesn't really give much attention to the car. Like it is too dark. Maybe yellow or white or even bright silver...
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