I'm in the process of fitting bigger front brakes on my x358 as promised. I know Caldoofy did this, but didn't see much detail.

From what I've read, the standard brake size is 326mm for base x350/8. The R models get brakes an inch bigger and there is an unobtanium Alcon option that was a 5k upgrade when new - I believe those are closer to 400mm.

Here I am doing 380mm. The way to find these on eBay is to look for 2010 and newer Jaguar brake parts and look at the bottom of the brakes to see if they are dual piston. If the image is high enough quality from the top, you can see "380" next to the Ate logo as well. I say this because there doesn't seem to be a bulletproof rule that all "R" or Portfolio designated cars were the only ones to get 380mm brakes. These calipers came off a 2011 non-R XF. Because of this, you can probably save some money, as the R parts are often more expensive - these cost me $75 each side.

Here are a few photos of the calipers. I've painted them with black caliper paint and applied R vinyl die cut stickers obtained from eBay.

Front view
top view
Bottom view
I'm still waiting for my rotors and ceramic pads. Will be a few days before I get those and install, but it sounds like everything should be plug and play. Will post more updates as I make more progress.

 

Nice!

And just to confirm, yes the Alcon front rotors are 400mm...

 

Oh my. Are those for your car? You are a lucky or wealthy man. :-)

 

Not for the XJR no, it's fine with the 365mm 4-piston Brembos, but I have something else in the pipeline, all will be revealed in a couple of months...

I'm not wealthy so let's put it down to luck eh?

 

The rotors and pads arrived today. The two were over 70 pounds. That's over 30 kg for the folks in every country except ours. Poor UPS driver.

The pic doesn't do the size justice...Hoping to install Sunday. More to come.

 

looks good, I believe caldoofy has the drilled and slotted rotors also, the rear calipers between the 326mm and 379mm brake options is the same I believe. Just the bracket needs to be changed. Last time I spoke to caldoofy he was away to fit the rears. Hopefully he'll chime in with some feedback.
I have retrofitted the Alcons to my 358. Think I'm the only one. Which is just as well, they're brilliant brakes but require lots of upkeep if you let the slider pins corrode and the rear hub needs to be changed to fit the separate park brake caliper. The parts are pretty much unobtainable now as well.
Look forward to your updates.

 

Can you post a list of the required components? Maybe with part number. This is something I would do to my car.

 

Based on the markings on the caliper, I couldn't see the part numbers. I do have more info for the install though.

It turns out everything is just a direct bolt on. Couple things to note. You'll need the 2010-up brake lines for these 380mm calipers. The caliper side fitting at least on the 326mm did not work or line up. You don't need the brake pad sensor wires that come with the new pads (x350/358 doesn't seem to have this).

On the left side (driver side most everywhere except UK, Oz, Japan and HK), we did trim a small piece off the brake line bracket since tolerances were tight with the rubber shock boot. I have a feeling this is optional, but we did it just in case.

Here are a few terrible night time photos. Will add better ones once all the black zinc is worn off the rotors. Pads only seem to be contacting the outer 3 inches or so of the contact surface of the disc.

 

First picture I thought "man those brakes don't look that big" and then I realised the rims were a little on the large size and have rubber bands wrapped around them.

What size rim & tyre?

 

245/30/22 the brakes don't look huge with one piece wheels, but they really are big. The 326mm looked tiny in there.

Before

 

Small update. I just ordered 2010-2012 oem XFR rear calipers and matching 376mm rotors. Will only use the caliper brackets of I can get away with it. Will keep you posted once everything arrives.

Bracket part number is c2d3799. They are about $100 new per side just for the bracket. Hopefully I can save you guys some money.

 

What brand and model wheels are these?

 

They are called Rosso Affinity in silver machined finish, 22". You can also get black facets or full chrome, but I'm old so I don't like either of those other options.

 

Cambo, a pic of the same style brakes behind your old Arden's.

Note the brake lines are a direct bolt in if doing this conversion on an X358 XJR braided hoses and brackets were identical.

 

^^^ it was your car I was thinking of John, the 380mm brakes certainly don't look small behind the 21" Ardens, but with the 22's on exexpats car they look way smaller...

 

Yeah but his wheels look way bigger than mine for an extra inch diameter! Difference in stopping makes this upgrade a worthwhile investment in my opinion.

 

Good to see you joined the thread, Caldoofy. Always loved your car. 3-piece style wheels always make the centers look smaller and therefore the brakes bigger. I fit 19 different sets of aftermarket wheels to my X-type in the 7 years I owned it, and center windows tend to be at least an inch lower diameter, sometimes more.

BTW... Did you ever fit the 376mm rears to your car?

 

Adding a daytime pic

Still waiting for the parts to do the back. Hopefully this coming weekend.

 

Looks better in daylight that's for sure!

But what's the deal with the clamping area on the rotor not being the full width? The black colour has only been scrubbed off maybe 2/3 of the way ?

 

Thanks Cambo.
That's what I was mentioning above, and both sides are the same. These pads seem to ever so slightly contact that inner 3/4" ring, but not enough the sand away the zinc coating yet. I've driven only about 50 miles on these since installed, so I expect the pads will wear to flat at some point soon. Each day the line moves another mm or so toward the center (provided I drive the car to work and back). They've been bedded properly when installed and still perform extremely well given that the clamping force is mainly on the outer part of the rotor.