k44ent

Megane exactly the same, discs very rusty after being parked up. I can only put this down to the salt they put on the roads. It's all over the inside of your rims etc so will rust any bare metal pretty quickly. Also the damp air and change in temperature between outside and your garage won't help. To be honest I think the problem you and I experienced is caused by the sheer amount of rain and spray (busy road) and the fact that the water hitting the disc is salt water (due to gritting this time of year) being thrown up off other vehicles. Like I said I had the same thing happen to me and have kept an eye on the brakes since. I find that driving on an empty wet road the problem doesn't occur, it's when I'm on the M6 in the wet in the usual 70mph traffic jam!! and have only noticed it during the winter. Am off up to Abergele tomorrow in the E61 so if it rains will see if I notice anything.

Phantom Mark

YOu would expect the stability control and ABS to pick this up before it even translated to a swerve ????

Never had such problems with mine, but my brain is definately tuned to such a potential problem now, thanks

Palmo

With the list of brake related safety (technology) features I listed a few posts back, I most certainly would have expected something to help in this situation, be it DSC or ABS - but nothing!

In fact, what struck me about the whole experience was the way in which the car felt 'dumb' - almost as if it didn't have any electronic devices whatsoever.

Whilst my car was being checked over today, I had a good look at the air duct routings from the front lower air dam - this must have contributed as streams of water would have simply been directed to the brakes. The cooling effect they offer is essential in most cases, but the amount of water they direct through in torrential rain must be significant!

Just for the record - to anyone reading this thread - I must stress that the amount of rain, standing water and distance I had travelled in these conditions was significant - it wasn't simply a 'quick drive around the block', but rather a much longer sustained period that the car was exposed to these condition. Just wanted to make that clear and not scare anyone that their e60 may be inclined to do this if they drive it in rain. However, even in these conditions, it still shouldn't have happened IMHO!

Nitrodaze

eerie! I had the same experience on the M3 2 weeks ago. It was raining hard that evening around 17:00 and l was on the 3rd lane when the cars on the lane suddenly stopped. I jumped on the brakes and there was nothing for a split second and gradually grip became to fade back in. Keeping a good distance saved me from raming the car in front. Interestingly, the pull to left occurred for subsequent braking on that trip. I guessed wet brakes and proceeded to occassionally apply the brakes lightly to heat them up and the pull to left soon stopped.
I did go through the same thought process during the trip about the heated brakes feature and how braking generates electricity to charge up the battries. I remain stumped as how this could have happened. It certain took away some of my wet driving complacency that the 5 has all the gizmo for these conditions.

itb76

Sounds to me like the brakes on the right side hydroplaned, exactly what the brake drying should have prevented. My VW brakes used to always hydroplane in heavy rain until I fitted slotted rotors. The ABS won't help you; the wheels weren't locked, but if I were you I'd take the car in to verify that the brake drying is working as it should on both sides.

Slotted rotors will help you in these conditions, but they wear faster than standard and so will your pads. Also your wheels will dust more quickly.

z06bigbird

Light oil on rotors?? Anyone recently had your wheels off the car? Oil from anyone's fingers can cause a caliper to grab.

??