I need to replace my front pads on my 2007 550i. My thanks to many on here that have given recommendations on pads, rotors etc.

I wanted to determine if my rotors also needed replacement. I know they replaced both pads and rotors at 50k. The car is now at 77k.

The stock rotors are 30mm or so and I believe the minimum thickness is 22.4mm

I just measured both my front rotors with a set of calipers and got approx 27-27.5mm. So lets say 27mm.

This makes sense to me as I believe the 50k new set of rotors were this cars first new rotors, so they lasted 50k miles. I am only 27k into this set and if the next pads last about the same, I am close to 50k and the rotors would be down to 23-24mm...which would need to be replaced.

Therefore, I have determined that I only need to replace the pads.

Does this make sense to those that have done pad changes and DIY changes?

thanks

 

Upon further investigation. I saw the BMW TIS and the 22.4mm I stated was for 525i vehicles. The 550i is 28.4mm. Of which I am already under!

I see on the R1 Concepts site, they state a stock rotor is 30mm and the min thickness is 28.4mm.

I am just amazed that a rotor only lasts 27k miles.

Can I get consensus that 28.4mm is the min thickness?

 

Correct, for Non-M:

F: 28.4mm
R: 18.4mm

It's actually stamped on the rotor. I've seen my fronts stamped 28.4mm when it was brand new.

I would reach out to Michael at Acuteperformance as he seems to be the guy for Rotors/Pads.

edit: typo - 18.4mm for Rears

 

Already talking to Michael, thx!

 

As an update, I ordered a set of R1 Concept Premium blank front rotors and Hawk HPS pads (from Acute Performance).

I will update once installed.

 

Finally installed my R1 rotors and Hawk HPS pads.

A few comments:

- had some difficultly getting the caliper off the hanger. All the instructions just mentioned using a clamp to get enough gap to get past the wear lip on the rotor..but the caliper would not come off..it was like a puzzle. The clamp wouldnt compress the piston anymore how I had it positioned and since it was my first time, I didnt know if it was fully compressed or not and didnt want to force anything. I finally just pushed enough to get clearance on the carrier and with a rubber mallet got it free. On my 2nd wheel, this step was quick....since I knew what I had to do. Learning basically.

- The carrier bolts are a bitch. Not much clearance and very tight. I sprayed them with WD40 in case anything was corroded and just used brute force...my daughter was laughing at my purple face. But got them. I can see this step as a stumbling block if you couldnt get them loose. I dont know the torque spec on these but my torque wrench would not fit in the wheelwell anyway. I just used my largest wrench and made my face purple tightening them.

- I was worried about the rotor locator bolts. I sprayed them with WD40 in advance. No issues getting them out. I put anti seize lube on them prior to putting them back in.

I was very particular on cleaning everything. Got the guide pins perfect with brake cleaner and rags. Cleaned all the caked brake dust out of the hanger and caliper. Greased the appropriate spots. Took that extra time, but much worth it.

Took me 3 hrs for just the one side...but only 1 hr for the 2nd side. Got damn tired, but worth the $$ savings and better products.

I then took them out for a test run and bedding process. A quick run thru my neighborhood to clean off any coating on the rotors and then onto the main road for 4-5 60-10mph hard stops. They felt great, no issues.

No squeaks, great grab. Just feel great.

One last item, the rotors I took off (installed by dealer) did not have thickness specs listed on them as expected they would/should. I measured them at 27.5mm

Thanks Michael at Acute Performance and others for the DIY help.

 

The front brake rotors thickness for the E60 550i are:
Nominal Thickness mm 30.00
Minimum Thickness mm (Discard) 28.4

 

Yeah, so for my rotors to be 27.5mm...after only one set of pads. I was amazed. Assuming the dealer did change the rotors at the last pad change as they claimed.