i've searched ebay tons of times and nobody is selling cross drilled rotors for the '08 550i. but yes, it's mostly for looks and something to work on in the new shop/garage

 

Here's one of the sites. Replacement Rotors

Call them. They'll give you some good insight.

 

Cal,
Here's a couple of references:
Cross drilled rotor myths dissolved

Those Poor Rotors!

 

pm r1racer. I think he carries rotors.

 

I think the cross drilled and or slotted rotors make the car look more racy and ready for business. I agree though that the stock system is pretty good...at least in street applications. In my opinion switching out the rotors would be strickly a "just for looks" mod on the e60 similar to wheels, ground effects, and exhaust tips. To each their own...right?
Regarding rotors, the DINAN/Brembo product look pretty sweet and would be my choice.

 

Dido on the looks. Dido on the increased pad wear. Not sure if you will really notice any difference in the performance.

I wanted them also, but opted to wait as you will probably get a new set of rotors under the full maintenance program for the first 50k if you leave the stock ones, so that is something to consider.

I drive a lot of highway and had replaced my pads at 30k with Axxis Deluxe plus when they became available. I was getting pulsating stops by 50k, so at 49,500, I took my car in, under the advice of my service manager and stated that the brakes where making noise. They replaced my front rotors.

So, I will probably get about 75k-90k miles without having to purchase rotors. I will replace them when I have to do a full brake job again.

My advice is to stay with the stock rotors, change your pads to the low dust and if you want the look, paint the calipers. It will save you a whole lot of money. Go to drilled or slotted when you have to buy rotors.

 

I totally agree with Brembo big reds and rotors but I've got 5 other "exotics" that I'm modding and searching for a Ford GT so $3K for the Brembo break kit is too much for right now. Maybe in a few months I'll buy the Brembo kit and sell the cross drilled rotors that I "think" will work for the '08 550i to someone who is/will be in my shoes.

All my best
FO

 

I'm painting the calipers either red or black - can't decide. The car is a bone stock (for now) '08 white 550i. What color would you paint if you were me? And which pads could I switch to that would lead to less dust but keep the same performance - this car "most likely" won't be tracked so don't need anything crazy.

 

Why not just paint black circles on your existing solid rotors? I want the painted calipers thats what I want!!!

 

I have to disagree with drilled rotors being a waste. They're lighter than the same rotor'd be without the holes. On racebikes, we'll drill the piss outta the rear rotor, as it's capability exceeds it's need, and being rotational mass, losing weight with it is key.
Stay away from drilled and gas-slotted. IMO, the two together weaken the rotor too much