I remember that M5 and 550i/535d share the same brake pads number. The M5 has better calipers and drilled discs, but the braking of the 550i/535d is pretty good for a non-M car (Front 348mm; Rear 345mm), specially if you add better pads. With a kit like Stoptech stage2 (drilled discs/performance pads/stailless steel lines/Dot 5.1) it would be more than enough even for auto-x or a tracking session. Once there isn't any drilled rotors for the stock system of the 550i/535d, i want to see how much are you paying for the M5 brakes.

 

The price was 2500 eur as new for front, but I paid 1500 because the dealer got some parts from me (bumpers etc).
I have just front.

Stock calipers are weak, no way Tiago.


I profit to say I'm searching for M5 rear brakes, calipers+rotors.

 

I've seen FS threads on the M5 boards for ~1,500

 

I want to try first the option of M5 brake discs with custom caliper carriers. 550i/535d already has a bit better brakes than 545i. I know that M5 front calipers is 2 pistons and 550i/535d calipers is just one piston, but with good ventilated discs to dissipate the heat and good pads to grab the discs, i bet that i can match the M5 braking. It just needs drilled discs, performance pads, stailless steel lines and DOT5.1. I will try the fitting next week. Stay tune

 

Tiago, pls stop BS: one piston caliper sux and there's nothing to add.

Edit: just upgraded to 4 pistons my Mini and the world is changed.

 

I thought the 545i brakes is exactly same as 550i... in realoem.com the part # for 545i is same for 550i.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do?vin...nd=P&arch=0

 

There's something different miguex, Tiago is right. But the difference is 1% power I think
M5 brakes are +60% power.

 

I know that i cannot compete with 2 pistons equal to equal. All that i'm saying, is that if we add some goodies to the system (drilled discs, better pads component than the M5, and stainless steel lines) it can match the M5 braking, not in the track but in the road. I'm pretty happy with my system already and once i need to replace the discs/pads, and i want the look of drilled discs, i have to move with the M5 size. So the budget for this mod cannot differ too much of a OE discs/pads replacement. I have a 997TT to get glued to the windshield during hard braking.

 

what about slotted is the way to go? but that could be another rumor

 

Tiago, you can improve something, but nothing comparable with a double caliper as the M5 caliper is.