545isheff

After seeing drantispy's thread and doing several laps of the Ring (with a few pant staining moments) I decided to look into brake options - the easiest being M5 brakes.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...\&st=0

So after watching Ebay for a while I managed to get a set of front calipers, rear calipers, all pads and front discs for ?200 - which I think and hope will be a good price.

The discs aren't in best shape to be starting for a fresh set-up so I plan to get new pads and discs alround (this may be pricey, but I have to buy these at some point in time!!).



Questions:

1. Reading a few posts these seem to be straight bolt on apart from two new bolts for the front calipers. Can anyone point me in the right direction for which ones these are (part number, diagram etc)?
   
2. Does anyone have any useful guides / help for when I start to put these on the car or anything I need to be aware of?
   
3. The calipers are black. They are dirty so I haven't had chance to fully inspect, there is the odd scratch but they may clean up nice (I am a perfectionist though). If they aren't in perfect shape I may go down the route of getting them powder coated / reconditioned - has anyone had this done to their calipers or experience of so I know what to avoid / expect (e.g. like making sure things are taken off, or rubbers removed to avoid perishing etc)?
   
4. If I do get them repainted/coated - does anyone have opinions on colour? I don't want to ruin the look of the car, but these brakes are something special (and HUGE the front caliper is like a foot long!)... I may have some stickers made up (small 'bmw' branded - nothing horrible)... I was thinking paint colours like bright Silver, Light metallic blue like the Tarox calipers, plain blue like the Alpina ones - any ideas?

AlexFW

Have fun with new brakes: you will feel the difference!

andy545

I've just done the M5 BBK upgrade (front & rear) - just awesome.

I got a complete used set but had probs with the front discs - ended up getting new ones (not a bad thing at the end)



Review soon as I'm in between countries at the moment..good luck.

nicke60gre

What?

Great deal!! I'd say gift...

545isheff

Hello again

Ok so I've done a search again and managed to find Rizbels DIY post - which is very useful - however.. his DIY states that it is a direct plug and play and no new/extra bolt is required- can any of you guys confirm this?
the last thing i want is to commit to the DIY and then find it won't fit without something extra

Your help is much appreciated.


Ps. I'm thinking a deep gun metal grey metallic with red/white small decals

nicke60gre

You neen 2 X part #2 here (M5 bolts front - 1 per side) 34111123072
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?mo...hg=34&fg=05

There are 2 holes on M5 front rotors (per side) but only 1 meets the standard hub's bolt, the other one is out of place.

and 2 X covers L & R for the rear rotors. Parts# 34216754629 - 34216754630 here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?mo...hg=34&fg=10

You can't place bolts on the rear rotors, as M5 rotors have different holes (2 per side, both out of place) except if you drill the M5 rotors, so they could meet the hub's standard hole using the stock bolt. That's what I will do, but no problem so far without them, as wheel bolts are holding the rotors in place tight enough.

Also, in case of emergency, flat etc, you can fit the stock steel 17" spare wheel on the rear, putting a 15mm spacer (and 15mm longer bolts). Checked the rear, but don't know yet about the front. I'll check it next days.

Here is mine: http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=55925&hl=

Rizbel

That also makes sense .

andy545

""You can't place bolts on the rear rotors, as M5 rotors have different holes (2 per side, both out of place) except if you drill the M5 rotors, so they could meet the hub's standard hole using the stock bolt. ""






That's what I did...


The rear disc installation had more work than the fronts.

nicke60gre

I know Joe, it is possible, but it only can do 1-2 turns, without doing its job, because its head is wider than M5 rotor's hole stair, so it stands about 2mm out of rotor's clearance. M5 bolt has thiner head so it seats down correctly, doing 5-6 or more turns.

I could grind the standard bolt head circumference, but it's only $2 for the correct bolts.

545isheff

Good work guys, this is why I love forums. Bit dissapointed they weren't full plug and play, but for what is needed I can't complain - so I won't!!

Andy545 - as you have a 545i I was wondering if you had to change the 'dust cover plate' (plate that sits behind the hole disc on the rears (with the 545i having a bigger setup than the 520i) as it's mention above that I may have to purchase two?