Brake upgrades 3.6 & early 3.8 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

IvanDias · 3rd October 2001, 22:44

mmm... I `ve just been looking at the picture I posted from my car with the turbines off at the moment.

Is is possible to fit the 345mm floating disk brakes (front) with 4 piston calipers and 328mm disks (rear) from the later 3.8 cars to the earlier 3.6 and 3.8 ??

For example, if I bought a car that had been chasing trees, could I take the entire rotor and caliper system straight off and bolt it on, or are there problems?

If the floating disks would be troublesome to get fitted, what would be the approximate cost (£ sterling UK if possible) to add some larger rotors, as I understand from previous posts that the 345mm disks will definately fit inside the standard 17" rims the car is supplied with.

If I didn`t go with this, what are your expert opinions on the subject of removing the fog lights and fabricating ducts to provide additional cooling?
I understand the disc cover needs to come off, and grooved and/or drilled brake discs must be installed to counteract the fact that there is now no protection from water buildup.

Would this be enough "extra" to compensate for the lesser brakes on the 3.6 when driven hard, track days etc etc.?

KKelly · 3rd October 2001, 23:06

Lots of questions.

Yes, the N'ring brakes bolt right on. In the rear, the backing plate is bigger and you have to remove the hub to change this but some guys have just trimmed the original to avoid the need for this. I am running stock rear brakes on my car with the 345mm floating rotors up front. I am real pleased with the results and will be doing the rear some day. I paid $1750.00 at a U.S. dealer that offers a 30% discount of retail ($2800 US). You do have to buy the calipers as the stock ones won't work with the big rotors. The pads are only $60-70 for the front and perform just fine at the track and are incredibly easy to change. I have thought my rotors were warped but it was merely pad residue that eventually cleans itself off during normal driving. They will also fit under stock 17" wheels no problem.

M5 powered · 6th October 2001, 17:08

Kevin,

Moving to the floating calipers is quite straight forward and worth while, although I have spoken to a few people who actually prefer the older originals in terms of feel, although nobody denies the power the floating calipers have. You do have to be more cautious of the traffic behind you though as the braking is quite a bit more aggressive!!

regards

m5 powered