Frozen rotors - are they worth getting - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Ilya Zverev · 25th November 2001, 17:43

Going to buy European rotors for the front and rear. Is it worth getting them from Frozen rotors?

Concern: cryogenically treated metals are stronger but more fragile when it comes to impact. My understanding is the biggest drawback of European floatin rotors is the structural regidity of the 2 piece part. In other word, they can just fall apart if you slam you brakes like there is no tomorrow. Isn't that the reaon BMW NA won't warranty the European floating rotors?

Will treating these rotors with cold make them more fragile? Any experience? What about slotting them to dissipate the gas? Will they just eat my pads quicker or will it actually improve fading? Are there any drawbacks of Frozen rotors slotting them vs factory slotted applications?

Sorry for so many questions.
Ilya

DrKevM5 · 26th November 2001, 01:35

Had my Euro rotors treated in March, completed 5 driving schools (Watkins Glen & Mosport), Rotors look good as new! Previous stock rotors had to be replaced after 2 schools. ABSOLUTELY recommend cryogenics!!!!

BTW, the rotors can have a catastrophic failure after about 100+K miles. BMW is afraid that we won't change the rotors in a timely fashion. Europeans take MUCH better care of their autos than we do.

TCM · 26th November 2001, 02:32

Ilya:

By cyrogenically freezing the rotors, the rotors will become stronger and more fade resistent under use. I would not worry about having problems with them. From what I have heard, BMWNA does not use the rotors because they can cause more vibration then the US rotors. This 100K mile failure could also be the reason. You will notice increased rotor life and less fade when they are pushed to the limit. The Porsche Panorama (sp) club magazine had an article on this a couple years back and found the freezing to be very helpful. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me as I can call the cyrogenics lab and have them answered for you (I sell them). Hope this helps.