My Stoptech ST-40 BBK - A gift for my Le Mans Blue

Tiauguinho · 15th October 2011, 18:03

My M5 is now reaching 200 000km and I have decided to mark this occasion with a present: Stoptech ST-40 Front BBK.

I was never happy with the OEM brake setup, even when trying multiple pads like Axxis ULTs, EBC Red Stuff or the OEM Textar stuff. They do brake just fine three or four times hard, but then they fade easily and it just becomes hard to modulate the braking. They are uninspiring if you try to tackle a challenging mountain road or more than a lap at the time at the Ring.

Add to this that my OEM brake setup started giving me problems. Despite the piston not showing any rust after lifting the seal, it was warping my discs. I already had my discs turned and fixed, but they were warping again and now the pads on the left caliper appeared to be riding the disc too tight. Had enough with the OEM setup. It was time for a BBK.

I thought long and hard on what to do. Should I go for AP Racing? Should I go Movit? Should I go for the BMW Performance setup? Or should I save up and go for the Stoptech kit?

My basic considerations for a BBK were:
. It needs to be really good. I need to trust my brakes.
. It needs to fit OEM Style 65 and Style 66 wheels. My car is driven in any weather condition and they need to fit under my winter wheels.
. It needs to feel right for the M5. No mushiness.
. I want to rely on a good supplier.

After long consideration and a bit of experience in driving M5s with other BBKs, I have decided to go with Stoptech.

For now, I have ordered only the front kit, but next year (when I save up for it) the rear kit will go in with the ST-22.

Was very good to finally have the kit with me:

Stoptech ST-40 in Red + 355mmx32mm Zinc Plated Crossdriled Discs.

They are gorgeous!

4 piston goodness!

Of course, I had to immediately proceed to detail them. I want them to look good and not be affected by the amount of brake dust that they will produce and for that, nothing better than GTechniq C5 Wheel Armour.

First step was to give the whole caliper a IPA wipedown (50/50 of water and isopropyl alcohol), to make sure the paint has no oils or fats that will reduce the efficiency of the bonding of the sealant.

Afterwards, just need to apply the Sealant with a make up pad that I stole from the Lady Boss. 3 fast dabs of product is more than enough for the whole caliper. 30 seconds after application, product was buffed out.

The application of C5 lasts up to 2 years on the wheels, so curious to see how long they will last on the caliper, when exposed to quite some heat.

Nice and protected.

But I have to admit, that the perfectionist in me, was a bit disappointed with the finish on some of the areas of the calipers (the rotors and rotor hats are amazing!). I have these two defects which are a bit annoying visually.

A missing bit of paint under the bridge

And the two parts of the calipers don't align by 1mm.

Of course, would love to have everything perfect, but insanity has a limit too. These are brakes and will stay behind the wheels. This will not be visible and I need to slap myself for this sort of things :P

One thing I like a lot about the Stoptech brakes, is the simplicity for the replacement of the brake pad. Just remove the bridge and slide in the new pads.

No effort whatsoever.

With the protection done, it was time to engage in installing the BBK! Yes!! Time to take out everything outside and get working!

Out with my comprehensive toolbox, which my colleagues gifted to me for my birthday so I could use on the M5! I was ready!

Lets get those wheels off!

Nop, saw doesn't work. Next.

IT DOESNT WORK!! Argh!

My attempt to replace the brakes myself failed miserably....

But they will be done properly, as this adventure will continue for me in London very soon!

My conclusion until now: This kit is amazing and I cannot wait to have it on and finally having brakes that match the potential of the car!

Leezamonkey · 15th October 2011, 19:03

looking good buddy, have you not driven a beast with yellow stuff pads? They are awesome, no fade on track either. Too late now of course and I have no doubt about the outstanding stopping power you will now have.

robo · 15th October 2011, 19:48

Having only very narrowly avoided three pheasants and a cat today, I want some of these badly

JChurch · 15th October 2011, 20:02

Only making the fastest color go even faster

Hakon · 15th October 2011, 20:08

So tempting...

Tiauguinho · 15th October 2011, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leezamonkey

looking good buddy, have you not driven a beast with yellow stuff pads? They are awesome, no fade on track either. Too late now of course and I have no doubt about the outstanding stopping power you will now have.

The only Yellow Stuff I tried was on Kumaran's M5 and he already has Stoptech's with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JChurch

Only making the fastest color go even faster

LOL you know it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakon

So tempting...

If you can, I think its a worthwhile upgrade. Confidence and trust in your car's ability to brake matters a lot.

M5 London · 15th October 2011, 23:56

Well done Tiago !

You won't be disappointed with Stoptechs.

Also I must be correct in saying that's the first detail of a set of brake calipers, well on this board anyway !

PS: I think I need to get the Zinc plated Discs at next time around !

Cemessi · 15th October 2011, 23:59

I ran the front kit on my 2nd M5 between 2005 and 2007 (when I sold the car). The difference between them and the standard setup is immediately noticeable however the pads you use are still very important. I tracked the car quite abit at the Ring and by the end of 30,000 miles the paint on the calipers was still very good but the seals on the pistons needed replacement as they had cracked. This was almost certainly down to track use though.

I did have marks on the calipers where the wheel weights scraped against them and with slotted rotors/discs there was an audible pulsing from the disc during certain turns which I found annoying but I doubt you'll have the same problem.

Getting replacements for the discs was quite tough and very expensive and in the end I got them imported from the US (twice) along with pads.

Someone asked me recently if its worth the upgrade and years ago, when the M5 was alot more money that it is now, my answer would have been a firm yes. Now though, when the cost of the kit with really good pads is only slightly less than half the price of an M5, its not so clear cut.

Zhan · 16th October 2011, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiauguinho

If you can, I think its a worthwhile upgrade. Confidence and trust in your car's ability to brake matters a lot.

i rubber neck and not pay attention to the road so many times, if i didnt have even stock brakes, i'd have crashed soooo many times.
if these can let me do 5 takes on the hot chick on the sidewalk instead of 4 (with stock brakes) without bumping into the car in front of me, i am so game

Kevin The Clean 1 · 16th October 2011, 10:18

Tiauguinho,

Very nice kit indeed. When I upgrade mine I will get the exact same set...