Actually, I drove a couple of cars with Brembo BBK and they both had soft pedals.
I guess that's why I went Stoptech.
For this particular platform, the Brembo BBK has a softer pedal feel than the StopTech. But it's not something that you can generalize to all platforms. For example, the M3 pedal feel is nearly the same between the two. The StopTech is still firmer, but not by as wide a margin.
This new solution won't be as simple as replacing the rubber bushings on the calipers with the bronze bushings. Nor will it be as inexpensive. This is a BBK approach.
For those with stock brakes who wish to try the bronze bushing approach, you can get them at www.bimmerworld.com. Keep in mind that you will need to lubricate and inspect the floating caliper guide bolts regularly, as they become wear items now. You can expect about another 1/16" pedal throw reduction under hard braking, similar to what you would get from installing stainless steel braided lines.
2001 540i 6-Speed
StopTech 4-wheel big brake upgrade (ST-60 front/ST22 rear)
M5 3.15 Limited Slip Differential M5 Front Swaybar
Dinan Stage 3 Suspension
Dinan Front Strut Tower Brace
Rogue Octane Short Shifter & Transmission Mounts
European Dash Conversion CDV Deleted (of course!)
Bluetooth, NAV-TV, DVD Player
2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8 w/StopTech ST-60 front/ST-40 rear BBK 2007 Corvette Z51 Coupe 6-Speed w/StopTech Trophy ST-60 front/ST-40 rear 2009 Honda Fit Sport w/NAV w/Acura Integra front calipers, StopTech floating rotors on order
I'm working on a solution that might yield a very good pedal feel. That's all I can say for now. I hope to have an update within the next 3 or 4 weeks. I'll post photos and results when I've tested the solution on my car.
Sounds very interesting Dave, can't wait to hear what you've got.
Having installed a Brembo BBK, I'd say it has much better bite and pedal feel than stock, but still not same immediate and linear feel as my 930 Porsche, so would be interested in what else you come up with.
Cheers!
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Larry
2000 Dinan S2 Carbon Black/Caramel
I had my brakes bled for a routine schedule, but it still feels just as mushy as before. 27K miles on the car. Nothing serious, but it makes me wonder if the shop even did anything. I was expecting a stiff feel. It's all stock components. I bought the car used, so I'm not sure if this is the normal feeling as when it was new.
I had the same problem with my beast.No matter how my times the dealership bleed my brakes we were never able to achieve a firm solid brake pedal like the one in my M3.I test drove a few other M5's with stock brakes and they all had a similar feel of extra pedal travel than normal before the brakes kicked in.I'm begining to think its a trait of the M5 braking system.
I had the same problem with my beast.No matter how my times the dealership bleed my brakes we were never able to achieve a firm solid brake pedal like the one in my M3.I test drove a few other M5's with stock brakes and they all had a similar feel of extra pedal travel than normal before the brakes kicked in.I'm begining to think its a trait of the M5 braking system.
The M5 will never have the same pedal feel as the M3, regardless of how well you bleed those brakes. That is, unless you install the StopTech 4-wheel BBK.
I'm working on a solution that might yield a very good pedal feel. That's all I can say for now. I hope to have an update within the next 3 or 4 weeks. I'll post photos and results when I've tested the solution on my car.
A careful review of my M5 web page will reveal the formerly secret development project: http://www.zeckhausen.com/BMW/E39_M5.htm. Hint: Check out the StopTech big brake kit offerings for the M5.
Those of you with a front-only StopTech kit will now have a rear upgrade solution that can be added without having to change your front calipers. Those who have been avoiding big brake kits completely becuase you can't retain your stock wheels without using spacers will now have a 4-wheel upgrade option that does not require any spacers. And you get to keep the factory 18" wheels!
I expect the new rear kits to become available in about three weeks. I get the first production model to try out on my own car first.
A careful review of my M5 web page will reveal the formerly secret development project: http://www.zeckhausen.com/BMW/E39_M5.htm. Hint: Check out the StopTech big brake kit offerings for the M5.
Those of you with a front-only StopTech kit will now have a rear upgrade solution that can be added without having to change your front calipers. Those who have been avoiding big brake kits completely becuase you can't retain your stock wheels without using spacers will now have a 4-wheel upgrade option that does not require any spacers. And you get to keep the factory 18" wheels!
I expect the new rear kits to become available in about three weeks. I get the first production model to try out on my own car first.
New larger rotor and 2 piston instead of 4 huh Not bad.
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2003 LeMans Blue Bmw M5-Stoptech 4 wheel brakes, Eibach sway bars, Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, Dinan Brake ducts, UUC short shifter, UUC trans mounts, Dinan Clutch and flywheel.Sirus Radio, Dinan strut brace
New larger rotor and 2 piston instead of 4 huh Not bad.
You scared me for a second. I went back and checked my web site to be sure I hadn't made a typo. The new rotor is actually a bit smaller. It's a 351mm x 32mm, 4mm smaller in diameter. You're right about the new 2-piston caliper. With the smaller total piston area possible by this design, it will work with the existing front-only kits and pedal feel will be even better than the original 4-piston 4-wheel kit.
Those of you with a front-only StopTech kit will now have a rear upgrade solution that can be added without having to change your front calipers. Those who have been avoiding big brake kits completely becuase you can't retain your stock wheels without using spacers will now have a 4-wheel upgrade option that does not require any spacers. And you get to keep the factory 18" wheels!
That my friend is VERY good news indeed since I have the Stoptech BBK for only the front! Do keep me on that!
After reading your website I noticed that the rear 13.8" brake kit is for those with the stock wheels. I have BBS CH 19" wheels on mine. Does that mean I'd be able to get the rear 14" brakes on mine? I don't see that as an option.
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Jason
Lighting Guru & Picture Poster Extraordinare!
'05 Range Rover w/mods
'05 K1200S w/mods
'07 997TT w/mods
'08 Audi A3 w/mods
Last edited by atomic80; 20th April 2005 at 07:49.
are the rotor choices the normal stoptech variety, plain, slotted and drilled?
A little disappointed about the price, for 2 less pistons, i was hoping for a less $$.
Mike
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Mike
91 M5 Alpine White II, Silver Gray 3/90 production
17x8/17x9 M system with PS2, 20mm touring roll bar; Ground Control Coilovers; Confortti Chip, CD43; bmw/nardi blackline steering wheel, 3.8 Cam Gears
08 535i / 6 speed
Space Gray; Gray; Sport/Premium/Nav
00 M5 Ti Silver; Imola/black sportiv --Sold
Engine:
Supersprint Headers, Dinan CAI kit and MAFS, Throttle Bodies, Cams, Ported heads, Exhaust, Custom dinan software, Evosport Pullies, Dinan clutch and lightened flywheel; Ignition solutions plasma coils
Suspension:
Dinan Stage 3 with front and rear Strut Tower Braces, Beastpower Sway bar brackets, Dinan Wheels with 275/285 PilotSport, X5 Thrust arm bushings, Stoptech 355mm 4 piston front, 355mm 2 piston rear brake kit, Dinan 3.45 diff
Interior/Misc:
Eurodash, updated steering wheel, Bluetooth retrofit, Sirius Retrofit, hardwired V1, Widescreen Mk4 nav, M audio retrofit, Ice Link, BSW Stage 1 speaker upgrade, bmw towbar
Linear Mode
