They may not have been bled properly, there is a very definate procedure that has to be followed if you want to get a firm pedal with BMW stock brakes.a_ok2me said: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.
buy a porsche? :7:jhowton said:there is a very definate procedure that has to be followed if you want to get a firm pedal with BMW stock brakes.
That's pretty funny but basically true. I had 3 Porsche 928s that had a harder pedal feel and they were built in 87, that's Brembo for you.foxyboym5 said:buy a porsche? :7:
Is it a problem with the size of the master cylinder?Need4Spd said:I can tell you that the M5 is pretty mushy even when done right compared to some other cars. After I put SS lines in my M Roadster, the brakes felt SOOOO connected compared to the M5's and my M5 has SS lines, too.
It's the relationship between the M5 master cylinder and the size of the caliper pistons. A proper bleed, stainless lines, and a high Cf pad like Axxis Ultimate can help. But it's not going to feel like a Porsche, or even an M3.gsfent said:Is it a problem with the size of the master cylinder?
Regards,
Jerry
DZeckhausen said:It's the relationship between the M5 master cylinder and the size of the caliper pistons. A proper bleed, stainless lines, and a high Cf pad like Axxis Ultimate can help. But it's not going to feel like a Porsche, or even an M3.
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.
Actually, I drove a couple of cars with Brembo BBK and they both had soft pedals.jhowton said:That's pretty funny but basically true. I had 3 Porsche 928s that had a harder pedal feel and they were built in 87, that's Brembo for you.
Agreed. cherrsagaiIt's the relationship between the M5 master cylinder and the size of the caliper pistons
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.MIB said:Actually, I drove a couple of cars with Brembo BBK and they both had soft pedals.
I guess that's why I went Stoptech.
Sounds very interesting Dave, can't wait to hear what you've got.DZeckhausen said: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.
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.a_ok2me said: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.
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.M5HP said: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.
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.DZeckhausen said: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.
DZeckhausen said: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.![]()
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.Jayson said:New larger rotor and 2 piston instead of 4 huhNot bad.
That my friend is VERY good news indeed since I have the Stoptech BBK for only the front! Do keep me on that!DZeckhausen said: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!