[Exorcist]

I need to upgrade the brakes for my beast. I would be able to get almost new E60 M5 brakes for 'cheap', but how hard it is to fit them to E39 M5?

Atleast he has them installed: http://www.carpassion.com/de/usergarage.php?no=567

Have anyone done this?

 

[azaytsev]

why don't you ask the owner of the yellow M5 this question. Check the for sale section, that car is for sale now. he is the member of this board.

 

[vitiokas95]

Let us know what did he tell you

 

[Exorcist]

Asked the owner.. will get back to you.

 

[mfizzlenyc]

Sounds Good Let us know

 

[Exorcist]

"I haven't done the work by myself, but the tuner was very quick... Did the whole thing like a normal brake job oohhh:
I think you just need some adapters, but I don't see any @ my brakes... BUT you need bigger wheels. 19" because most of the 18" are too small on the inside :grrrrr:"

So anyone know better?
It seems to be an easy task...

 

[vitiokas95]

Who can give us straight answer?? Anyone?

 

[M540i]

Doesn't sound like it's worth the hassle to me. By the time that you (or whomever you are paying to do this work) are finished fabricating brackets for the E60 M5 calipers to fit the factory mounting points, you would have spent some pretty serious bucks on it. Then you have to buy wheels (19") to accommodate the new rotors that you have installed. And for what reason? When it comes to stopping the car, "cheap" generally doesn't exactly enter my mind in the list of adjectives for what I would want. But then again, expensive isn't at the top of my list either.

But what I can say is that UUC has developed a cost-friendly Big Brake Kit for the E39 M5 and 540i cars. Having spoken with him at length last week, I can attest to this statement. Even though I am not sure if it has been released yet. No, don't take the website's word for it either, because that hasn't been update for a while.

Aren't the E39 wheels hub centric anyway? So would it even be possible to use E60 M5 rotors on an E39 M5?

 

[SirRichi]

Hi there

As I worte in the PM, a tuner made that for me. I had the same decision like a lot of others here --> Get a Stoptech/Brembo/whatsoever or get the e60 system fitted. The e60 system is a LOT cheaper than a proper Brembo kit and the ultimate thing for me to do it this route -> e60 discs and pads are available everywhere and every BMW dealer can check it etc.



Best regards

Richard

BTW: The system DOES work superb :hihihi: I only used the car for long distance trips with a lot of km in Germany, there's no fading anymore. I also made two trips to the Ring --> No problems again

 

[verhagke]

Doesn't sound like it's worth the hassle to me. By the time that you (or whomever you are paying to do this work) are finished fabricating brackets for the E60 M5 calipers to fit the factory mounting points, you would have spent some pretty serious bucks on it. Then you have to buy wheels (19") to accommodate the new rotors that you have installed. And for what reason? When it comes to stopping the car, "cheap" generally doesn't exactly enter my mind in the list of adjectives for what I would want. But then again, expensive isn't at the top of my list either.

But what I can say is that UUC has developed a cost-friendly Big Brake Kit for the E39 M5 and 540i cars. Having spoken with him at length last week, I can attest to this statement. Even though I am not sure if it has been released yet. No, don't take the website's word for it either, because that hasn't been update for a while.

Aren't the E39 wheels hub centric anyway? So would it even be possible to use E60 M5 rotors on an E39 M5?

Agreed. My perfect brake upgrade would include Stoptechs 355mm up front only, more aggressive pads and stainless lines all around, and cooling ducts in front. Should be lots cheaper than an E60 setup as you won't have to upgrade the wheels also.

One thing to keep in mind: If you change the brakes to the E60 setup, you will most likely have to do all 4 wheels as it's unlikely that the brake bias is correct only doing one end. If you change all 4, you should also check on your master cylinder as the piston size may be too small for the E60 calipers. If you don't change the master, your pedal will probably travel more than with the stock setup as the E39 master cylinder is not designed for the larger pistons in the E60 calipers.

lots of headaches avoided by just buying a properly engineered after market upgrade.

 

[THRILOS5]

I've been working on some calipers for my car and I think it should be done soon, mostly the 6 piston one, today we test fitted with the wheel and the clearance was perfect, need to do a litle more machining and some test time and hope everything works out, so far so good, I'll keep you guys posted as Im very optimistic about this and the calipers look awesome.
some pics I took with my phone(sorry)

 

[Exorcist]

I must try again?

Anyone have info on this mode? I already have 19" wheels so that isn't a big problem. E60 M5 brakes are a lot cheaper than stoptech kit.

 

[iconoclast]

which wilwood calipers are those??? to the best of my knowledge there isnt a 'kit' available yet... are you retrofitting a set from e46???

 

[Lscman]

I've been working on some calipers for my car and I think it should be done soon, mostly the 6 piston one, today we test fitted with the wheel and the clearance was perfect, need to do a litle more machining and some test time and hope everything works out, so far so good, I'll keep you guys posted as Im very optimistic about this and the calipers look awesome.
some pics I took with my phone(sorry)

Hopefully you are addressing differences in rotor thickness when trying to mate Corvette production caliper to BMW production rotor, as respective OEM rotors must be close to the same thickness. If the BMW rotor is thinner, the pistons may eject or become cocked in bores before total pad wearout, resulting in brake failure. If the BMW rotor is thicker, standard thickness pads may not fit when new. Calipers must also be indexed similar to Vette setup such that bleeders sit at the top to allow release of all trapped air. Universal aftermarket calipers generally have varying thickness spacers and crossbolts to allow custom rotor thicknesses. This is why most OEM caliper swaps involve a matching OEM rotor swap. My wag is Corvette 6 pot rotors are thicker. Sorry to bother, if my concernsare all glaringly obvious.

 

[Lscman]

I must try again?

Anyone have info on this mode? I already have 19" wheels so that isn't a big problem. E60 M5 brakes are a lot cheaper than stoptech kit.

Good luck on your investigation. It's seemingly a good idea.

Cheapness of rotor and caliper isn't the only issue though. Performance, weight and availability and cost of pads in multiple compounds is generally what makes aftermarket offerings so attractive for performance and/or for the the long haul.

 

[Panos]

Go to the dealer parts counter and ask to look at the caliper mount brakets for the E39 M5 and E60 M5. If the holes that mount to teh wheel carrier line up than they are likely interchangeable from both cars.

 

[iconoclast]

Hopefully you are addressing differences in rotor thickness when trying to mate Corvette production caliper to BMW production rotor, .

what are the specs on a stock oem e39 m5 rotor???

 

[Panos]

its a floating caliper so it doesnt have to be exactly the same. If the M5 rotor is significantly thinner (likely not) that you risk pushing the piston out too far as the pads/rotors wear down to their min thickness

 

[THRILOS5]

well the zo6 calipers have been on my car for almost a week now, I broke them in slowly because Im still on my original rotors and so far everything has worked out perfect the caliper thickness, the pad thickness my wheel clearence and also the braided steel lines don't rub anywhere, I did a few high speed stops and everything seems fine, the pedal also feels just like stock.
Im going to do a litle more testing and I let you guys know,
if anyone interested you can pm me

Harry

 

[vitiokas95]

How mucht cost you to upgrade to zo6 brakes???