Brake upgrade spreadsheet - prices, driving impressions

[SmokinDav]

Thought I'd toss this up for the list.

Part Brand/style Supplier $ Qty comments[TAB][TAB]
Fronts[TAB][TAB][TAB][TAB][TAB]
Caliper BMW E32 eBay Vines Auto $100.00 pair used/salvage[TAB]
Rotor Brembo Autobarn $120.00 pair[TAB]
Pads PBR/Pagid Ebay $38.00 2 pair[TAB]
Rubber brake hoses Carparts $36.00 ?[TAB]
Anti-rattle clip ATE Autobarn $22.00 pair[TAB]
Rotor ret. Screw ACE $2.00 pair[TAB]
total $318.00[TAB][TAB]

Rears[TAB][TAB][TAB][TAB][TAB]
Calipers BMW E34 540i E Auto Parts $165.00 pair used/salvage[TAB]
Rotors Zimmerman Autobarn $126.00 pair Must use E34 rotors
Pads PBR/Pagidbay $28.00 2 pair[TAB]
Rotor ret. Screw ACE $2.00 pair
Anti-rattle spring Autobarn $14.00 pair
Rubber Brake Hose Autobarn $50.00 ?
total $385.00[TAB]

Master cylinder BMW E32 750i Vines $50.00[TAB]

Grand Total $753.00[TAB]

Sorry about the formatting, but it's the best the forum will allow.

Basically, I wanted to get brakes that were good enough for the track, but would not break the bank. I think I have accomplished not breaking the bank. I'll have to wait a month or two to see how the car does on the track with this set up.

The calipers, the most expensive part, I bought salvage. Both yards that I bought from have a warranty for 90 days/3000 miles or whatever. And if they do start to leak I will get a caliper rebuild kit and rebuild them.

I think this is a good, viable option for a budget minded upgrade. I could have saved about $50 on the E34 rear calipers as I found a cheaper source after I had already bought the $165/pair of calipers.

If anyone wants to find used calipers and any other part I highly recommend:

http://www.car-part.com

I will follow this post up with a driving impressions post once I get them installed.

Thanks,
Dave

[devin in tampa]

thanks, dave - that info helps. i'm getting ready (b/4 5erfest) to upgrade the fronts on the M5. Replacing the original rear self levelers w/ bilstein sports in the rear, but will likely hold off on upgrading the rear brakes, as i'm not tracking the car. your info helps on the price points/budget.

[DMNaskale]

Devin,

The rears are regarded as the weak link on an M5, you have nice 4 pot calipers stock on the front, and rears that are the same thing as any 535i. Most of the readily available alternative front brakes are floating caliper designs. E34 rears are reported to be a solid upgrade that really makes a difference in feel on a 535 with upgraded fronts, and M5 fronts are one of the well regarded upgrades to a 535i. So if you simply upgrade your rears to E34 calipers, you will have one of the best street/track setups already.

[MarkD in NJ]

I purchased E32 front calipers & brackets (Same as '94-'95 540i fronts) for $50/pair + shipping w/6-month warranty. E34 540i vented rears - calipers & brackets also $50/pair + shipping w/6 month warranty. Cost about $120 for the whole package - 4 calipers & 4 brackets & 4 Anti-rattle springs.

Bavarian Auto Recycling (www.bmrparts.com) Seller name on eBay = 'nelsonsbavarianbmwparts' Sometimes they have the fronts out there for $50/pair + Shipping. Originally sent me the wrong fronts (E38), but shipped the correct ones no problem and I kept the E38s (actually gave them away as they are useless).

Balo Rotors, PBR pads & 4 caliper rebuild kits = ~$320 shipped.

My total cost w/o master cylinder = $440

[Matt]

What PBR/Pagid pads are you saying are ok for track duty?

I have an M5 with 540i/M5 rears. I was running R4S pads up front (which are a semi-race pad) and stock BMW pads in back. This was just barely enough brake for BIR.

Pad selection is critical.. My plan before returning to BIR is to get R4 full race pads for front and rear, use SS Lines, and then see how that treats my pedal. If it isn't exactly how i want it after that, i'll try the 750 master cylinder next.

[SmokinDav]

[QUOTE="Matt"]What PBR/Pagid pads are you saying are ok for track duty?[/QUOTE]

Sorry for the confusion, those would be my street pads.

Porterfield R4 would be my choice for track.