Technical E70 X5 35d Factory Big Brake Upgrade

[fmorelli]

Here's the spreadsheet that compiles the big brake upgrade. On the 35d we go from 348x30mm single caliper front brakes to 365x36mm 2-pot calipers. in the rear 320x20mm to 345x24mm. A pretty significant increase in brake capability. Basically the net of it is, a variety of X5/X6 vehicles have the same hub carriers, including the V8 models with bigger brakes front and rear. Fronts were actually cheapest with Cardone BMW rebuilds (ATE/BMW stamp). Rears didn't exist rebuilt, so eBay purchase and a little clean up.

 

[fmorelli]

Ok first off the rears.

 

[fmorelli]

And the fronts.

 

[fmorelli]

Brake bleeding these is a bitch. I've always used a Motive power bleeder. Even running the ISTA routine for getting air out of the ABS pump, I could not get pedal. @Seb335i recommended I gravity bleed new brake installations, and then he recommended the old school manual pump - 5 pumps at a go, leaving the bleeder open until fluid came out with bubbles, usual progression from right rear brake.

Well when I got to the passenger front (3rd bleed point), fluid started coming out then just stopped moving while my son pumped. All of a sudden froth came out for about 5-10 seconds, like the milk from a cappuccino. Never seen anything like it. Brakes are much better but not quite right yet. I'll drive it for a day or so, and then bleed it again, and run through the ABS pump routine. I suspect that will take care of business.

 

[ShocknAwe]

Love it Filippo.

Will be following suit.

 

[hardparker]

I run nearly the same setup on my F25 X3 and really like it. Rear calipers for mine are the 550i calipers with electronic parking brake, which is the only significant difference.

 

[Itsbrokeagain]

Nice little upgrade!

May put this in the spreadsheet for the breakdown between these, E70 X5M and F10 M5 brakes. Obviously it gets vastly more expensive (hard to find anything at a steal on the East Coast here), but any one of those kits should clear fine under my 19" Apex wheels.

 

[fmorelli]

May put this in the spreadsheet for the breakdown between these, E70 X5M and F10 M5 brakes. Obviously it gets vastly more expensive

Yeah ... I mean it is a daily driver. When I originally asked the NADOG group about factory upgrades, people were quick to suggest Brembo upgrades and such. Just didn't make financial sense to me. The V8 upgrade was good bang for the buck. The motorsport parts are expensive, and most of them are dinged up pretty good.

 

[evilchargerfan]

Yeah ... I mean it is a daily driver. When I originally asked the NADOG group about factory upgrades, people were quick to suggest Brembo upgrades and such. Just didn't make financial sense to me. The V8 upgrade was good bang for the buck. The motorsport parts are expensive, and most of them are dinged up pretty good.

fmorelli

did you do just rotors?

or did you go with 50i caliper as well?

 

[fmorelli]

fmorelli

did you do just rotors?

or did you go with 50i caliper as well?

 

[evilchargerfan]

Thank you for the response

and WOW, what a good deal on bo6921926181 ($262 ish on ebay)

 

[evilchargerfan]

View attachment 65597

@fmorelli

1 more question?

was the rear caliper NEEDED? I'm guessing 50i rear calipers are needed to fit 50i rotors and pads?

or was it simply just a chance to re do the rears to match the fronts?

 

[fmorelli]

@evilchargerfan Rear caliper matches the rotor. Think of this as a V8 upgrade package all around. I mean it is short money and the stuff is generally available (caliper/brackets).

Yes ... while one could do just fronts ... not sure why if one can do rears too and match it up. Not like it's expensive.