Brake Upgrades
- E24, E28, E31, E34
There are a couple of brake packages
that BMW made that were quite robust. As many of you
know, 4-piston fixed calipers provide superior braking feel
and stopping power when compared with the single-piston sliding
calipers which were original equipment on the E34 M5 and the
E31 850CSi sold in the US. Larger diameter rotors, directional
venting, thicker rotors all aid in thermal capacity.
This reduces the potential for brake fade when used on the
track or in repeated stops from high speed as are commonplace
on the Autobahn in Germany.
The options listed below are
a direct fitment for all E34 and E31. They also fit the E28
and E32 with the selection of proper wheel sizes. To
the best of my knowledge, revisions to the brake master cylinder
sizing are not required on the E34, E32 or E31 but may be
desirable to optimize brake feel on E28. Here is a complete
list of vehicles that these brakes can be utlized:
E24 - 6 Series (1975 - 1989)
- 628CSi, 630CS, 630CSi, 633CSi, 635CSi, M6, M635CSi
E28 - 5 Series (1980 - 1987)
- 518, 518i, 520i, 524d, 524td, 525e, 525i, 528e, 528i, 533i,
535i, M5, M535i
E31 - 8 Series (1989 - 1999)
- 840Ci, 840i, 850CSi, 850Ci
E34 - 5 Series (1989 - 1996)
- 518i, 520i, 524td, 525i, 525td, 530i, 535i, 540i, M5
Here are the options available:
E34 3.8l Euro Brakes
Calipers - 4-piston
fixed calipers made by Ate for BMW. The only factory
BMW application of these calipers ever offered in North America
were the special 5 Series models produced in 1995 (the E34
M540i) by BMW Individual exclusively for the Canadian market
(only 32 examples in all of North America). The only
use of these in Europe were the E34 M5s built as of June 1994
until the end of their production.
Rotors - The E34 Euro vented
rotors measure 345mm x 32mm (13.6 inches directional vented
front) and 328mm x 20mm (12.8 inches vented rear). The
front rotors are made by SHW for BMW and are a "floating"
design with a separate aluminum mounting hat which further
improves their cooling characteristics. Even though
the rotors are quite large, they will fit under 17" wheels.
Original equipment for E34 M5's and E31 850CSi's equipped
with these brakes were 18" wheels for summer tires and
17" "Throwing Star" wheels for winter use.
Pads - These pads are made
by Textar for BMW and are a quiet and very effective brake
pad.
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