|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1
|
540i Sport - Upgrading Brake Discs and Pads
I have a 97 540i Sport. When I first got the car, with the oem set up, the car stopped great. Friends thought it was the best braking car they had ever driven. When time came to replace the discs and pads, I went with ATE Power Disc and pads, after reading a few articles. So far I'm not impressed. Several other BMW owners and shop managers have told me that it's hard to beat the oem set up. What has worked best for you?
Also, are there any tricks to bleeding the brakes? I followed the instructions on this site - using the family member tact - and I still have a soft pedal. Last edited by blj540i; 02-16-2004 at 03:21 PM.. |
||
02-16-2004, 03:15 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: West Coast Scotland
Posts: 218
|
SPngy Brakes
I must admit I always stuck with OEM disks & pads on my 5's as they are hard to better, I take it you replaced the fluid as well as you had to bleed the brakes ?
I've got 6 yearold fluid in one of my 5's and it still stops on a sixpence ( that'll be dime to you guys ! ) From what I've heard the E39 brakes can only be properly bled by the dealer unless you have the equipemtn needed due to the ABS. So I'm afraid it's 1 hrs labour charge at the dealer and you should have anice hard pedal again. Cheers PAul 95 525i A SE 2k 530d SE steptronic
__________________
Cheers PAul On a clear disk you can seek forever |
||
|
03-05-2004, 08:50 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 7,769
|
I personally prefer the OEM pads & disks as well. The previous owner (a friend of mine) had the brakes done at a tire store & had several brake problems after that. When I bought the car, I put all new rotors & pads from the dealer & the braking is the best I've seen in any car.
In my past expreience, everytime I have used after market stuff, I have had problems down the road. BMW did a pretty good job and so I feel that stock is best (unless you have a race car or something). As far as the bleeding, I put speed bleeder valves on all four calipers & I had no problems bleeding the brakes. Vern |
||
|
03-10-2004, 11:37 AM
|
|
|
In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
|
I also agree that OEM is going to be the best here.
|
||
|
03-11-2004, 01:12 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 549
|
BMW pads & rotors are softer then after-market>>thats why they feel better and why they wear quicker>>and you can bleed these brakes just the same as you do other cars>>ABS self bleeds. Best to use a brake bleeder tho then to use the 2 man method. You can use a regular bug-sprayer for this but you have to buy the cap from either SNAP-ON or MATCO Tools!
|
||
|
03-11-2004, 04:42 PM
|
|
