Upgrading brakes from 4.4i to 4.6 or 4.8is

[ncsucarjock]

Folks,

While most of you claim the X5 does a decent job in braking...I came from a 335i coupe, and have felt on several occassions that it needs more bite, as well as fade control.

I'm at 37k miles, and have slightly warped front rotors, and if I have to replace, I'd prefer to upgrade.

I'm a non-sport, so I have the 18" style 153 wheels, which I'd prefer to keep, and stuff as big a rotor/caliper under them as possible.

Anyone know where to start with this?

Thanks
Evan

[UCrewX5]

Start here - http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-items...wer-price.html

[X5 Meister]

I once looked into this. Rear brakes are the same for all. The 'is models have larger front rotors, pads, and calipers. You'll need all of it if you decide to go OE. Stainless steel brake lines might help you too (though not OE). You'll also have to do a brake flush. Entire job will probably run almost a grand if you go all OE and have dealer do the flush.

[ncsucarjock]

Oh, I do all my own work...if i can get a reasonable deal on the calipers and rotors, it'll be worth it to me. I hate brake shimmy, and this thing simply needs all the help it can get.

[jvit27]

Anyone know if 4.8iS brakes will fit an 01 4.4?

Is all the hardware interchangeable on E53 models or do they use different spindles?

[X5 Meister]

Check Realoem and look at the various parts.

[Weasel]

The spindle and all are the same on the vehicles side, but you would need the caliper, caliper carrier, rotors, pads etc. And if you are going for more responsive brakes, I'd definitely add stainless braided brake lines to the bill.

Another thing to see is if they will clear with the 18's. I know they will clear with the 19's but it may be too tight for the 18's. Maybe check around if anyone has 18" rims for a winter setup on a 4.6is...

[ncsucarjock]

There are several guys with the 4.8is running 18" winter wheels, so I'm not terribly concerned about that.

For the poster who states that the rear brakes are the same, they are not.

The calipers, rotors, and pads are different. I've put together this table...

You need the calipers, caliper carrier, rotors, pads. The master cylinders are the same.

Sorry about the horrible legibility of this...formatting doesn't do well here.

REAR

4.6is 4.4i

Disc 34216756849 34216765458
caliper left 34216757055 34216768443
caliper right 34216757056 34216768444
bracket 34216757058 34216768438


FRONT

Disc 34116756847 34116765457
caliper 34116757053 34116773132
caliper 34116757054 34116773131
bracket 34116757057 34116768437
Pads


Master cylinder 34316757743 34316757743



Please note that the caliper numbers are the shell - they do not include pistons or seals. My local parts store cannot get the calipers.

Based on the prices I see, this is probably cost-prohibative to a lot of folks. You basically need to find a wrecked 4.6is or 4.8is and be able to steal everything that you need off of one, in order to do this economically. That being said, it would probably be worth my while (and pay for itself in the long run) to upgrade just the front brakes. After all, they do most of the work, and since the master cylinder is the same, I don't think you'd significantly un-balance the braking system.

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by weasel56

Another thing to see is if they will clear with the 18's. I know they will clear with the 19's but it may be too tight for the 18's. Maybe check around if anyone has 18" rims for a winter setup on a 4.6is...

It clear with 18's too.
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/w...html#post81435

[Weasel]

Yep, thats what we needed as a comformation. I don't see anybody swapping to winter wheels down here as it snows maybe 2-3 inches once every decade!