Any cure for a sticky caliper other than replace it?
 

Here's what I'm experiencing tell me if it sounds like a sticky caliper.

I can drive for about ten miles with no shake. X5 feels fine. At around 12 miles X5 steering wheel begins to shake with increasing vigor to the point I have to pull off the road for fear of death. I hop out and notice the left front rotor is extremely hot compared to the others.

After the X5 sits for a while I can hop in and replicate the entire process. It will run fine for about ten miles and then the rotor gets extremely hot and the car shakes all over the place.

If the rotor was warped it would shake from the start of a drive wouldn't it?

The ten mile stretch has no stop signs, I never even put my foot on the break.

Could it be anything other than a sticky caliper?

if the caliper is sticking, it will usually pull toward that side while driving straight. Is that happening?

Also, the vehicle shouldn't shake with a warped rotor, until you press the brakes. Does it shake without using the brakes? Also, I have seen warped rotors that didn't pulsate unless you used the brakes above a certain speed.

You must have been sitting in my 2004 4.4 when the same thing happened! Same exact condition. Anyway, it ended up being a stuck caliper - I didn't drive it far in that condition - had it flatbedded to dealer. The rotor was scored and warped from the hung up caliper and in the end they had to replace BOTH front rotors and calipers. It was under Extended Maint/CPO thank god. The service ticket said that both sides needed replacing under BMW's service guidelines. Good luck.

Sounds like you have a caliper dragging and heating up the rotor. Sometimes if you bleed the brakes it will improve, but you are really only buying time.

You could also have a pad that is not seated correctly and dragging. I saw this once, the clip on the pad broke and the pad was jammed to one side.

if it turns out to be stuck caliper and the piston isn't rusted badly, you will be able to rebuild it. BMW parts also sells the caliper rebuild kit.

You can try "exercising" the caliper.
I would personally go with a repair kit and rebuild the caliper .
Rebuild is a fairly simple procedure.

TIP: Use compressed air to remove piston from bore.

I just took off the caliper to examine it and the rubber seal that goes around the piston was only half on. Water had gotten inside and there is a good deal of rust. I'm surprised my breaking was not affected more severely over the last few weeks. It's not only sticky, it's seized up. Calling the parts store...

if it's rusted badly, you will need a new caliper.(expensive) you can call salvage yard and see if you can get an used one.

Rebuilt calipers go for less than 70.00 bucks at many online sellers. Pelican has them.

that's the way to go then.