Brake Upgrades for E34

[OSFlanker]

I have done some research on brake upgrades for E34 and here is what I found out. Anyone with brake upgrade experience for E34 please share your experiences!The E34 had class leading brakes in its era. But that doesn't mean it can't be improved.The 520i came with non-vented front discs so the obvious upgrade is to upgrade to vented discs from E34 525i or E32.The 525i front disc is 22mm thick and has a diameter of 302mm. The following are plug n play brake (calipers, carriers and discs) upgrades for E34 :Bmw Model / Front Rotor SizeE34 525-535-530 - Ventilated 302 x 22E34 540i/E32 7xxi - Ventilated 302 x 28E34 M5 3.6 - Ventilated 315 x 28E31 840/850Csi - Ventilated 324 x 30E31 840/850 - Ventilated 324 x 30E34 M5 3.8 - Ventilated 345 x 32 (requires 17" wheels or bigger)Info courtesy of Bruno from www.bmwe34.netThe E32 brake components are the easiest to find in Malaysia and cheap too (compared to M5 or 8 series stuff!). The diameter is the same at 302mm but the thickness increased by 6mm to 28mm (27%). The front brake pads for E32 and E34 are the same.BMW Model / Rear Rotor Size E34 525-535-530 Non-ventilated 300 x 10E34 540i - Ventilated 300 x 20 E32 740i Ventilated 300 x 20E34 M5 3.6 Ventilated 300 x 20 E34 M5 3.8 ('95) Ventilated 328 x 20 I am not sure if the rear brakes pads are the same for E32 and E34.More complicated brake upgrades are :1. Use the master cylinder from E32 750i/iL (hydraulic) or M52. Use Porsche brakes!

 

[feisaldzul]

OSF,
is it originally the e34 525 comes with ventilated in front?

can you just buy the e32 front/rear discs and install on an e34 without any other work?

 

[OSFlanker]

Originally posted by feisaldzul@Jan 11 2005, 09:44 PM
OSF,
is it originally the e34 525 comes with ventilated in front?

can you just buy the e32 front/rear discs and install on an e34 without any other work?

Yes, stock 525i brake discs are ventilated. To install the E32 discs, you need the calipers & carriers too.

I may have a set of 525i calipers, provided I can install the E32 calipers on my car!

Magicfox, come lah, upgrade your brakes too!

..
.

 

[E28driver]

Originally posted by OSFlanker@Jan 11 2005, 08:55 PM
I have done some research on brake upgrades for E34 and here is what I found out. Anyone with brake upgrade experience for E34 please share your experiences!

The E34 had class leading brakes in its era. But that doesn't mean it can't be improved.

The 520i came with non-vented front discs so the obvious upgrade is to upgrade to vented discs from E34 525i or E32.

The 525i front disc is 22mm thick and has a diameter of 302mm. The following are plug n play brake (calipers, carriers and discs) upgrades for E34 :

Bmw Model / Front Rotor Size
E34 525-535-530 - Ventilated 302 x 22

E34 540i/E32 7xxi - Ventilated 302 x 28
E34 M5 3.6 - Ventilated 315 x 28
E31 840/850Csi - Ventilated 324 x 30
E31 840/850 - Ventilated 324 x 30
E34 M5 3.8 - Ventilated 345 x 32 (requires 17" wheels or bigger)

Info courtesy of Bruno from www.bmwe34.net

The E32 brake components are the easiest to find in Malaysia and cheap too (compared to M5 or 8 series stuff!). The diameter is the same at 302mm but the thickness increased by 6mm to 28mm (27%). The front brake pads for E32 and E34 are the same.

BMW Model / Rear Rotor Size
E34 525-535-530 Non-ventilated 300 x 10

E34 540i - Ventilated 300 x 20
E32 740i Ventilated 300 x 20
E34 M5 3.6 Ventilated 300 x 20
E34 M5 3.8 ('95) Ventilated 328 x 20

I am not sure if the rear brakes pads are the same for E32 and E34.


More complicated brake upgrades are :

1. Use the master cylinder from E32 750i/iL (hydraulic) or M5
2. Use Porsche brakes!

I have a pair of front callipers that will accept the 302x22mm ventilated disks, lying in my store room somewhere.

Plug and play for E28 and E34.

PM me for offers.

Thanks

 

[magicfox]

Originally posted by OSFlanker@Jan 12 2005, 11:48 AM
Magicfox, come lah, upgrade your brakes too!

OSF,

me upgrade the brake?? yes, but i just replaced a new set of rotors on my car... how??

btw... i can hear the e32 calipers calling your name at nite.... :lol:

 

[OSFlanker]

Originally posted by magicfox@Jan 12 2005, 07:04 AM
.......btw... i can hear the e32 calipers calling your name at nite.... :lol:

That's scary man......hope the calipers are not gay!

Hopefully, erica34 will sort out his brakes soon, then I also have to locate zackary1 and see if he can replace the E34 calipers he gave me (mistakenly, I hope) instead of E32. Looking at the big ATE discs you passed to me, I am also keen to put the E32 brakes on my car!!!!

 

[magicfox]

if you could get a set of e32 calipers from zackary1.. then i might take this set of calipers ...

 

[koryong]

Any detailed info on e36 brake upgrades ?

 

[erica34]

Originally posted by OSFlanker@Jan 12 2005, 09:32 AM
Hopefully, erica34 will sort out his brakes soon...

ya, ya... me want fix better brake... 520 one no good... thicker and bigger one nicer...