[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Upon further investigation the master cylinder in the X3 M is the same exact part that the M5 uses. So we're not entirely out of the woods yet, in a good way though. We'll have to got back to the drawing board & make some adjustments to this project to see what we can do. It's not bad, just a small change / difference we're trying to minimize. and/or eliminate.

So the conversion still needs additional parts? I'd very much appreciate it if you can enlighten me (us) with the details of the adjustments. Sounds like this is not just a cross Ts, dot Is kind of thing.

[spucktacular]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Upon further investigation the master cylinder in the X3 M is the same exact part that the M5 uses. So we're not entirely out of the woods yet, in a good way though. We'll have to got back to the drawing board & make some adjustments to this project to see what we can do. It's not bad, just a small change / difference we're trying to minimize. and/or eliminate.

Ahh.. my hat is off to you good sir, I'm very jealous. I'm not the type to think I need to make a 500HP german car better, but the brakes always irritated me cause it was only a cost limitation.

The GLC 63, Macans wear 6 pots with proper brake pad surface, even the much lighter M3/M4, not to mention the M2s come with 6 pots. Frustrating to see they cut a corner like that on a full M car.

Do you mind going through all the parts needed to swap out the calipers? brackets, bolts, etc..

Great job!

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by saabster2010

So the conversion still needs additional parts? I'd very much appreciate it if you can enlighten me (us) with the details of the adjustments. Sounds like this is not just a cross Ts, dot Is kind of thing.

Due to ongoing inclement weather here in CA, it's been hard to get any proper seat time for a more thorough evaluation of things. The pedal feel isn't bad by any means. It simply takes a little more of an initial nudge of the foot to get things actuated. Once the pads are bedded & the rotors are seasoned I'll have one last bleed completed for a final assessment.

Originally Posted by spucktacular

Ahh.. my hat is off to you good sir, I'm very jealous. I'm not the type to think I need to make a 500HP german car better, but the brakes always irritated me cause it was only a cost limitation.

The GLC 63, Macans wear 6 pots with proper brake pad surface, even the much lighter M3/M4, not to mention the M2s come with 6 pots. Frustrating to see they cut a corner like that on a full M car.

Do you mind going through all the parts needed to swap out the calipers? brakes, bolts, etc..

Great job!

Thank you for the kudos. But BulkBen was the original founder of this compatibility finding. All the part numbers you need can be found here. I used F90 brake pads since its weight is much closer to the X3 M then the X5 M is. And the 4 main bolts (they are huge) can be reused. Just be sure to buy a F90 M5 brake pad wear sensor to go with those new pads. The rest is pretty simple & more info in the OG thread below. Hope this helps.


https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1858189

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Due to ongoing inclement weather here in CA, it's been hard to get any proper seat time for a more thorough evaluation of things. The pedal feel isn't bad by any means. It simply takes a little more of an initial nudge of the foot to get things actuated. Once the pads are bedded & the rotors are seasoned I'll have one last bleed completed for a final assessment.

Oh ok, I see what you mean. Could be that the OE pads arent as bitey? In other cars I've had, OE pads were ok. I swapped to hawk or ebc and the bite was immediate.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by saabster2010

Oh ok, I see what you mean. Could be that the OE pads arent as bitey? In other cars I've had, OE pads were ok. I swapped to hawk or ebc and the bite was immediate.

I have good news to report & some very positive feedback. The previous comment I had made was in regards to the overall initial pedal feel. After completing two full (rotor seasoning & pad bedding sessions) this essential procedure restores 90-95% of the initial pedal feel from full cold to operating temp. Just like the brake experts had recommended. So there's virtually no drawbacks to getting these. Now I just need bleed the system one last time.

https://www.zeckhausen.com/catalog/i...Path=6446_6443

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

I have good news to report & some very positive feedback. The previous comment I had made was in regards to the overall initial pedal feel. After completing two full (rotor seasoning & pad bedding sessions) this essential procedure restores 90-95% of the initial pedal feel from cold to full operating temps has been restored. Just like the brake experts had recommended. So there's virtually no drawbacks to getting these. Now I just need bleed the system one last time.

https://www.zeckhausen.com/catalog/i...Path=6446_6443

Sweet, great work, appreciate it.

/Start savings pennies

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by saabster2010

Sweet, great work, appreciate it.

Start savings pennies

I think it will be well worth it in the long run. You have no idea how quickly the X3 M stops now. It can now decelerate with just a much (if not more) force then it accelerates with... !

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Once you see how puny the factory front brakes are, this upgrade will seem more enticing. When these 4-piston calipers are removed you can see much more clearly (just how small the factory pads are). If it wasn't for that, the X3 M might stop a little better...

[joebie3]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Once you see how puny the factory front brakes are, this upgrade will seem more enticing. When these 4-piston calipers are removed you can see much more clearly (just how small the factory pads are). If it wasn't for that, the X3 M might stop a little better...

It's actually kind of comical how small the pads are, vs how big the caliper is. LOL

[TacosRule!]

Are these even 4 piston? The pads look horribly narrow, I cant see where the pistons are or where they would push the pads.

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by saabster2010

Are these even 4 piston? The pads look horribly narrow, I cant see where the pistons are or where they would push the pads.

Yes, they are 4 pistons... you can see them in the attached photo.

Also, having changed my pads this time last year, I can confirm there are 4 pistons...

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by saabster2010

Are these even 4 piston? The pads look horribly narrow, I cant see where the pistons are or where they would push the pads.

If BMW gave us 2 piston front brakes on 4,600 lb 500+ HP, that would be pretty scary to drive...

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

If BMW gave us 2 piston front brakes on 4,600 lb 500+ HP, that would be pretty scary to drive...

I was shocked the rears are only a single piston...

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by 95wildtt

I was shocked the rears are only a single piston...

I am still curious if we can upgrade to 4 piston rears, there are some kits out there that should make me look into details later on.

Dont know if its worth the upgrade, probably not.

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

We have another storm here rolling through Northern California at the moment. But once I can go back outside & get a few I surely will. Later I'll upload some of the "project finally finished" photos I took from today's wrap up.

Kevin, just a friendly reminder if you can please, take measurements of the caliper/barrel clearance please.
Thanks!

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by saabster2010

I am still curious if we can upgrade to 4 piston rears, there are some kits out there that should make me look into details later on.

Dont know if its worth the upgrade, probably not.

That's not a great idea. Anything above two pistons in the rear just isn't worth the effort. You do realize that the front brakes do 80% of the breaking & provide 80% of stopping power. Right... ?

Originally Posted by saabster2010

Kevin, just a friendly reminder if you can please, take measurements of the caliper/barrel clearance please.
Thanks!

I don't have the tool to measure that part I think you're talking about. You'll have to explain a touch more.

[Tim@codemybimmer]

Originally Posted by saabster2010

I am still curious if we can upgrade to 4 piston rears, there are some kits out there that should make me look into details later on.

Dont know if its worth the upgrade, probably not.

Keep in mind the reason they’re using a single floating caliper for the rear is due to the electronic parking brake.

As for the 6 pots if they clear for 20” wheels, a small number of people with the F95 X5M were able to clear them with 20” winter sets here - https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...9&postcount=62

So at least that means if we’re running 20” winters, it’ll likely clear those 6 pots. But still some measurements would be nice to have to be assured.

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Tim@codemybimmer

Keep in mind the reason they’re using a single floating caliper for the rear is due to the electronic parking brake.

Thats a very good point, it never dawned on me why we had such paltry rear brakes

Originally Posted by Tim@codemybimmer

As for the 6 pots if they clear for 20” wheels, a small number of people with the F95 X5M were able to clear them with 20” winter sets here - https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...9&postcount=62

So at least that means if we’re running 20” winters, it’ll likely clear those 6 pots. But still some measurements would be nice to have to be assured.

I'd love to get Kevin to measure that distance.

Thanks again Tim, appreciate your insight

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by saabster2010

Kevin, just a friendly reminder if you can please, take measurements of the caliper/barrel clearance please.
Thanks!

I'll get this measurement information for you soon.

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

That's not a great idea. Anything above two pistons in the rear just isn't worth the effort. You do realize that the front brakes do 80% of the breaking & provide 80% of stopping power. Right... ?

I don't have the tool to measure that part I think you're talking about. You'll have to explain a touch more.

Its just a measuring tape to get the distance between the inner part of the wheel (barrel) and caliper

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

I'll get this measurement information for you soon.

Thanks!

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

saabster2010 Hey Joe, you should have enough room to run those factory 20" wheels you were talking / asking about. I'm confident that you shouldn't have to worry about that aspect of the install. Sorry it took me so long to get this info for you.

Although these are not new photos, these were taken the very moment the install was completed. The center of the caliper has a full 1" of clearance behind it & the barrel of the wheel. The top & bottom sections of the calipers have about 7/8" of clearance between them & the barrel of the factory 21" wheel. A factory 20" wheel will be 1/2" shorter on both side from the center point. So I don't think you'll have anything to worry about here.

And the spokes of the 20" wheels have a different design to them. But so do the X5M base & X5M Competition. They're base --- to comp wheel designs are pretty similar in the base trim. Despite them being a 21 - 22" wheel. Hope this all makes sense bud & thank you for being utterly patient with this.