BMW F10 550i rear brake upgrade for X3 and X4

hardparker · 03-24-2020, 03:57 PM

For those that may be interested, I've upgraded my X3's rear brakes from the stock rear 330 x 20 mm rotor with a 42mm piston caliper setup to an F10 (2009-2016) BMW 550i setup, which is 345 x 24mm, with a 44mm piston. This setup has more thermal mass in the rotors and 10% more braking force just from the increase in piston size. There's a small increase in brake torque from the slightly larger diameter rotor. The pads are larger, which should help longevity. I was replacing rear pads every 20,000 miles or less. I feel these are a good match to the X5 50i 365 mm front brakes that I'm running. It's essentially, functionally and technically identical to the 345mm rear setup on an X5 50i, just with parts from the sedan so that we can use the electronic parking brake and have a rotor offset that will work. So, my X3 now has the equivalent of X5 50i brakes all around!

I really like the 550i brakes in the rear. It feels slightly more rear biased than before. Modulation seems markedly improved. The biggest benefit seems to come in terms of handling. The braking balance is restored back to factory. Not that I even noticed an issue with it before. The car seems to suffer less from brake dive. Overall braking force seems increased. Definitely a lighter pedal input for the same braking effort. Turn in while trail braking is way better. That part alone makes me very happy that I did the rears. If they last longer, all the better.

I'm using F10 550i rear calipers, rotors and pads. The stock X3 brake lines and pad sensor works fine. The parking brake actuator and hose bracket transfer over to the 550i calipers easily. The spacers I've made allow for lateral offset correction. One edge of the heat shield needs to be trimmed or bent back slightly. One important thing to note is that the calipers on the 550i are trailing mount, behind the axle, rather than the X3's leading mount. The difference is that the calipers mount on the opposite side when fitted to the X3. So, right on left side and vice versa for the entire caliper and bracket assemblies.

The rotors are OEM part number 34216775289. The brake caliper and bracket part numbers are listed below, as well as a list of donor vehicles that they were found on. Used calipers go for around $60 per side. Remanufactured calipers are closer to $150 per side or more.

I ordered a small batch of spacers. Enough for 10 sets. Here's the ebay link if you want a set: BMW F25 X3 F26 X4 brake upgrade adapter kit for 2009-1016 BMW 550i rear brakes PM me for a bundle discount on front and rear X3/X4 brake spacer upgrades.

Here are a few pictures of the results.

evilchargerfan · 03-25-2020, 09:04 AM

saving your ebay links for a possible future buy, for both front & rear

I appreciate your efforts, and doing all of the work on this. It really opens up options for the rest of us!

januarysnake · 08-26-2020, 01:55 AM

looking at the front brake upgrade (with the centric 50i calipers) and figured why not search for centric remanufactured 550i rear calipers.

can you tell me if I found the right ones?

Rear right Centric 14134611
https://www.apcautotech.com/part-det...bmw&model=550i

Rear left Centric 14134612
https://www.apcautotech.com/part-det...bmw&model=550i

hardparker · 08-26-2020, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by januarysnake

looking at the front brake upgrade (with the centric 50i calipers) and figured why not search for centric remanufactured 550i rear calipers.

can you tell me if I found the right ones?

Rear right Centric 14134611
https://www.apcautotech.com/part-det...bmw&model=550i

Rear left Centric 14134612
https://www.apcautotech.com/part-det...bmw&model=550i

Yes, those look like the correct Centric part numbers for the F10 550i rears.

POBEP · 09-27-2022, 06:31 PM

hardparker - are you open for non-flebay transaction for both front & rear bolts-washers-spacers set? It is time for my F25 brake job- figured your DIY would add nice improvement.

hardparker · 09-29-2022, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POBEP

hardparker - are you open for non-flebay transaction for both front & rear bolts-washers-spacers set? It is time for my F25 brake job- figured your DIY would add nice improvement.

Yep. Replied to your message.

POBEP · 10-04-2022, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardparker

Yep. Replied to your message.

hardparker
I just discovered USPS package in outside closet.

, professional packaging!

Thanks a lot!

Kerbouchard · 01-19-2023, 10:47 PM

If you flip the calipers side for side, is the bleeder screw still on top?

POBEP · 01-19-2023, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerbouchard

If you flip the calipers side for side, is the bleeder screw still on top?

yes

POBEP · 05-29-2023, 01:12 PM

januarysnake hardparker my calipers and brackets came disassembled.

I could not figure out which bracket is left and which is right ;(
It is simple for calipers (vent line atop).

Could you please check the marking on the bracket (left/right): one is 3331A another 3332A ?

Or, maybe, if you can check if you trim top or bottom shield section

03-24-2020, 03:57 PM	#1
hardparker Father of Frankenfold 299 Rep 531 Posts Drives: Yo daddy's 2014 X3 M Sport Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Albuquerque iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 BMW X1 [0.00] 2014 BMW X3 [0.00]	BMW F10 550i rear brake upgrade for X3 and X4 For those that may be interested, I've upgraded my X3's rear brakes from the stock rear 330 x 20 mm rotor with a 42mm piston caliper setup to an F10 (2009-2016) BMW 550i setup, which is 345 x 24mm, with a 44mm piston. This setup has more thermal mass in the rotors and 10% more braking force just from the increase in piston size. There's a small increase in brake torque from the slightly larger diameter rotor. The pads are larger, which should help longevity. I was replacing rear pads every 20,000 miles or less. I feel these are a good match to the X5 50i 365 mm front brakes that I'm running. It's essentially, functionally and technically identical to the 345mm rear setup on an X5 50i, just with parts from the sedan so that we can use the electronic parking brake and have a rotor offset that will work. So, my X3 now has the equivalent of X5 50i brakes all around! I really like the 550i brakes in the rear. It feels slightly more rear biased than before. Modulation seems markedly improved. The biggest benefit seems to come in terms of handling. The braking balance is restored back to factory. Not that I even noticed an issue with it before. The car seems to suffer less from brake dive. Overall braking force seems increased. Definitely a lighter pedal input for the same braking effort. Turn in while trail braking is way better. That part alone makes me very happy that I did the rears. If they last longer, all the better. I'm using F10 550i rear calipers, rotors and pads. The stock X3 brake lines and pad sensor works fine. The parking brake actuator and hose bracket transfer over to the 550i calipers easily. The spacers I've made allow for lateral offset correction. One edge of the heat shield needs to be trimmed or bent back slightly. One important thing to note is that the calipers on the 550i are trailing mount, behind the axle, rather than the X3's leading mount. The difference is that the calipers mount on the opposite side when fitted to the X3. So, right on left side and vice versa for the entire caliper and bracket assemblies. The rotors are OEM part number 34216775289. The brake caliper and bracket part numbers are listed below, as well as a list of donor vehicles that they were found on. Used calipers go for around $60 per side. Remanufactured calipers are closer to $150 per side or more. I ordered a small batch of spacers. Enough for 10 sets. Here's the ebay link if you want a set: BMW F25 X3 F26 X4 brake upgrade adapter kit for 2009-1016 BMW 550i rear brakes PM me for a bundle discount on front and rear X3/X4 brake spacer upgrades. Here are a few pictures of the results. Attached Images __________________ F25 X3 35i M Sport \| Frankenfold 6662 \| VRSF Race IC \| FTP CP \| BM3 tuned \| XDI-35 HPFP \| Stage 2 LPFP \| Ethanol mixed \| WMI \| Oil cooler \| xHP \| X5/550i brakes Last edited by hardparker; 03-24-2020 at 05:36 PM..
	Appreciate 4 evilchargerfan269.00 Vikingstaff20.50 POBEP364.00 LikeNo18.50 Tweet Quote

03-25-2020, 09:04 AM	#2
evilchargerfan Lieutenant 269 Rep 595 Posts Drives: 2012 F25 (N55), 2014 I01 (REX) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Diego / Menifee iTrader: (1)	saving your ebay links for a possible future buy, for both front & rear I appreciate your efforts, and doing all of the work on this. It really opens up options for the rest of us!
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08-26-2020, 01:55 AM	#3
januarysnake Registered 2 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW X3 F25 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	centric housing and bracket kits looking at the front brake upgrade (with the centric 50i calipers) and figured why not search for centric remanufactured 550i rear calipers. can you tell me if I found the right ones? Rear right Centric 14134611 https://www.apcautotech.com/part-det...bmw&model=550i Rear left Centric 14134612 https://www.apcautotech.com/part-det...bmw&model=550i
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09-27-2022, 06:31 PM	#5
POBEP Lieutenant 364 Rep 552 Posts Drives: E70 E90 E91 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Christmas Valley, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E90 335d [9.33] 2013 E70 xDrive35d [5.00] 2009 E91 328i [10.00] 2016 F25 xDrive28d [0.00]	hardparker - are you open for non-flebay transaction for both front & rear bolts-washers-spacers set? It is time for my F25 brake job- figured your DIY would add nice improvement. __________________
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01-19-2023, 10:47 PM	#8
Kerbouchard Second Lieutenant 41 Rep 246 Posts Drives: 2019 330i ZTR Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	If you flip the calipers side for side, is the bleeder screw still on top?
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05-29-2023, 01:12 PM	#10
POBEP Lieutenant 364 Rep 552 Posts Drives: E70 E90 E91 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Christmas Valley, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E90 335d [9.33] 2013 E70 xDrive35d [5.00] 2009 E91 328i [10.00] 2016 F25 xDrive28d [0.00]	januarysnake hardparker my calipers and brackets came disassembled. I could not figure out which bracket is left and which is right ;( It is simple for calipers (vent line atop). Could you please check the marking on the bracket (left/right): one is 3331A another 3332A ? Or, maybe, if you can check if you trim top or bottom shield section __________________
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