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Back to BMW Products
BMW M5
(E39)
(2000-2003)
2001 Lemans Blue BMW M5, courtesy of Jason Tang,
Bellevue, Washington (Photo by Mike Kippen)
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Why Upgrade your Brakes?
Big brakes give your car greater resistance to fade by absorbing and
shedding heat more efficiently. Racers upgrade because stock brakes were
designed for a single stop from high speed, not repeated slow-downs with little
time in between to cool off. For fade resistance, size really does matter.
On the street, fixed-mount, multi-piston calipers give a firmer pedal and
quicker reaction time in panic stops. As little as 0.2 second reduction in
reaction time can translate into 21 feet of stopping distance at 70 mph.
Reaction time is not as important to racers who can compensate by braking
earlier. But on the street, in an unexpected stop, quicker reaction time
can save your life. You don't need to be a racer to benefit from brake
upgrades.
If you track or autocross
your car regularly, your stock brakes are probably not up to the task.
You can start off with better brake fluid, more aggressive brake pads, cooling
ducts, and stainless braided brake lines. But as you
progress from novice to intermediate skill level and beyond, carrying more
speed into the braking zones, your track events will become characterized by
boiling brake fluid, sinking brake pedal, and pad fade. Losing confidence in your brakes
takes the fun out of a track event. Big brake upgrades allow you to dive deeper into the braking zone and
brake harder than you ever thought possible.
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Big Brake Kits |
StopTech big brake kits
are designed to maintain optimum front to rear torque balance, resulting in
the shortest possible stopping distance and total compatibility with ABS and
modern electronic stability control systems. The fixed-mount, multi-piston calipers give you a
firmer pedal feel and a quicker reaction time in panic stops. Every StopTech
application is thoroughly track tested as part of the development process.
[Track testing write-up]
StopTech big brake kits
are available with red or black calipers standard. Silver, gold, blue
or yellow
calipers are available and add 30 days to the
delivery date. Silver is a no-cost upgrade. Blue, yellow and
gold add
$200 per caliper pair. Slotted rotors are standard. Drilled
rotors may be substituted for $100/pair. Drilled rotors are for street
use only and are not appropriate for the race track.
Coming soon! We are an exclusive dealer
for StopTech's exciting new Carbon Ceramic Brake System (CCBS).
Most StopTech 4-wheel brake kits may be optionally equipped with these exotic and
lightweight carbon ceramic rotors. Significantly lighter than cast
iron, these rotors shave as much as 80 pounds of rotating weight
from your brakes, dramatically improving your car's handling, acceleration and
ride. Better heat capacity, resistance to cracking
and oxidation, and improved response in heavy rain than existing ceramic
options, such as Porsche's PCCB system. Not delicate and prone to
chipping, like the 2009 Corvette ZR1 brakes. Zeckhausen Racing has
been conducting durability and usability testing for over a year, including
track, street, and extreme winter conditions. The system has performed
beyond our expectations. Carbon ceramic rotors will be available to
the public by early 2009. Call us for details. Will
your wheels clear a StopTech big brake kit?
Click here for a comprehensive set of wheel
fitment templates and instructions for using them.
Replacement
brake pads, rotors, and other hardware for your StopTech big brake kit.
To purchase a StopTech brake kit on-line,
click here:
 and then enter the part number
into the Product Finder box in the upper left corner of the page.
Or feel free to call us at (800)222-8893 for help selecting the proper kit
for your needs.
Unlike Brembo Gran Turismo brakes, these StopTech 4-piston front brakes fit under your stock M5 wheels without spacers. They also
fit without spacers underneath the
17" BMW Style 66M wheel, which allows for
the use of less expensive 17" track and winter tires.
The 2-piston rear kit
fits under the stock M5 wheels. The 4-piston rear kit is known to fit
under the following 18" wheels: Breyton Magic Racing, OZ Superleggera III,
Dinan Forged 7-Spoke, Speedline 1908.
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Front 14" brake kit
with
ST-40 4-piston calipers, floating 355mm x 32mm AeroRotors, stainless steel
braided brake lines, and Axxis ULT high performance street pads
Fits under stock
M5 wheels without spacers!
Click for installation
photos |
$2695 |
83-135-4700 |
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Rear 13.6" brake kit
with
ST-22 2-piston calipers, floating 345mm x 28mm rotors, stainless steel
braided brake lines, and Axxis ULT high performance street pads
Fits under stock M5 wheels
without spacers!
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$2595 |
83-135-002G |
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Rear 14" brake kit
with
ST-40 4-piston calipers, floating 355mm x 32mm AeroRotors, stainless steel
braided brake lines, and Axxis ULT high performance street pads
Requires aftermarket wheels
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$2595 |
83-135-0047 |
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Premium Rotors
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SportStop Rotors
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Better than stock rotors! Centric Premium rotors are identical in
dimensions and internal vane design to the factory originals. During assembly,
rotors are straddle cut for the most accurate machining, then double disc ground
for optimum parallelism, minimal runout, and near zero thickness variation.
A non-directional finish is applied for better initial pad bedding. All
surfaces, including the hat, are machined and non-swept surfaces are electrostatically coated with a durable, black finish
(unless noted otherwise below) for corrosion protection
and good looks. Finally, all rotors are computer mill balanced to
incredibly tight tolerances. You won't find a better replacement rotor
anywhere. Click here for more details.
(Note: Centric is the parent
company of StopTech and PowerSlot. All StopTech SportStop and Power Slot
rotors start as Centric Premium blanks and are machined in-house on computer
controlled milling machines.)
StopTech SportStop rotors are available for
many applications, offering all the advantages of Centric Premium rotors, with
the addition of slotting and/or drilling. Slotted rotors provide additional bite and maintain
consistent friction level over the life of your pads. These are ideal
for aggressive street and even road racing applications. Slotted and drilled
rotors offer even more bite and stunning looks, but should be used on the street and not for racing. If you prefer slotted
or slotted and drilled rotors and there is no pricing listed below, send an inquiry to
orders@zeckhausen.com and we can let you know if they are available.
Make sure you install them properly. See:
How to Properly Install Plain,
Slotted or Drilled Rotors
To obtain more information about any rotor, you
may click on the part number (if a link is present) to see more details,
including rotor drawings, recommended replacement thickness, critical
dimensions, and weight. Note: The term "floating" in the rotor
description does not mean two-piece, floating rotor. It is Centric's terminology for a
rotor that can be removed without also removing the car's wheel bearings or hubs.
To order, click here:
and then locate your vehicle
along the left side of the on-line store page. Or, feel free to call us at
(800)222-8893 for help selecting the proper parts.
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Plain Rotors |
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Front 345mm x
32mm
1-piece vented rotors
Rear 328mm x 20mm
1-piece vented rotors
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$131 Each
$75 Each |
120.34062
120.34063
120.34054 |
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Slotted Rotors |
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Front 345mm x
32mm
1-piece vented rotors
Rear 328mm x 20mm
1-piece vented rotors
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$155 Each
$115 Each |
126.34062SL
126.34063SR
126.34054SL
126.34054SR |
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Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines |
Improve pedal feel
by replacing stock rubber lines with stainless steel-braided
Teflon® lines.
Stock lines expand under pressure, contributing to spongy pedal feel.
StopTech lines reduce pedal travel and firm up pedal feel, allowing precise brake
modulation. Useful for drivers who "heel-toe" downshift,
providing a more stable platform from which to manipulate the throttle to
match engine revs to transmission speed.
StopTech's lines are covered with stainless steel
weave to
provide support and protect from abrasion and impact. The stainless
braid is molded inside a layer of clear plastic to
protect the lines from the environment and to protect your car's
suspension and delicate sensor wires from the "hacksaw effect" possible with other steel-braided brake lines.
These lines are DOT compliant and may be legally used on the highway,
unlike lines sold for "off-road use only."
StopTech lines have been tested and approved by the TÜV for sale in
Germany.
100 percent tested!
Every StopTech line is tested at 4,500 psi before it is
packed and shipped. Most manufacturers perform no pressure testing.
Some test random samples from their
assembly line or test to lower pressures.
When installing a front big brake kit,
Zeckhausen Racing strongly recommends upgrading your rear brake lines. 4-wheel
big brake kits come with
front and rear steel braided lines, so no additional purchase is necessary.
Each brake line kit includes enough lines for
both sides of your vehicle. To order, click here:
and then locate your vehicle
along the left side of the on-line store page. Or, feel free to call us at
(800)222-8893 for help selecting the proper parts.
(Teflon® is a registered trademark of DuPont) |
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Front stainless lines for
stock brakes |
$66 |
950.34003 |
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Rear stainless lines for stock brakes |
$62 |
950.34503 |
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High-Performance Brake
Pads |
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If you want better brake pads
for the street, consider Axxis. Axxis pads are
manufactured by
Bendix Mintex (FMP Group Pty. Ltd.) in Australia. Formerly marketed under the
brand names PBR and Repco, they are now sold in the United States under the
Axxis name.
Axxis Brake pad performance
comparison charts
Instructions
for bedding in new brake pads
To order, click here:
and then locate your vehicle
along the left side of the on-line store page. Or, feel free to call us at
(800)222-8893 for help selecting the proper parts.
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Axxis Deluxe Advanced street
pads (formerly called Deluxe Plus) are ideal if you are looking for a low dust pad that is quiet and rotor friendly, yet has
enough fade resistance for
performance cars. These ceramic-enhanced organic pads work well up to 716
°F, similar to OEM pads.
Stop washing brake dust off your wheels every few days! These are by far our most
popular street pads.
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F-$87
R-$40 |
63-213-0681
63-213-0683 |
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Axxis ULT street pads
pads (formerly called Axxis Ultimate) use a Kevlar®
and ceramic formula for enhanced performance. They produce maximum
friction when cold, yet have tremendous fade resistance up to 932 °F. The
coefficient of friction is high enough to produce a noticeable reduction in
pedal effort. Fine for autocross or your first
track event, assuming street tires and a low horsepower car. This is
Zeckhausen Racing's favorite high performance street pad.
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F-$130
R-$59 |
63-223-0681
63-223-0683 |
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Centric Posi Quiet Semi-Metallic pads
offer a high friction level across a wide temperature range. Very low dust, low noise
w/OE designed composite shims to reduce pad vibration and squeal. Easy on rotors.
Better performance than typical low-dust pads. Give up the dust
without giving up the performance.
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F-$78
R-$39
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63-104-0681
63-104-0683
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Hawk HPS high performance street pads have
low dust, low noise, and low rotor wear. Slightly higher in friction
level than Hawk Ceramic pads with a similar MOT of
around 750°F. Not recommended for track use, as their
friction level falls off rapidly when the MOT is exceeded.
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F-$111
R-$88 |
63-410-0681
63-410-0683 |
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Hawk Performance Ceramic street pads
have extremely low dust, low noise, and low rotor wear. These represent the latest technology in street friction. Not
for track use.
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F-$115
R-$91
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63-443-0681
63-443-0683
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Competition Brake Pads
for stock calipers |
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Hawk HT-10 Race pads have good
modulation and release characteristics, making them ideal for the
"weekend warrior." Moderate rotor wear, moderate dust, a stable torque
curve, above average bite, and a MOT of 1,400°F. Recommended for the
front of front-engine cars for casual track use, as well as for the rear of club
race and professional race cars.
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F-$237
R-$190
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63-490-0681
63-490-0683
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PFC
01 Race pads have very high
average torque output, rising over its operating
temperature range, and a MOT of 2000°F. Excellent bite, low
rotor wear, and average pad wear. Novice drivers may find this pad
challenging to modulate. Pad of choice for top race teams and our
favorite due to overwhelming positive feedback and few complaints of judder. Frequently used in the front of front engine
cars with PFC 97 in the rear.
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R-$207
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63-660-0683
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Rear pads only - ideal for use in combination
with StopTech front brake upgrade |
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Replacement Brake Pad Wear Sensors |
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BMW uses brake pad wear sensors to
monitor the condition of your brake pads. Although your BMW has eight
brake pads, only two of them are monitored for wear - the driver's side
front inboard pad and the passenger's side rear inboard pad.
Thus, you should only order one front and one rear
sensor. When a monitored pad has worn down below 2mm of
remaining friction material, the rotor chews through a small plastic bump on
the sensor and slices a wire in half. This causes an open circuit,
triggering a warning on your dash, either an idiot light or a "CHECK BRAKE
LININGS" text message. Once a warning has appeared, the sensor has
been destroyed and must be replaced.
Each Centric brand replacement sensor comes
with a short wire harness that clips into your BMW's main wiring harness.
The other end (shown below in the enlarged gray box) clips into a slot at
the top of your new brake pad, with the small plastic bump facing TOWARD the
rotor.
E46 M3 sensor shown - your BMW model's
sensor may have a different appearance
After replacing your pads and wear sensors,
the dash warning will still be illuminated. However, you do not need
to go to your BMW dealer to have the warning message reset. To reset
the brake warning, turn the ignition key to the run position, but do not
start the car. After about one minute, the brake pad warning will
reset.
To order, click here:
and then locate your vehicle
along the left side of the on-line store page. Or, feel free to call us at
(800)222-8893 for help selecting the proper parts.
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Brake pad wear sensor |
F-$18
R-$16 |
64-116-34012
64-116-34013 |
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Front Wheel Bearings |
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Front Wheel Bearings
BMW M5 front wheel bearings tend to
fail between 80 - 120,000 miles, although we have seen them go bad as early
as 50,000 miles. We have the best pricing on E39 M5 front wheel bearings!
Installation
Instructions |
$174 each |
Click here
for Ordering Details |
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Performance and Winter Tires |
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Besides brakes, tires are the
most important component in determining stopping distance. It's literally
where the rubber meets the road. Selecting the right tire for your driving
conditions can make a tremendous difference. For example, if you live in
Florida or southern California and are driving on all-season tires, you are
leaving huge performance gains on the table! A good set of summer-only
performance tires can literally transform the handling and braking capabilities
of your car. In fact, if your goal is to minimize stopping distance,
you're better off going to Tire Rack's web site and buying tires first, before
spending any money here on better brakes!
For the best selection and
prices, use the Tire Decision Guide
by Tire Rack. Select the appropriate model year, then click the Go
button. You'll be asked a couple of questions which will help narrow down
your tire choices to the select few which most closely match your driving needs.
From Maximum Performance tires to All Season tires to Snow Tires, Tire Rack has
it all. The Tire Decision Guide takes the guesswork out of buying tires
for your car.
The Tire Decision Guide
Internet Resources for E39 M5
information:
M5board.com (The most active M5 forum)
bimmerfest.com
(A more civil alternative to bimmer.org)
bm3w.co.uk (An M5 forum for UK enthusiasts) |
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