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5-Series  (F10)  (2011-2012)

 

 

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.

 

Big Brake Kits

StopTech big brake kits are designed for each vehicle with optimum front-to-rear brake torque balance, resulting in the shortest possible stopping distance of any aftermarket brake upgrade and total compatibility with ABS and electronic stability control.  The fixed-mount, multi-piston calipers produce a firmer pedal feel and quicker reaction time than stock brakes in panic stops.  Every StopTech application is thoroughly track tested and fine-tuned as part of the development process.  See: 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 or gold add $200 per caliper pair.  Slotted rotors standard.  Drilled rotors available for $100/pair.  Drilled rotors are recommended for the street, while slotted rotors may be used for street or racing.

New!  StopTech's ultra-high end Trophy Sport and Trophy Race brake systems are now available.  20% lighter calipers and extreme heat resistant natural anodized finish for heavy racing applications.  Click here for our Trophy brakes announcement in our latest magazine ad.

Will your wheels clear a StopTech big brake kit?  Click here for a comprehensive set of wheel fitment templates and instructions for using them.

Under development!  We will be an exclusive dealer for StopTech's new Carbon Ceramic Brake System (CCBS).  Significantly lighter than cast iron, these shave up to 60 pounds of rotating weight from your brakes, dramatically improving handling, acceleration and ride.  Better heat capacity, resistance to cracking and oxidation, and responsiveness in heavy rain than existing OEM ceramic options, such as Porsche's PCCB system.  Not delicate, like C6 Corvette ZR1 brakes.  We've been conducting durability and usability testing for over 2 years, including track, street, and extreme winter conditions.  The system has performed beyond our expectations.  Call for details or check back for availability.

Click Here for Replacement parts for your StopTech big brake kit

To purchase a StopTech brake kit on-line, click here: and enter the part number into the Product Finder, or simply click on your make, model, and year car for a complete listing.  Or feel free to call us at (800)222-8893 x1 for help selecting the proper big brake kit for your needs.

Front 15" brake kit with ST-60 6-piston calipers, floating 380x35mm AeroRotors, stainless steel braided brake lines, and high performance street pads

$3395

83-B32-6D00

Front 15" Trophy Sport brake kit with ST-60 6-piston lightweight calipers, floating 380x35mm AeroRotors, stainless steel braided brake lines, and high performance street pads.  Calipers and hats are natural anodized finish for extreme heat resistance.  Dust boots included for street use.

$4145

83-B32-6D00-R1

 

High-Performance Brake Pads

Instructions for bedding in new brake pads

To order pads, 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 x1 for help selecting the proper parts. 

(Click here to order brake fluid!)

 

535i w/Standard front rotors, 330mm rear rotors

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.

F-$72

R-$47

63-104-1505

63-104-1473

 

535i w/Directional front rotors, 345mm rear rotors

550i Sedan

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.

F-$78

R-$47

63-104-1409

63-104-1469

 

Replacement Brake Pad Wear Sensors

BMW uses wear sensors to monitor the condition of your brake pads.  Although your BMW has eight brake pads, on most models, only two pads 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 below 2mm, the rotor chews through a plastic bump on the sensor and slices a wire.  This causes an open circuit, triggering a warning on your dash, either an idiot light or "CHECK BRAKE LININGS" message.  Once a warning has appeared, the sensor has been destroyed and must be replaced.

Each Centric replacement sensor comes with a wire and connector that clips into your BMW's wiring harness.  The other end (shown below in the enlarged gray box) clips into a slot at the top of your brake pad, with the plastic bump facing TOWARD the rotor.

E46 M3 sensor shown - your BMW model's sensor may have a different appearance

After replacing pads and sensors, the dash warning will still be illuminated.  However, you do not need your BMW dealer to reset the warning message.  To reset the warning on most pre-iDrive models, turn the ignition key to the run position, but do not start the car.  After about one minute, the brake pad warning will reset.  For newer models, the technique to reset the warning may vary.

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.

Brake pad wear sensor

F-$40

R-$31

64-116-34056

64-116-34061

 

 

Problems shifting your BMW F10 5-Series?

Many models of BMWs with 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmissions have a Clutch Delay Valve (CDV) installed by the factory.  This valve is the culprit behind the jerky shifting that makes your BMW hard to drive, even if you have been driving a standard transmission all your life.  When replaced with the Zeckhausen Racing modified CDV, your clutch is suddenly transformed into the smooth, easy to modulate clutch that should have been delivered from the factory as standard.  Extend the life of your clutch and increase the enjoyment of your BMW driving experience today! 

For full details of this modification, including history, theory of operation, installation instructions, and a free CDV exchange service by mail, click here.

Modified CDVs

Modified CDV for 535i 6-speed Manual

$26

CDV-005

Modified CDV for 550i 6-speed Manual

$35

CDV-008

 

Performance and Winter Tires

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, we recommend Tire Rack.  From Maximum Performance tires to All Season tires to Snow Tires, Tire Rack has it all.  Tire Rack also offers wheel and tire packages and can even tell you which wheels will clear your StopTech big brake upgrade.  Click the Tire Rack icon below for your best deal on wheels and tires. 

For wheel fitment information for cars equipped with StopTech or other big brake kits, contact Luke Pavlick at (888)541-1777 x362.

Tire Rack- Revolutionizing Tire Buying

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To order by phone or for technical assistance:

Call (800)222-8893 and press "1" for Sales

International customers may call: 973-761-5054

Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 10AM - 5PM  (Eastern Time)

We are located in Fairfield, New Jersey

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Copyright © 2011 Zeckhausen Racing, LLC
Last modified: 09/10/11