Considering Blue or Red calipers

TEF · 05-19-2022, 10:25 AM

I have a 2018 540d xdrive with silver (Continental) front calipers and would like to install blue or red Brembo calipers. Is this a simple bolt-on project (i.e. fixing new Brembo caliper to existing steering knuckle) or will it require new knuckles? Rotor size of 348 mm seems the same for both styles, however correct me if I am wrong. Additionally do the red and blue calipers fit under 18" wheels?

Also are the red and blue calipers similar with exception of color or do they differ in size and mounting?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Dallasguy1985 · 05-19-2022, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEF

I have a 2018 540d xdrive with silver (Continental) front calipers and would like to install blue or red Brembo calipers. Is this a simple bolt-on project (i.e. fixing new Brembo caliper to existing steering knuckle) or will it require new knuckles? Rotor size of 348 mm seems the same for both styles, however correct me if I am wrong. Additionally do the red and blue calipers fit under 18" wheels?

Also are the red and blue calipers similar with exception of color or do they differ in size and mounting?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I have the factory option blue calipers and it came with 20" wheels I highly doubt any bigger calipers will fit with the 18" but not sure others who have experience pls chime in. Thanks.

Attaching the picture just for some idea.

TEF · 05-20-2022, 08:38 AM

Judging by your photo, it would seem you're correct about fitting the larger caliper into an 18-inch wheel. Since I don't want this project to snowball into a very expensive modification, I'll put the front brake project on hold.

Thanks for your input and photo.

Return_of_Bimmer · 05-31-2022, 07:15 AM

If it is the color you are after, just paint them with high temp spray paint. I am doing it for my silver 540 soon.

Joe-BMW33 · 06-01-2022, 05:35 AM

I think the install is straight forward. Swap out the calipers for the ///M calipers and swap out the rotors as well. Your issue though it getting the ///M calipers to clear the wheel. I do not think any 18" option wheels are made for the ///M Sport brakes.

NGT2 · 06-01-2022, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Return_of_Bimmer

If it is the color you are after, just paint them with high temp spray paint. I am doing it for my silver 540 soon.

I've been trying to find someone in town that will paint mine black and so far, no luck.

Joe-BMW33 · 06-02-2022, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGT2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Return_of_Bimmer

If it is the color you are after, just paint them with high temp spray paint. I am doing it for my silver 540 soon.

I've been trying to find someone in town that will paint mine black and so far, no luck.

My detailer did it on my E39. I would ask your detailer or DIY.

emre · 06-04-2022, 01:37 PM

M Sport brakes do fit in 18"
It's the M Performance brakes that require 19" minimum

540iSUP · 06-05-2022, 03:37 AM

Blue and Red calipers used to mean M Sport vs M Performance. Now I believe you can get either set in any color.

For the rear, you only need the caliper and carrier. The caliper itself for the rear LCI and Pre-LCI are the same, the difference is the rotors and caliper carriers.

For the front you have 2 options: 395mm and I think 375mm or something like that. The 375 will clear 19 and some 18 inch wheels. The 395 will fit 20 and some 19 in wheels. The awesome thing about BMW is that all these parts are available and interchangeable. You can get the bigger 395 calipers from 8 series BMWs for relatively cheap.

Putting all these parts together will cost anywhere between $1000 - $3000. Picking up a couple of cans of Hi temp caliper paint, a cheap paint brush, some brake cleaner, and an afternoon will cost about $30 - $40.

If "performance" is what you really want, do the caliper upgrade, if its just for show, just paint them.

05-19-2022, 10:25 AM	#1
TEF First Lieutenant 111 Rep 377 Posts Drives: 16 X3 28d/18 540d xdrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Western PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2016 X3 28d [0.00]	Considering Blue or Red calipers - How Involed? I have a 2018 540d xdrive with silver (Continental) front calipers and would like to install blue or red Brembo calipers. Is this a simple bolt-on project (i.e. fixing new Brembo caliper to existing steering knuckle) or will it require new knuckles? Rotor size of 348 mm seems the same for both styles, however correct me if I am wrong. Additionally do the red and blue calipers fit under 18" wheels? Also are the red and blue calipers similar with exception of color or do they differ in size and mounting? Thanks in advance for your help.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-20-2022, 08:38 AM	#3
TEF First Lieutenant 111 Rep 377 Posts Drives: 16 X3 28d/18 540d xdrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Western PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2016 X3 28d [0.00]	Judging by your photo, it would seem you're correct about fitting the larger caliper into an 18-inch wheel. Since I don't want this project to snowball into a very expensive modification, I'll put the front brake project on hold. Thanks for your input and photo.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-31-2022, 07:15 AM	#4
Return_of_Bimmer New Member 16 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 540I XDrive Join Date: May 2021 Location: Ashburn, VA iTrader: (0)	If it is the color you are after, just paint them with high temp spray paint. I am doing it for my silver 540 soon.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-01-2022, 05:35 AM	#5
Joe-BMW33 Major General 7338 Rep 6,749 Posts Drives: '18 M550i\|'21 X5\|'03 540i Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 VW Tiguan [0.00] 2015 Infiniti QX60 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5 [0.00] 2003 BMW 540i [0.00] 2018 BMW M550 [10.00]	I think the install is straight forward. Swap out the calipers for the ///M calipers and swap out the rotors as well. Your issue though it getting the ///M calipers to clear the wheel. I do not think any 18" option wheels are made for the ///M Sport brakes. __________________ 2018 M550ix\|Carbon Black\|Dinan Modifications\|2003 540i\|Jet Black\|M-Sport\|2021 X5 Mineral White Prior BMW's: 1987 325e\|1993 740i\|1998 740il\|2001 530i\|2002 745li\|2007 750li\|2006 750li\|2001 530i\|2012 535xi\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2022, 01:37 PM	#8
emre First Lieutenant 85 Rep 375 Posts Drives: G30 540i xDrive Join Date: May 2010 Location: Istanbul iTrader: (0)	M Sport brakes do fit in 18" It's the M Performance brakes that require 19" minimum __________________ G30 540i xDrive M Sport MPPSK / BM3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2022, 03:37 AM	#9
540iSUP Captain 704 Rep 803 Posts Drives: G30, E36 Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: California iTrader: (1)	Blue and Red calipers used to mean M Sport vs M Performance. Now I believe you can get either set in any color. For the rear, you only need the caliper and carrier. The caliper itself for the rear LCI and Pre-LCI are the same, the difference is the rotors and caliper carriers. For the front you have 2 options: 395mm and I think 375mm or something like that. The 375 will clear 19 and some 18 inch wheels. The 395 will fit 20 and some 19 in wheels. The awesome thing about BMW is that all these parts are available and interchangeable. You can get the bigger 395 calipers from 8 series BMWs for relatively cheap. Putting all these parts together will cost anywhere between $1000 - $3000. Picking up a couple of cans of Hi temp caliper paint, a cheap paint brush, some brake cleaner, and an afternoon will cost about $30 - $40. If "performance" is what you really want, do the caliper upgrade, if its just for show, just paint them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote