[Chasta]

Here are some after pics. If anyone has questions about the installation or otherwise, hit me up. I'll be more than happy to answer them if I can. You can do this yourself and keep your "stealership" from getting more of your hard-earned money. BTW, brakes are a little "noisier" than the factory ones. No squeal, but I can hear the pads sliding against the rotors with the windows down. Couldn't hear that before. The extra noise may be because I haven't completed the "bedding" process yet. I have also read that the M pads will create more brake dust and wear a bit faster than stock. Just some addt. info for anyone thinking about this mod. Cheers.

[540iSUP]

Originally Posted by Chasta

Here are some after pics. If anyone has questions about the installation or otherwise, hit me up. I'll be more than happy to answer them if I can. You can do this yourself and keep your "stealership" from getting more of your hard-earned money. BTW, brakes are a little "noisier" than the factory ones. No squeal, but I can hear the pads sliding against the rotors with the windows down. Couldn't hear that before. The extra noise may be because I haven't completed the "bedding" process yet. I have also read that the M pads will create more brake dust and wear a bit faster than stock. Just some addt. info for anyone thinking about this mod. Cheers.

Did you have to get anything coded?

[Chasta]

Originally Posted by 540iSUP

Did you have to get anything coded?

I have a scheduled appt. at the dealer for some basic maintenance and will request coding at that time just to maximize their potential. I'll keep you posted on the results.

[CHicksM575]

I also upgraded from blue to red back in 2019... Not a fan of blue on dark cars.

[TEF]

What is recoded with the installation of larger rotors and calipers? The only two wires leading to this area are the wheel speed and brake pad wear sensors. Assuming one maintains the same overall wheel diameters and the new brake pads are not excessively worn, how does the car know its brakes have been upgraded?

[Chasta]

Originally Posted by TEF

What is recoded with the installation of larger rotors and calipers? The only two wires leading to this area are the wheel speed and brake pad wear sensors. Assuming one maintains the same overall wheel diameters and the new brake pads are not excessively worn, how does the car know its brakes have been upgraded?

I have read that coding a vehicle with a brake upgrade (see retrofit) is a good idea, but not always necessary. When you tell the vehicle's computer that it now has performance brakes, it may change valving and brake bias (fronts/rears), while increasing line pressures for more clamping force. If you choose not to code, the brakes will still work as intended, but may not achieve their full potential.

[Chasta]

I'm guessing that if line pressure is indeed increased, SS brake lines might be a good addition during the install. They can handle more pressure without deformation or swelling. Might as well while you have everything apart.

[Chasta]

Originally Posted by CHicksM575

I also upgraded from blue to red back in 2019... Not a fan of blue on dark cars.

Looks a lot better. Also looks like you had your rims powdercoated. Nice touch.

[Chasta]

Originally Posted by 540iSUP

Did you have to get anything coded?

I posted this in another brake-related thread, so apologies up front for the redundancy. I did, however, promise to keep you abreast of the coding results. Here ya go.

"Dealer charged $226 USD for coding on the M Brake package retrofit. I think that's excessive but by the time I pay for a tuner or software or the appropriate cable, I could easily waste more of my time and money. Worst case scenario, I could fail to code properly or screw something up. I'm sure a reputable BMW repair shop could do it for cheaper but I didn't shop around. I'll let you guys know if I can tell a difference after coding. Probably not..."

"Ok...so first impressions after coding are it feels very similar to how it did before. If anything, the brake pedal feels like there is less "slack" in it and the brakes engage immediately. Before coding, there seemed to be a little bit of play in the pedal before the brakes began to grab, but that's gone now. The best analogy I can give is how, when shooting, you take up slack in the trigger before firing the weapon. Was it worth the $226 from a performance aspect? No, I don't think so. But for peace of mind and as someone who likes to do things "right," I don't regret paying."

[540iSUP]

Originally Posted by CHicksM575

I also upgraded from blue to red back in 2019... Not a fan of blue on dark cars.

Damn that looks so clean!

[rjjr1963]

My 2021 540ix has the M Sport package but the calipers are raw grey. They are identical to the painted calipers in size and shape so what brakes do I really have? Are the M Sport?

[Knifeedge2k1]

Originally Posted by rjjr1963

My 2021 540ix has the M Sport package but the calipers are raw grey. They are identical to the painted calipers in size and shape so what brakes do I really have? Are the M Sport?

Haven't seen that before
You have a picture?

[rjjr1963]

Originally Posted by Knifeedge2k1

Haven't seen that before
You have a picture?

I went ahead and had my calipers painted red.

[Knifeedge2k1]

interesting

I guess you can put your vin into bimmercat to check but it just seems like they missed a step at the factory

did you give your dealer a call ?

[rjjr1963]

Originally Posted by Knifeedge2k1

interesting

I guess you can put your vin into bimmercat to check but it just seems like they missed a step at the factory

did you give your dealer a call ?

No but I did get access to the service manual. It states you can get the M Sport brakes if you order the sport package or if you order calibers separately.

[Knifeedge2k1]

Originally Posted by rjjr1963

No but I did get access to the service manual. It states you can get the M Sport brakes if you order the sport package or if you order calibers separately.

Yours
https://bimmercat.com/bmw/en/search/...8C/ECE/34_2452

M Sports
https://bimmercat.com/bmw/en/search/...8C/ECE/34_2451

You can look up the part numbers to see if they're actually comparable

From Bimmercat it looks like your rotors are a bit smaller than the MSports Version but the caliper ... no idea

[Knifeedge2k1]

Strangely the blue calipers despite being heavier (shipping weight) is cheaper

https://www.baum-bmwshop24.de/catalo...s-34116891303/
https://www.baum-bmwshop24.de/catalo...s-34116891304/

vs

https://www.baum-bmwshop24.de/catalo...s-34116891275/
https://www.baum-bmwshop24.de/catalo...s-34116891276/

[rjjr1963]

I found this document and it looks like the 540 with the Sport Package gets the bigger calipers and rotors. I think the separate option simply is a colored caliper.

[Chasta]

I would pull the calipers and contact a reputable powdercoating company to do the honors. If you want standard BMW colors, make sure to take an example (picture, etc.) in with you so you can choose a color that's very similar to the standard red/blue. Otherwise, go wild and customize to your liking. Then, simply reinstall. "M" caliper decals are available through the dealership or online.

P.S. If you have any other parts you want powdercoated (e.g. wheels), that would be the time to do it. You'll save money by coating in bulk versus a piece here and there.

[Kriz2fer]

Originally Posted by rjjr1963

I went ahead and had my calipers painted red.

I don’t think it’s just paint. I think the m sports on the 540 are larger.

[PPMKING]

Originally Posted by Kriz2fer

I don't think it's just paint. I think the m sports on the 540 are larger.

You are correct. The m sport brakes which rotors are larger 374x36. The standard rotors for 540 without m sport brakes is 348x36. If calipers are not blue, then it's the standard brakes.

[oilandgas]

Originally Posted by rjjr1963

I went ahead and had my calipers painted red.

Where did you have them painted with the decals? Im looking to get this done in Va.