B10 V8S front brakes - suggestions before I sell a kidney!

[Metrics]

I'm pretty sure the Brembo calipers on my V8S need some attention. My intention is to get them completely rebuilt by BCR in Nottingham. I think the discs and pads have some life left in them, but have seen better days so thinking to replace them at the same time. Now I know these brakes are eyewateringly expensive but I've just got off the phone to Sytner - are you sitting down - over £2000 for parts alone

So as you can imagine I am looking for some advice here - are there any alternatives that other forum members are aware of?

My thinking is as follows:

* Refurb calipers, keep existing tired set up
* Refurb calipers and use non Alpina discs and pads (eg. Tarox do alternative discs)
* Ditch the whole existing front brake set up and fit an entirely aftermarket new brake kit
* Ditch the existing set up and go backwards to 540 brakes (and accept the non-original flaming)

Thoughts and advice gratefully accepted!

[jolls]

I knew the V8S brakes were expensive but 2k for parts alone!

I would get the calipers refurbished and source new disc and pads.

Have a read of this link here; http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5 ... ipers.html it may give you some ideas.

[Metrics]

Thanks jolls, read that thread. Highlights some of the difficulties well!!

[greenelekta]

After spending so much on buying a brand new Alpina steering wheel for your car I think it would be a shame to change the brakes for none original. How much are kidneys fetching?

[Metrics]

True Sir, but £2k for parts, £400 on the caliper refurb - ouch.
This Alpina lark isn't for the faint hearted!

[greenelekta]

True Sir, but £2k for parts, £400 on the caliper refurb - ouch.
This Alpina lark isn't for the faint hearted!

Caliper refurb (blue) + new discs then? Sell the Merc and keep both kidneys!

[Metrics]

Yep - I thought the same and puts this situation in sharp context - front brakes on the V8S cost pretty much the value of the 190E. Nuts!

[BarryM]

You've got to stick with original Brembo brakes as they're one of the key differences between the V8 & V8s.

I must say £2k is outrageous but are they fully floating discs, and where are you sending the calipers to be refurb'ed?

If nothing else you've made me feel much better about doing the refresh on my front brakes now

[brett]

http://pro-calipers.co.uk/

Hi metrics

Try these for the calper refub ,I think they are closer to you


Brett

[greenelekta]

Just looking at my old receipts, 2013 new discs + pads + labour cost £1500. So if you can make a saving it will be on the caliper refurb

[JASV8S]

What parts made up the £2k. I thought the discs were circa £1100 and the pads about £400?

[BarryM]

I've been looking at caliper refurbs over the weekend and this outfit get some very good reviews, more expensive than Bigg Red but I read a couple of iffy reviews over BR work and if you google BrakeCaliperRefurbs you'll see some very happy people.

https://www.facebook.com/BrakeCaliperRefurbs/

[Metrics]

Barry, using these guys I think, seem to have the best write up:

http://www.brakecaliperspecialists.uk/

There's even a testimonial from Matt Stripling on the site!

Jas, I thought the same on the parts prices, but I think they may have gone up at the beginning of this year. The discs are £635 + Vat each!! Pads £430 + Vat. Mad pricing whatever way you look at it.

Dave, I have the same cost for the first set in the history of my car. I might get the discs checked out and see if they're salvageable as I doubt they're totally past it. I just don't like the idea of using old parts when the calipers will be like new, kind of makes sense to renew everything at once. Just the mad pricing making me wince!

[v8 ego]

I am not necessarily advocating this route and it depends on your thoughts around originality but could you not go down the B10 V8 route - i.e. 540i brakes, or failing that convert to E65 760i brakes as used on the B5?

[Metrics]

Hi James

Certainly up for considering the options. I'd certainly prefer to stay original, but every man has his breaking point!