Re: How can I Prevent Front Rotor Warpage? (archive)

I've had my E28 M5 for a little over a year now and I'm about to put the SECOND set of new front rotors on it! I know rotor warpage is a common problem for E28s, but can anyone tell me what I can do to prevent it? The car is my daily driver and I don't use it on the track (yet). I don't drive it hard very often. I never wash it just after I've been out driving. I am using OEM rotors and pads.

IMHO,
Replace the rear rotors and calipers with the 540/M5 300x20mm rotors and calipers. You will never hear an owner of an E-34 M5 complain about front rotor warpage even though the rotor design is the same for the E-24/28 & E-34 ///M cars. This upgrade will change the brake balance to something like 66%F/34%R from 73%F/27%R. This rebalance of the brake bias will unload the front brake and help the car remain more level during hard braking.
Go To:
http://www.bubbaclub.com/rob/m5/rearbrakes/
for an overview.
I did this upgrade in 1992 on my M6 and it is an awesome brake upgrade. I recommend leaving the fronts as designed for the M5/6 with the 300x30mm rotor and not risk the unknown affects of using a rotor that is at the wear limit(302x28mm from a E-32, 750) for the 4 piston caliper. Again the E-34 M5's do not warp front rotor because the braking duties are better proportioned front to rear. The rear rotors from a E-32 will not fit an E-34 however the calipers from the 750 are the same as the calipers on the 540/M5 calipers.

Follow Ups:

[ Follow Ups ] [ M5 (E28) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.