[Buzzard59]

When I ordered my X7 I forgot to order two features, the running boards, and the M Sport brake calipers. I always liked the painted calipers when you wash them they look nice and cool. I wanted to know if the dealer would install them, if anyone has done this before and if it is worth doing it.

[itiongo]

It would be far cheaper to just paint them and use decal stickers.

[classic_erik]

Forgot?

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by Buzzard59

When I ordered my X7 I forgot to order two features, the running boards, and the M Sport brake calipers. I always liked the painted calipers when you wash them they look nice and cool. I wanted to know if the dealer would install them, if anyone has done this before and if it is worth doing it.

the cost to do it after the fact is going to run about 4K.
better to paint and decal.

[PinkNinja400Guy]

On the X7 only the size of the brake discs varies between configurations (details linked). The exact same calipers are used on all X7s; the M-Sport ones are painted blue but are otherwise identical to the normal ones.

So you're better off taking your calipers to a shop to get painted. It would be a lot cheaper than buying BMW factory painted M-Sport calipers. Plus you could choose which color you want them to be painted.

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1803666

[Ace6180G07]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

On the X7 only the size of the brake discs varies between configurations (details linked). The exact same calipers are used on all X7s; the M-Sport ones are painted blue but are otherwise identical to the normal ones.

So you're better off taking your calipers to a shop to get painted. It would be a lot cheaper than buying BMW factory painted M-Sport calipers. Plus you could choose which color you want them to be painted.

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1803666

Agreed. My buddy painted these for a guy a couple of months back. They were OEM AMG calipers but they were gray and got lost behind the wheel. Obviously you will have unlimited colors to choose from also.

[Hoa]

That post is wrong and very misleading. I know for a fact calipers are not the same size because I personally upgraded from 374 to 395. All of them are 4 piston calipers but they are not the same size. There is no way to increase rotor size and still fit the same caliper in the same location.

If you zoom in, you can tell the calipers are different sizes in the photos they posted. The pins are in the middle for the smaller one which is 348 caliper. The pins are on the outer one for the larger one which is 374.

348 calipers - 34116891287, 34116891288

374 calipers - 34116891307, 34116891308

395 calipers - 34106891327, 34106891328

[Hoa]

Just snapped these extra calipers I have to show the difference in sizes. I don’t have 395 (largest) on hand to show but the pins are on the outer holes similar to 374 (medium) calipers.

[kyoshozx]

Originally Posted by Hoa

That post is wrong and very misleading. I know for a fact calipers are not the same size because I personally upgraded from 374 to 395. All of them are 4 piston calipers but they are not the same size. There is no way to increase rotor size and still fit the same caliper in the same location.

If you zoom in, you can tell the calipers are different sizes in the photos they posted. The pins are in the middle for the smaller one which is 348 caliper. The pins are on the outer one for the larger one which is 374.

348 calipers - 34116891287, 34116891288

374 calipers - 34116891307, 34116891308

395 calipers - 34106891327, 34106891328

Curious, what was the process in upgrading to the larger rotors? You needed to purchase the larger calipers and rotors? anything else?

[Hoa]

Originally Posted by kyoshozx

Curious, what was the process in upgrading to the larger rotors? You needed to purchase the larger calipers and rotors? anything else?

374 -> 395
Caliper, pads and rotors

348 -> 374 or 395
caliper, pads, rotors and dust sheild

[kyoshozx]

Originally Posted by Hoa

374 -> 395
Caliper, pads and rotors

348 -> 374 or 395
caliper, pads, rotors and dust sheild

Thanks, one more follow up question. Did you notice a big difference in braking performance when you upgraded to the larger rotors?

[Hoa]

Originally Posted by kyoshozx

Thanks, one more follow up question. Did you notice a big difference in braking performance when you upgraded to the larger rotors?

Not much. It’s more on the aesthetic side than stopping power gains. You are adding a lot more rotating mass with larger rotors.

[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by Hoa

Not much. It’s more on the aesthetic side than stopping power gains. You are adding a lot more rotating mass with larger rotors.

Interesting you say that you didn't feel any difference in stopping power. I wonder why BMW upgraded its brakes size bigger when you chose a tow package.

PS: the calipers look identical in size based on the picture you posted. 🤷‍♂️

[Hoa]

Originally Posted by ivinioX7

Interesting you say that you didn't feel any difference in stopping power. I wonder why BMW upgraded its brakes size bigger when you chose a tow package.

PS: the calipers look identical in size based on the picture you posted. 🤷‍♂️

The tow package you are referring to is an upgrade from 348 to 374. There is a difference between size and performance between 348 and 374. Rotor and pads are larger. It will help with brake fade since the rotor is larger, it doesn’t get so hot compared to a smaller rotor. Also, larger pads equals more stopping power.

I upgraded mines from 374 to 395. It is basically just a larger housing with everything else the same. The pads are the same exact size even though the housing is larger physically. Even the pistons are the same size. You do have a larger rotor from 374 to 395 but you also add more rotating mass. I don’t know how it perform with a load attached to my car so I don’t know if it will help or not but for daily driving and sometime quick slowdown, it felt the same for me. It might help a little with brake fade but I can’t see much performance gain as far as slowing down. I did the upgrade because I had 395 in my F10 535 (yes, in my F10) and wanted to go down one size so I can fit factory 19” with some extra clearance.

In the photo I uploaded, the 348 was closer to me and 374 was further away. Given that perspective, it’s still smaller if you compare end to end. Draw a line straight down from both ends of 374 caliper, you will see that 348 is smaller. I sell these calipers pretty often in F10 5 series because it is a popular upgrade.

[PinkNinja400Guy]

Originally Posted by ivinioX7

Interesting you say that you didn't feel any difference in stopping power. I wonder why BMW upgraded its brakes size bigger when you chose a tow package.

PS: the calipers look identical in size based on the picture you posted. ��‍♂️

Stopping power is limited by traction (tires). In general, increasing rotor size or using a caliper with more pistons or using more aggressive pads doesn't really affect stopping power (well, maximum possible stopping power of the brake system is technically increased, but that increase is pointless since you're being limited by your tires before you can even reach the limits of your brake system). If you can get ABS to kick in, that means you've hit the traction limits of your tires.

What bigger brakes do provide is better ability to absorb and dissipate heat, which prevents them from overheating. A small brake system will quickly heat soak and lose effectiveness. A bigger system will take longer to heat up in the first place. Warm rotors are continuously shedding heat into the air, bigger rotors have more surface area so they should also have better heat dissipation.

That's why the brakes are upgraded for trailers. Going down a steep and long downhill section, the brakes will heat up more since they have to deal with the extra momentum of the trailer, and the stock ones may not be able to keep up for extended periods of time. The other common scenario is for taking your car to the track. Stock rotors will start to overheat and lose effectiveness after a few laps (even the "M" brakes on the X5/X7 aren't really good enough for hard track usage afaik). A big brake kit will let you run forever without ever overheating.

[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by Hoa

The tow package you are referring to is an upgrade from 348 to 374. There is a difference between size and performance between 348 and 374. Rotor and pads are larger. It will help with brake fade since the rotor is larger, it doesn’t get so hot compared to a smaller rotor. Also, larger pads equals more stopping power.

I upgraded mines from 374 to 395. It is basically just a larger housing with everything else the same. The pads are the same exact size even though the housing is larger physically. Even the pistons are the same size. You do have a larger rotor from 374 to 395 but you also add more rotating mass. I don’t know how it perform with a load attached to my car so I don’t know if it will help or not but for daily driving and sometime quick slowdown, it felt the same for me. It might help a little with brake fade but I can’t see much performance gain as far as slowing down. I did the upgrade because I had 395 in my F10 535 (yes, in my F10) and wanted to go down one size so I can fit factory 19” with some extra clearance.

In the photo I uploaded, the 348 was closer to me and 374 was further away. Given that perspective, it’s still smaller if you compare end to end. Draw a line straight down from both ends of 374 caliper, you will see that 348 is smaller. I sell these calipers pretty often in F10 5 series because it is a popular upgrade.

Gotcha, that makes sense.
I would like to follow up with another dumb question. How do you measure your brakes?
I have a 40i with an M package, does the BMW use the standard size brakes for this model? Not the smallest I assume, I hope 😬

[Hoa]

Originally Posted by ivinioX7

Gotcha, that makes sense.
I would like to follow up with another dumb question. How do you measure your brakes?
I have a 40i with an M package, does the BMW use the standard size brakes for this model? Not the smallest I assume, I hope 😬

Post a photo of your caliper

[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by Hoa

Post a photo of your caliper

Here you go.

[Hoa]

Originally Posted by ivinioX7

Here you go.

That’s 348 Front and 345 Rear

[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by Hoa

That’s 348 Front and 345 Rear

Thank you. So in my case, if I want to go with bigger brakes, is have to replace the calipers, rotors, the housing with brake shield?

[Hoa]

Originally Posted by ivinioX7

Thank you. So in my case, if I want to go with bigger brakes, is have to replace the calipers, rotors, the housing with brake shield?

Yes, that is correct. Heat shield is not required. I do have a pair of 374 in silver just like your current one. PM me if you are interested

[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by Hoa

Yes, that is correct. Heat shield is not required. I do have a pair of 374 in silver just like your current one. PM me if you are interested

Nice! Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to send PMs yet (newbie) 😄