Anyone use Brembo BM5 (newer Touareg) calipers instead of 17Z/18Z?

[Smarty39]

So I can get an absolutely screaming deal on a set of Brembo BM5 calipers off of a 2014 Touareg...but I can't find much info on them. They have the same mounting setup as the 17Z/18Z but the profile of the actual caliper is different. Just seeing if anyone has used these instead before and if the install is any different (ie. uses same bolt kit, discs, etc)?

Any info would be awesome!

TIA

[rdcyclist]

please define "Screaming Deal" and can anybody else jump in on "Screaming Deal"?

[Smarty39]

haha...$100 for the pair and they are at a local junkyard to me so unfortunately only one set.

BUT, can they be used the same as the 17z/18z? I know the BM5 are only 4-pots but still nice and beefy...have to be an upgrade over stock for sure.

[LINDW4LL]

I believe these are still the same four-pots that VW switched the Touareg to in 2007 (they were called "1LE" at the time). They look identical and same rotor size. If correct, then something to be aware of is that these calipers have 4x 46mm pistons- which gives a massive piston area. 9% more than 17Z (of which the area is already quite large) and 20% more than 18Z. But, they do bolt up the same as 17Z- they just use different pads and pad hardware.

1LE 2x46mm pistons - 3324 mm^2
18Z 30/34/38mm - 2749 mm^2
17Z 34/36/38mm - 3060 mm^2

[Smarty39]

Thanks for the info...but I am not a brake expert my any means. Is the larger piston area a good thing or a bad thing? Bad because our master cylinder may not handle it as well (extra effort to push pistons out) or good because there is a larger clamping area on the rotors?

The calipers definitely look different but the mounting points are the same so not sure which part you are referring to when saying they look 'identical'? But yes, they apparently use the same 330mm rotor on the Touareg and these calipers are a direct bolt-on for older Touaregs...so I assumed they would work the same as the 17z's.

[LINDW4LL]

Thanks for the info...but I am not a brake expert my any means. Is the larger piston area a good thing or a bad thing? Bad because our master cylinder may not handle it as well (extra effort to push pistons out) or good because there is a larger clamping area on the rotors?

The calipers definitely look different but the mounting points are the same so not sure which part you are referring to when saying they look 'identical'? But yes, they apparently use the same 330mm rotor on the Touareg and these calipers are a direct bolt-on for older Touaregs...so I assumed they would work the same as the 17z's.

A larger piston area (and more clamping force) is a good thing IF:

1) If proper brake bias is maintained. Throwing a huge caliper up front without upgrading the rear accordingly can increase stopping distance.

2) If the master cylinder can handle it. I have no issues with my 17Z in this regard but do realize that it's already pushing significantly more fluid than the stock setup and would be hesitant to go too much larger. Just something to consider.

Here are the four-piston "1LE" Brembos that VW switched over to for the 07/08+ Touaregs that I mentioned look identical to the "BM5". I'm assuming they're the same caliper with a name change.

[Smarty39]

Thanks again for the info...not sure what to do now lol. I have no intentions of upgrading the rears (other than a 300mm kit, but that is just rotor size, no change in caliper) so maybe 17Z is still the way to go? I had 17Z on my allroad and loved them and I have 18Z's in the garage but I don't really want to run them as I have a really nice set of 17" winters and they won't fit. Was hoping these would be an option just because they are so cheap and the Touareg they are off of only had 42k on it...

And yes, those are the Brembo BM5 (or 1LE) calipers in question. I actually like the profile of them more than the 17/8Z's...they are not so 'sharp' on the edges if that makes sense.

[julex]

I have no intentions of upgrading the rears (other than a 300mm kit, but that is just rotor size, no change in caliper)

Right there it is a significant braking upgrade because you just increased the caliper's leverage by increasing the pad's travel distance over one wheel revolution by 2*Pi*"the difference in radii" (between stock and 300mm caliper mounting distance from center of wheel) and thus you're gaining as much braking force on the rear wheel.

[Jayz691]

Right there it is a significant braking upgrade because you just increased the caliper's leverage by increasing the pad's travel distance over one wheel revolution by 2*Pi*"the difference in radii" (between stock and 300mm caliper mounting distance from center of wheel) and thus you're gaining as much braking force on the rear wheel.

I know its an old thread, but someone is in process of making bracket to run 330mm rotors on rear, with stock s4 caliper setup. Similar to JHM setup, without the $600 rotor price tag. Gonna be in the $50 range for bracket.

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[Airrik]

I know its an old thread, but someone is in process of making bracket to run 330mm rotors on rear, with stock s4 caliper setup. Similar to JHM setup, without the $600 rotor price tag. Gonna be in the $50 range for bracket.

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There is allready a solution for 335mm (100€) and 356mm (130€)

https://epytec.de/en/brake-system/ad...r-brake-system

https://epytec.de/en/brake-system/ad...adapter?c=1953

[Jayz691]

There is allready a solution for 335mm (100€) and 356mm (130€)

https://epytec.de/en/brake-system/ad...r-brake-system

https://epytec.de/en/brake-system/ad...adapter?c=1953

Well those are both for b5. I'm talking b6/b7. Also, this is only gonna be about $50. Those are triple that.

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