Just in case you’re the sort of chap who thought that the 2012 BMW M5 wasn’t good enough or didn’t have plenty of toys on it, the Bavarians are going to be adding something new to the mix.

Well, not exactly new, but still a considerable improvement possible on top of the enormous amount of equipment currently available on the 2012 BMW M5.

2012 BMW M5 - carbon brakes
2012 BMW M5 - carbon brakes

I’m talking about the incredibly over-rated in (terms of street worthy technology) that is the carbon ceramic brake disk setup.

Yes, I am aware of what I’ve just said. Everybody knows that carbon ceramic brakes are better than regular steel ones because they do not fade, they fare much better under severe pounding conditions and they are considerably lighter than regular brakes as well.

2012 BMW M5 - carbon brakes
2012 BMW M5 - carbon brakes

Sadly though, few know the disadvantages. Firstly, they lack a pretty important amount of braking feel and secondly, they don’t work very well when not driving hard.

Even in a BMW M5, driving through rainy conditions in town can be quite annoying, particularly when the brakes seem mushy.

2012 BMW M5 - carbon brakes
2012 BMW M5 - carbon brakes

What is important about BMW’s efforts with carbon ceramic brakes on the 2012 BMW M5 is that they are starting to offer something that used to be reserved for supercars and such.

The new brakes on the 2012 M5 are developed in competition with SGL Carbon and Brembo and while it’s an appreciated upgrade it may end up being needed as the beefy sedan can be tricky to stop at speed.