DIYers - Thoughts on aftermarket brake pads - Less dust? Difference in performance?

[TXSTYLE]

Yes or No? :dunno:

I posted this when I first joined bimmerfest over a year ago. I explained that I knew what I was getting into even before I bought my 7! I'm very observant and I noticed that on most European cars, particularly BMW and Benz, that brake dust was waaaay out of hand... Especially on 7's! :yikes:
I have owned many different makes and models of cars and I have tried many different brake pads because I'm a "shoe guy". Meaning all of my cars need new shoes. :D With this in mind, i always seek out some low-dusting yet solid performing pads. (don't want zero dust but I end up sliding into an intersection when it's raining and get T-boned by a bus :yikes: )

I tried telling folks here about the very first and BEST mod i have performed on my 7, but no one seemed interested. :dunno:
Again, I say to you that the pads I currently have on my 7 are the BEST I HAVE EVER USED ON ANY CAR!
Not only are they CERAMICS (right there you know you have a low dusting high quality product being used on supercars) but they are manufactured by a reputable company of OEM pads: AKEBONO



Should you be interested and really want to stop all the dust and retain high perfromance and quietness all at the same time... Look no further than here:

http://www.akebonobrakes.com/aftermarket/euro/index.html

European car owners across North America now have a brake pad solution that will keep their wheels virtually free from dust and provide the European stopping power they expect. The use of highly advanced ceramic brake pad technology allows Akebono***8217;s ***8220;EURO***8221; pad line to provide excellent stopping power while extending rotor life and virtually eliminating brake dust.

Akebono is determined to focus on the creation of value in all products. For over two decades, Akebono Ceramic Technology (ACT) has been the original equipment (OE) standard on many of North America***8217;s passenger cars, light trucks, and SUVs and has set the benchmark for ceramic pads used in OE vehicle production. Most importantly, European OE manufacturers now request Akebono products for their North American vehicles.

Akebono***8217;s Aftermarket disc pads contain the same materials, engineering, quality standards, and advanced technologies used to create their OE ceramic brake pads. The use of Akebono ceramic brake pads ensures customer satisfaction and eliminates unnecessary return visits to the shop.

Part # EURO918 for all 02'-07' 7-Series

Now don't ever say "Nobody told me about these?" :eeps:

:thumbup:

[tkasser]

Ok, so where do you buy them?

[erunithug]

of all the cars i have ever had, the worst brake dust problem was with my 3 series.

[sunny_j]

so how does the braking power compare to the oem pads?

[LBC X5]

I've heard good things about them.. i have the axxis super deluxe on mine.. and also love them

[M.Wong]

I can't speak for the E65/66 but I have had Akebono Euros for the E38, front and rear, for about the last 15K miles...

Some braking sharpness is decreased, you give up some of the crisp feel of the pedal, especially when first hitting the pedal. I don't know that the OEM feeling can be had from anything but OEM. Two things... you get used to the feel after about a week, and the pads seem to settle or 'bed' in after about the same time. In comparison to the OEM pads on my E39, there is clearly a difference in initial sharp or crispness... but it's not a problem once some time passes.

Yet no complaints about overall performance. I did several 80MPH down to 10MPH panic stop-like tests and the braking power was all there.

Just give yourself some extra room, especially if you are in rush hour stop and go, when you first get them. Once you get the feel of them, you will not think twice.

Dustless? Yes, very much so! I can wash the wheels with the same sponge as the rest of the car. Before, the car sponge always rotated out to be the wheel sponge. If you don't wash the car even a couple months, you don't get a week's worth of OEM pad front wheel brake dust. The dust that does appear is lighter and not as thick.

Mine came from BimmerZone.com and I think TireRack.com also had them. Again, this was for the E38.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/mwong/Brembo%20Akebono.JPG

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/mwong/Skagit%202.JPG
(Yes, the x-drilled holes are facing the right way - according to Brembo's specs of these rotors.)

[745ByMySide]

Yeah right, I will never switch from OEM but thats only my .02

[Chevere]

Ok, so where do you buy them?

+1

[dannydos]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E65-E66-745-760-i-Li-Brake-Disc-Pad-Pads-Rotor-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33564QQihZ015QQitem Z250192537079

ebay....is the only place that has them for e65/66....im still looking

[dannydos]

tons of mixed reviews on brake pads for e65/66(in general)...on the net...this person is saying he loves them....http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e65/8612524-1.html

only people with these pads should be commenting on them... imo

[TXSTYLE]

Sorry for the delayed response guys. Got to spend time with the Fams. ;)

I'm actually trying to track down my receipt, email, and or website. I can't seem to remember, but I know TireRack also carries them. At the time however, they didn't have my application. I will continue to search if you guys DO want them.

I like M. Wong's evaluation as it is quite accurate. I noticed an ever so slight cushion in the very beginning, but after about a few days, they firmed up just like stock to me. Another plus is ceramic pads don't require "bedding-in". As he mentioned, no pad will be quite as grabby as OEM and thus that's why their so damn dusty... because they are such a soft compound. BUT... do not let this deter you guys! I am here to confirm that they stop on a dime... period!!! They wear very well as I don't take any modification to my cars for granted. And again, they are practically dust-free. I would imagine if and when I decide to install cross-drilled rotors, it will get even better. Why? the holes actually draw more dust towards the inside of the wheel. However.... They also cool down alot more quickly and take more stopping to heat up, and typically high-performance pads require some heat to grab better.

In a nutshell... these pads rock on this car!

[Din]

ive also been telling ppl to go with the akenbno dustless pads. Ive had them on for a year and they seem to work great.

[Stefan7]

Do these new pads mess with warranty?

[TXSTYLE]

If they do Stef, I haven't been informed by my dealer.... Come to think of it. No need to really mention it unless they are about to service your brakes. ;)

[ProRail]

Now don't ever say "Nobody told me about these?" :eeps:
:thumbup:
Okay.....I promise.

[chart505]

FWIW, I have used the Mintex "red box" pads on every BMW I have owned over the years. They are also very low dust and retain most of the OEM feel.

[Lappy]

Make it sticky or something ;)
This is a question asked once a week.

[TXSTYLE]

Make it sticky or something ;)
This is a question asked once a week.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

[blk45]

www.rockauto.com has good pricing on these.

[Chevere]

www.rockauto.com has good pricing on these.

blk45,

is that price for both the front? and same for the rear?

[blk45]

blk45,

is that price for both the front? and same for the rear?

Fronts EUR918 = $85.79
Rears EUR919 = $70.89

[Chevere]

Fronts EUR918 = $85.79
Rears EUR919 = $70.89


fronts and rears come in a set right? one set will do both wheels?

Thanks

[blk45]

fronts and rears come in a set right? one set will do both wheels?

Thanks

Correct. Front set = 4 pads (1 pair for the left and 1 pair for the right) Rear is the same.

[Chevere]

Correct. Front set = 4 pads (1 pair for the left and 1 pair for the right) Rear is the same.


got it!! thanks

[4havbimmer]

Does anyone have a suggestion regarding the brake dust for a 2000 740i

[Blue Bimmer]

How can I tell if the rotors really need to be replaced? Dealer said I should do it... but that's the dealer.

[drivinfaster]

there are specs for the minimum rotor thickness, maximum runout (trueness to the hub),
as well as the difference from side to side thickness on each of the faces on vented rotors. (solid type rotors do not have this, as they are, well, solid...)

most shops just measure the rotor thickness and compare to the machine to spec. (usually 0.020" above discard if no spec is given is what i remember using when no spec was available).

if rotors are recommended, then they would be below machine to specs, pitted, have hard spots, severly grooved, or way out of runout spec (warped beyond machining to fix a pulsation concern).

if rotors are suggested,, it could be because that while they may be above spec, they will be at or close to (even below) 'machine to' spec (less than 0.020" left before machine to spec is reached) or 1 rotor is already there, while the other one may "technically" be able to be machined. this will create a side to side difference with regards to heat, thermal dissipation, and in all likelyhood, creat a pulsation in the rotor that was machined instead of being replaced. this variance could be as much as 0.040" or so, sometimes more, sometimes less. rule of thumb, though, is if 1 rotor is beyond spec, and the other will be almost there, replace both. that, or the owner will have to pay for the rotor and the labor to install it if a pulsation occurs in the rotor that was not replaced.

regardless, if there are no specs on your rotor thickness, question the recommendation. in fact, just questioning what the spec is and where your rotors are should be enough to thwart an unscrupulous service advisor. they should be written on the repair order. i know techs will try to sell rotors to make the job go quicker, because i worked at a dealership with 13 other guys and i was the only one that had a micrometer. very few even knew how to read a micrometer.

if you do go aftermarket for rotors, i have used brembo, wagner, and raybestos (not the off line for these on bmw, but their premium line is good) on all makes and models. only if the vehicle is a clunker would i use the 'off brand' stuff from raybestos (they all make them, though, so don't be fooled...)

hope this helps.


df

[cjezzy05745Li]

i just changed my pads today. the job was pretty much similar to the domestic cars im used to. i went with semi mettalic in the rear and ceramic in the front. the rotors were in fairly good condition so i chose to keep them since im saving up for an entire brembro upgrade kit and the 21" 128's. im getting great stopping power and this is from a guy with a semi-lead foot ;) I LOVE THIS CAR!

[Mr.Quarter-to-8]

Hey can I change my oil my Self?

[slvr_bullet]

Thanks TXStYLE for sharing this. I installed the AKEBONO pads to the front of my 2004 745 LI 3weeks ago,
So far no dust...I cant wait to change out rear ones too..Performance a little spongy

but I got to compensate real quick, well worth it though.

[Big Chunk]

This is my first post and I was fortunate to find a topic thread that specifically addressed the issue of Brake Replacement. I will be replacing the brakes on my 2000 740iL and I wanted to thank you all for being informative. :thumbup:

I'm not sure if I can ride on the tail of this thread or start a new one, but I'll go ahead and ask if anyone has performed a brake installation on their own and whether there were any tricks or traps or special tools needed? I've replaced brakes before on American made cars I've owned but this is my first BMW and I want to get things right.

I apologize in advance if this is not the correct place to ask this, but also want to thank you in advance for any insights.

BC