Uncle!!! Need good frnt brake pad/disk combo. Been reading for hours. Too many links.

Need to replace front brakes on my 530i with Sport Package. Sensor has not tripped yet but may soon (had pads checked at two separate places with same conclusion). Also beginning to feel just a hair mushy (brake fluid may have moisture in it).

Just when I thought I narrowed things down I find a gazillion part numbers for the same brand brake pads. . Was looking at Akebono EURO. Now leaning toward the Hawk HPS (but not sure about dust with these).

I like the Hawk HPS but even they have five or so part numbers that fit my vehicle. I've searched this forum, Google, and so forth. I read through the "Best Links". I surrender!!! I give!!! Uncle!!!

Priorities/best place to purchase:

Pad - stopping (bite), dust reduction, cost.

Rotor - anti-corrosion coated, cost, wear. Think plain face rotor will due. Thinking Balo, Brembo, or Zimmerman.

BTW The steep hills in Seattle require a lot of breaking where I live on my way to work. I am a "Highlander" .

So please do not say "Do a search". I am all searched out.

Would be nice to have a ONE POST thread with pads and rotors rated as well as best place(s) to buy. Current threads have numerous posts with links-a-million.

Would be great to consolidate those into a "Top 3 (or 5) recommended pads (with part number) followed by "Top 3 (or 5) recommended rotors (with part number)" and "Top 3 (or 5) places to buy pads" followed by "Top 3 (or 5) recommended places to buy rotors".

Just a wish. Not a requirement. .

Thank you for your recommendations .

Originally Posted by seemyad

Would be nice to have a ONE POST thread with pads and rotors rated as well as best place(s) to buy. Current threads have numerous posts with links-a-million.

Would be great to consolidate those into a "Top 3 (or 5) recommended pads (with part number) followed by "Top 3 (or 5) recommended rotors (with part number)" and "Top 3 (or 5) places to buy pads" followed by "Top 3 (or 5) recommended places to buy rotors".

We'll let you be the author of such thread once you've bought yours.

One.two.three...here comes the Akebono crowd.....

Originally Posted by seemyad

Would be nice to have a ONE POST thread with pads and rotors rated as well as best place(s) to buy. Current threads have numerous posts with links-a-million.

Would be great to consolidate those into a "Top 3 (or 5) recommended pads (with part number) followed by "Top 3 (or 5) recommended rotors (with part number)" and "Top 3 (or 5) places to buy pads" followed by "Top 3 (or 5) recommended places to buy rotors".

I feel like this needs to be done with everything on bimmerfest...
It's especially discouraging wading through half-done threads.
Someone asks a question, and then you get to look through 5 pages of opinionated responses with no conclusion..
I wish you the best of luck

Originally Posted by the540wgn

I feel like this needs to be done with everything on bimmerfest...
It's especially discouraging wading through half-done threads.
Someone asks a question, and then you get to look through 5 pages of opinionated responses with no conclusion..

And you will never get that because everyone drives under different conditions and have difference preferences or opinions.

Not to mention, many are just interested in getting their answer and nothing more.

If you're confused, go to the dealer and buy OEM. Despite the dust, it's a solid choice.

For me, Balo rotors and Axxis Deluxe pads have served me well over the years, on two different BMWs and a Benzo. IMHO, there's a LOT of marketing hype floating around concerning brakes.

Where did you pick up this "bite" thing? Don't you want the brake operation to be linear?

i just put Bosch pads w/pre-installed sensor and Meyle rotors and so far they look and work great - REALLY CHEAP also! Bought them at bmaautoparts.com

BLUF, there is no perfect solution to e39 front brake pads. I've had the OEM (Jurids), Axxis Deluxe & the Akebono Euro. All have positive traits and drawbacks.

Jurids - Hands down, the best braking performance, feedback and linear feel of all pads. Quiet too. But dustier than a coal mine and nearly impossible to clean off a Style 42.

Axxis Deluxe - A good compromise between decent feedback and linear feel with relatively low- (but not no-) dust. But they tend to squeak, requiring periodic rebedding.

Akebonon Euro - Virtually dust free and super quiet. However, the feel and feedback is lacking. No initial bite, requiring nonlinear braking pressure. You adjust and get used to it after time.

Post back if you get the Hawks. After the Euros, I may go back to the Axxis (now PBR).

I have Akebono ceramic pads all around on my 02 540i. No dust at all. I believe the rotors are Brembo. I am pleased with everything.

www.zeckhausen.com

Go to his site, Stoptech makes great rotors and you have your selection of pads with descriptions. If you are still in doubt, give them a call, brakes is what they do.

I have ake's and zim's .Im happy No dust and you adjust to them in no time.

Originally Posted by mio_e46

i just put Bosch pads w/pre-installed sensor and Meyle rotors and so far they look and work great - REALLY CHEAP also! Bought them at bmaautoparts.com

Just to clarify, did you put the Bosch Quietcast pads on the front? If so, how's the dust?

Originally Posted by z_driver

Just to clarify, did you put the Bosch Quietcast pads on the front? If so, how's the dust?

Yes sir, dust so far is low - will know more in a week or so I just installed them over the weekend

Akebono euros--meyle geomet rotors--thank me later

Sent from my SGH-T959 using Bimmer App

A good performance hawk pad will work and you don't have to go to a full ceramic to keep the dust down . Check out our site for prices as we have just about any brand and if you need assistence you can call our tech line and we will help you find what you need. We sell ,install and use HAWK pads .

What about this kit on eBay? Says its Brembo rotors and Akebono pads. Think it's a good buy?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E39-Brak...cd21bb&vxp=mtr

I've had great results with Zimmerman Z-Coat rotors with Hawk HPS pads. Never used Aching boners.

Ate premium one and akebono euro. All purchased from amazon.

Dust is low, stopping is excellent. The key to drive down hill is to use the proper gear to slow your car, not ride on the brake constantly.

I went through the same frustration a couple of months ago. Having read everything I could and coming to the conclusion that everyone makes, "the best" pads and rotors. I went to the NAPA store and bought NAPA Ultra Premium rotors and ceramic pads. They are great. I have no complaints about them so far and as far as dust goes, not bad at all.

Pulled the trigger on:

Hawk Performance HB227Z.630 Performance Ceramic Brake Pad.
$74.81 (free shipping)

Tried calling sponsors but closed due to EST while Im in Seattle. Too many meetings in the morning to call earlier.

Have not pulled trigger on rotors yet. Saw one complaint on Zimmerman Z Coat which is what I am leaning toward. The complaint was the coating was an "ugly grayish" vs the shiny metal look. This was posted by some one in the BMW Touring (wagon).

Brembos I saw were two prices, $68 and $112 with no description. I assume the $112 were the Fronts.

BREMBO W01331597057BRE Disc Brake Rotor
http://www.amazon.com/gp/part-finder...sNode=46244011

Willing to buy rotors (not sure which brand yet) from Bimmerfest Site Sponsor. Will try to call Friday morning.

Just pulled the trigger on Centric High Carbon Plain 120 Series Rotor. $72.50 each with free 2 day shipping (Prime customers).

http://www.amazon.com/Centric-Parts-...tric+120.34055

I almost went with the pricier 125 series rotor but I don't think I drive hard enough to warrant the additonal $20 each cost.

125 Series (Tirerack)
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...2&autoModClar=

120 Series (Tirerack)
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...2&autoModClar=

I'm going to pair these rotors with the Hawks Performance Ceramic pads I ordered (received them last week) and hope for a quiet, dust free, linear stop with similar back pressure to OEM.

Will update this post pre and post break-in.

Thank you all for your input. If you have any thoughts about Centric Rotors feel free to let me know. Never too late to exchange them before installing them.

Just pulled trigger on:

Bavarian Autosport Brake Bleeder Kit with Catch Bottle
http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?part=PB03K

Agonized over this vs the Motive but as always made a decision and took action. Hope I don't live to regret this purchase over the Motive.

Originally Posted by seemyad

Just pulled trigger on:

Bavarian Autosport Brake Bleeder Kit with Catch Bottle
http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?part=PB03K

Agonized over this vs the Motive but as always made a decision and took action. Hope I don't live to regret this purchase over the Motive.

Personally I think it is a waste of money. Spend that money on an air compressor!

I spend $5 on the ATE cap, use the air compressor:

DIY: 1-man Hydraulic Bleeding Kit for those with Air Compressor!
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=392957

Originally Posted by cn90

Personally I think it is a waste of money. Spend that money on an air compressor!

I spend $5 on the ATE cap, use the air compressor:

DIY: 1-man Hydraulic Bleeding Kit for those with Air Compressor!
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=392957

Darn it C90!!! Why are you guys so freakin smart? That is simple genius

Love it. Also the compressor serves multiple functions.

Dude THANK YOU AS ALWAYS. You Fudman, Duru, Blubee and a host of others are what a BMW owner needs.

I'm going to run with this little guy because its low cost yet is getting crazy reviews:

Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor
http://www.amazon.com/Viair-00073-He...d_sim_sbs_hi_8

Roadpro 12V Battery Clip-On and Cigarette Lighter Adapter
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...cm_cd_asin_lnk

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