Less Brake dust in 2011

Did BMW recently make a change to their brakes? Other than switching to P21s, my detail regime is exactly the same with my 2011 E92 vs my previous 2007 E92; however, I've noticed significantly less brake dust accumulation even after a couple weeks between washings.

I believe BMW did change the pad material. I've heard some complain about less initial bite with the newer pads, but far less dust. I guess there is always a trade off.

There are a few threads on this. I think they made the change for MY2010.

my MY 2010 ( December 2009 prod) has much less dust generation than my 2007/

new set of stock fronts produce way less dust - installed a year ago.

I've commented on this before that my 2011 335is gets very little brake dust, and then just usually trace amounts on the wheels and none sprayed over the rest of the car.

I asked two BMW parts departments about this, as I wanted to get the same composition of brake pads for my wife's '08 535xi which is terrible for brake dust. They had no idea, and none has gotten back to me after they were going to "check it out"!

I'm suspecting a move to a ceramic type pad forumula as one characteristic of ceramic type pads is low brake dust. Even semi-metallic type pads have come under attack by environmentalists due to copper content. If this is the case, I would think that there should be a stern warning in the owner's manual about what type of pad to use as replacement (with respect to the rotor compatibility).
While E.U. regulation ECE 90 establishes brake pad testing and certification, there is no such reg. for rotors (that I can find).

It's one of the things I love most about my car, the wheels stay clean for weeks, hardly any dust. I also use Armor All Wheel Protectant clear spray let it dry for a few hours and I swear there is almost no brake dust anymore.

THIS IS WHAT I CALL BMW "Joy"

Seriously I had an E46 before and was always cleaning my wheels, the money I spent on P21 was crazy, I could clean them and in 2 days they were filthy dirty.

No more for 2011.

Yep, new pad compound, same braking performance (or so close as to not matter--seriously) and damn near zero dust. What little there is, is light grey in color, barely visible on the wheels and has far lower adhesion than the old stuff. I have yet to bother buying wheel cleaner--they clean up perfectly with ordinary car shampoo and a (dedicated) sponge.

Originally Posted by Zeichen311

Yep, new pad compound, same braking performance (or so close as to not matter--seriously) and damn near zero dust. What little there is, is light grey in color, barely visible on the wheels and has far lower adhesion than the old stuff. I have yet to bother buying wheel cleaner--they clean up perfectly with ordinary car shampoo and a (dedicated) sponge.

So, my question is: are the '11 pads compatible with other MY 335i's...I've misplaced my owner's manual...what does the '11 owner's manual say about this, if anything? I do tend to think that the rotor would have to be compatible with the pad material. Generally speaking, I don't think the scope of the owner's manual extends to brake pad/rotor compatibility except for disclaimers such as "only use BMW approved replacement parts for your car."

I also think they made the change for the MY10 cars, as I have very, very little brake dust as well on my E93, and what little does accumulate comes off easily when washing. without needed to scrub it to death. I would think the MY10 or MY11 pads would fit on older models, as long as the other bits (calipers, etc.) are the same. I guess the easiest way to find out is to go the the parts department and ask for both and see if they are the same size.

As mentioned, the new pads began in MY 2010 (9/2009). And they will fit any model/year of E9X 335i. I have them on my 2007 E93. While overall braking performance would seem to be the same as the earlier pads, there is definitely less initial bite - similar characteristic as the aftermarket ones that promote "low dust" pads.

I'm still looking for the "perfect" pad for my driving situation.

I can also vouch for the less brake dust. I just traded in a 2005 X3 for a 2011 328xi.

Although my 328 is barely 3 weeks old, I can already tell there is much less brake dust compared to my old X3. With the X3, there was tons of dark black brake dust as soon as 3 days after the car/wheels were cleaned. Now, I barely see anything.

Originally Posted by Bimmer4life

...Seriously I had an E46 before and was always cleaning my wheels, the money I spent on P21 was crazy, I could clean them and in 2 days they were filthy dirty.

This was an unexpected treat on my new 2011 328i. Clean wheels!

Although I love my old E46, I have never owned any other car that generated so much brake dust. Even my E83 generates less dust than the E46.

Thank you for listening, BMW.

So I am not crazy. I just traded a 2010 535 for a 2012 e93 and the difference is amazing. Normal dust, just like my Lexus. Easily maintained. The e60 was horrible; I was constantly cleaning the wheels.

What you had in front was NOT ONLY dust from PADS. It is also metallic particles from the rotors. That's why they are yellowish and so hard to remove if you let it there for a while. It seems to be a different set-up in the rear.

If you see less dust in the front, it is because the front rotors are no more worn the way they used to be. I wouldn't be surprised that brakes performance is a bit less good.

It was obvious to me on the drive home from the dealer that the bite on the brakes was significantly reduced. I rarely drive over 6/10's, so it is a compromise that I can live with. I expect the emergency performance to be more than adequate.