DIYers - Thoughts on aftermarket brake pads

Yes or No?

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!
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. 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 )

I tried telling folks here about the very first and BEST mod i have performed on my 7, but no one seemed interested.
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/afterma...uro/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's "EURO" 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'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'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?"

Ok, so where do you buy them?

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

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

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

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.




(Yes, the x-drilled holes are facing the right way - according to Brembo's specs of these rotors.)

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

Originally Posted by tkasser

Ok, so where do you buy them?

+1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-E...mZ250192537079

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

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

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!

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.

Do these new pads mess with warranty?

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.

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

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

Okay.....I promise.

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.

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

Originally Posted by Lappy

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

www.rockauto.com has good pricing on these.

Originally Posted by blk45

www.rockauto.com has good pricing on these.

blk45,

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

Originally Posted by Johns_750Li

blk45,

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

Fronts EUR918 = $85.79
Rears EUR919 = $70.89

Originally Posted by blk45

Fronts EUR918 = $85.79
Rears EUR919 = $70.89

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

Thanks

Originally Posted by Johns_750Li

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.

Originally Posted by blk45

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

got it!! thanks

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