Brake pads, which one to get

I think I need to change the front brake pads. When I brake I hear a grinding noise coming from front right. The warning light has not come on, is that normal ?

Have not taken a look but I will change the pads anyways. Car is not used on track, only street. OEM specs will do just fine. Only thing I'd like is less brake dust.
This brings me to the question of what pads to use ?
Might also have to change the rotors. Car has 60K on it.
Last change is unknown (bought it used).

Thanks.

If you're just looking for pads, I would suggest going with StopTech pads as they have great performance, lower dust than the OEM pads, and they're at an affordable price. Here, take a look:

Features

- Combines benefits of premium street pads with aggressive friction formulas suitable for track use
- Para-Aramid composites deliver optimum stopping performance
- 100% positive molded
- 100% shimmed to eliminate noise and vibrations
- 100% scorched for easy bed-in
- Great brake modulation


StopTech Street Performance Brake Pads BMW E46
http://www.modbargains.com/StopTech-...ds-BMW-E46.htm

If you want to go with a brand new package in total with rotors, brake lines, fluid and of course the pads, you should look at the packaged deal we have here:


ModBargains StopTech Stage 2 Brake Upgrade Kit (Blank Rotors/ST Performance Pads) E46 3XX/M3
http://www.modbargains.com/StopTech-...de-Kit-E46.htm

If you have any questions, please feel free to
contact me directly via PM, email or simply give me a call at:

714.582.3330 Extension 8002 - Jurrian
Jurrian@Modbargains.com

For street use, I recommend Axxis Deluxe, Axxist Deluxe Plus, or Mintex red box.

All perform quite well and are low dust. I buy from Dave Zeckhausen (Zeckhausen Racing).

For fluid, Castrol GT LMA for street use. Picks up mositure slower than other fluids.

And IIRC< the front sensor is on the left side. I would check for a sticking caliper if one side has more wear than the other.

I bought some hawk pads, according to the hawk website they should fit.
Well, they didn't .
The outer pad has 3 notches on them, while the original ones only have one center notch.
It doesn't fit
Even called hawk and they told me I have the right replacement pads.
I'm guessing the existing pads/brakes are non-stock. How do I identify this ?

Do you have the part numbers on the Hawks you picked up? I can compare it to the ones I offer (and know for a fact fit the E46 M3).

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

Do you have the part numbers on the Hawks you picked up? I can compare it to the ones I offer (and know for a fact fit the E46 M3).

The ones I ordered are HB464Z.764
There are 3 notches on the outside pad but there is only 1 on the pad that came out.

If you are talking about the notches in the pad material, the number of notches doesn't matter.

Hold the pads back to back to make sure the backing plates match.

Take pictures of old and new pads and post here.

They should look like the Hawk pads in the photo below. The part number is the correct one for the Hawk Front Ceramic Compound Performance Pad Set for the E46 M3.

Click HERE for more information

Originally Posted by Pinecone

If you are talking about the notches in the pad material, the number of notches doesn't matter.

Hold the pads back to back to make sure the backing plates match.

Take pictures of old and new pads and post here.

I actually meant the little pins sticking out on the back, the area that touches the caliper bracket and pushed the pad in.

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

They should look like the Hawk pads in the photo below. The part number is the correct one for the Hawk Front Ceramic Compound Performance Pad Set for the E46 M3.

Click HERE for more information

Yes, they look like that, but how does the back of it look like (outer pads)

Originally Posted by rruiter

Yes, they look like that, but how does the back of it look like (outer pads)

Currently I don't have photos of the other sides of those pads on the site.

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

Currently I don't have photos of the other sides of those pads on the site.

I will take some pictures when I have some time. Probably next week.