I have a buddy who works at a BMW dealer and can get parts and 10% over dealer cost, so I'm tempted to get brake pads from him. What pads would I get from a dealer, and are they decent?

If there is more than one kind available from the dealer, which should I get?

-Evan

This is the PN realoem gives for the front and rear, respectively - is this correct?

34116761280 (front)
34352229018 (front sensor)

34216761281 (rear)
34351163066 (rear sensor)

and I'm assuming those part numbers are both left and right side?

-Evan

I'll never buy OEM pads simply because of the amount of brake dust.

Stock = Dust
Great feel and power on the street, though.

I just put PBR/Axxis Deluxe Advanced/Plus/Ceramic on my car.

ZERO dust. But just "OK" feel/power.

How are Akebono Euro compared to stock? (braking wise not dust - this I know). Found them here (http://www.placeforbrakes.com/product.php?pk=1682&cmk=30027&car_year=2003&avail=1) for 88 bux shipping included.

How are Akebono Euro compared to stock? (braking wise not dust - this I know). Found them here (http://www.placeforbrakes.com/product.php?pk=1682&cmk=30027&car_year=2003&avail=1) for 88 bux shipping included.

Are they dustless?

Are they dustless?

That's what they claim. And there are quite a few people on the forum(s) that are happy with those (dustwise). Dunno how performant they are compared to stocks. Tirerack has them too and are rated 3 stars out 5 for performance. What does that mean? 5 starts = stops in 50ft from 100mi/hr? or in 100ft? etc. Here is the link from Tirerack (http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/results.jsp?autoMake=BMW&autoModel=530i+Sedan&autoYear=2003&autoModClar=) . price is 85 bux not shipped.
Reviews are mixed for performance mainly they vary by car model / owner.
Has anyone have them installed on e39? How do they compare to OEM for braking power?

I am having the Euro Ceramic pads installed today on my 528i for the front brakes. I have them installed on the back brakes and could not be happier. They are virtually no dust and I have not comprimised stopping power.

And as far as OEM the ones on my car are Jurid. They are good but I dont want to have to clean my rims every other day.

I had the akebono ceramic on my volvo and love them. They do produce a tiny amount of dust, but it can't really be seen. I plan on putting them in the 525 here pretty soon.

How are Akebono Euro compared to stock? (braking wise not dust - this I know). Found them here (http://www.placeforbrakes.com/product.php?pk=1682&cmk=30027&car_year=2003&avail=1) for 88 bux shipping included.

They actually work QUITE well and also have almost zero dust. This is on a 330i ZHP so I don't know about the 5 series but should be similar.

Keep in mind the OEM pad is designed for a VERY specific market. The person buying a BMW wants them to be DEAD quiet and stop effectively. That is what matters to 98% of BMW owners. So this is what the OEM pad does. It is quiet and stops. It means you have to clean your wheels a bit more often but atleast you get quiet and stopping power and decent life out of them.

I had the akebono ceramic on my volvo and love them. They do produce a tiny amount of dust, but it can't really be seen. I plan on putting them in the 525 here pretty soon.

Yes. This is exactly it. They do "dust" but it seems to be "silver". So with stock wheels you never notice it. I bet with all black wheels it would be a lot worse.

oe jurid or textar pads are really pretty good, but do make a lot of dust. If you don't mind cleaning your wheels, cost +10 is good, probably better than much of the equivilent aftermarket pads from a cost/quality standpoint.

I am having the Euro Ceramic pads installed today on my 528i for the front brakes. I have them installed on the back brakes and could not be happier. They are virtually no dust and I have not comprimised stopping power.

And as far as OEM the ones on my car are Jurid. They are good but I dont want to have to clean my rims every other day.
OEM's work very well. As stated, silent and great stopping power. The big downside is the dust. I have to clean my rims EVERY time I go out so every other day ain't too bad IMO! :lol

I stick ONLY with BMW simply because...it's BMfreakinW. It's the best :thumbup



If you're friend works at BMW then have him give you the non-public price. As if a mechanic shop were to buy them, like me :p

I stick ONLY with BMW simply because...it's BMfreakinW. It's the best :thumb:



If you're friend works at BMW then have him give you the non-public price. As if a mechanic shop were to buy them, like me :p

That would negate about 99% of all the mods in this forum...

Hahahaha I know but as for brakes...BMW for me.

If dust is your main concern, I've had good experience with Rotex Gold pads. Practicaly zero dust. Much better dust wise than stock. They also offer ceramic formula as well but I haven't had any experience with the ceramics. These are good for regular street use but for auto-xing have some fade. Also, if you have zimmerman rotors, they tend to squeal for some reason. Perhaps the metallic mix promotes squealing?

Zeckhausen.com carries some different pads. They also have a comparison chart for the Axxis pads:
http://www.zeckhausen.com/axxis_pads.htm#Compare

Most of the reviews I've seen for both Axxis pads have been positive. I guess it depends on your needs as well.

Squeeking is normaly when the rotor's to thin and heat up and if you use ceramic I could see them being hotter then graphite, true?

Brake pad ratings are VERY subjective. Varies heavily with one's driving style, expectations, perceptions, etc.

I tried Rotex Gold on my M3 maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Thought they sucked in the power/feel dept with scarey "pedal to the floor" fade during hard stops from high speeds. They also glazed my rotors. Inadequate for a heavy performance car. Took them off and tossed'em. Low dust, though.

I just put on CoolCarbon pads from BavAuto and they are great. Little dust, no sound (at all), great grip and excellent (linear) feel. I don't know about fade... my 4000 pound car isn't going to the autocross lot.

Brake pad ratings are VERY subjective. Varies heavily with one's driving style, expectations, perceptions, etc.

I tried Rotex Gold on my M3 maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Thought they sucked in the power/feel dept with scarey "pedal to the floor" fade during hard stops from high speeds. They also glazed my rotors. Inadequate for a heavy performance car. Took them off and tossed'em. Low dust, though.

Sometimes the "pedal to the floor" feel could be due to the age of the brake fluid. If the fluid is more than two years old, this could also cause the mushy feeling as well.

Sometimes the "pedal to the floor" feel could be due to the age of the brake fluid. If the fluid is more than two years old, this could also cause the mushy feeling as well.

Yeah, there are a lot of potential variables that could have been at play, theoretically. However, they were all controlled in this particular instance. Fresh fluid, fresh rotors, proper install, etc. Never had any issues immediately prior to installing or immediately subsequent to removing the rotex gold pads.

Yeah, there are a lot of potential variables that could have been at play, theoretically. However, they were all controlled in this particular instance. Fresh fluid, fresh rotors, proper install, etc. Never had any issues immediately prior to installing or immediately subsequent to removing the rotex gold pads.

I guess to each their own. I've got close to 20K miles on the front Rotex pads and happy with them. No autocrossing and no high speed braking. Just routine NY driving. But at least we both agree: LOW DUSTING PADS.:) Which was my original post: If dust is your main concern.....

I think most any pad will do "OK" in "normal" street driving. I'm sure the Rotex likely do this. The PBR Deluxe do this, as well. And IT IS nice not having to clean the wheels every 3 days.

My thing is that "good brakes" should be able to perform well and inspire confidence in extreme or emergency street circumstances (like a high speed panic decel or playing around on a back road). They also need to have a certain "feel/bite" that allows for easy predictable modulation stop after stop. The one's I have personally experienced are:
Porterfield R4-S
Axxis Ultimate
OE

All are excellent street pads - but they do dust (to varying degrees, with OE being THE worst)

How are Akebono Euro compared to stock? (braking wise not dust - this I know). Found them here (http://www.placeforbrakes.com/product.php?pk=1682&cmk=30027&car_year=2003&avail=1) for 88 bux shipping included.


akebono = best brake pads ive ever used on any of my cars!