Brake pad sizes?

BimmerKat · 11-01-2009, 11:02 AM

I don't like BMW's brake pads. On my last Z4 I switched to Axxis Deluxe Advanced Ceramics and enjoyed the brake feel and they were much cleaner. BMW brake dust is nasty stuff.

Has anyone switched out their brake pads yet? None of the sites I go to have our cars listed so I don't know what size to order. Any help is appreciated.

rmorin49 · 10-16-2010, 09:38 AM

Brake dust is an issue with all late model BMWs and most European cars as they have stuck with soft semi-metallic pads. Yes, they do perform well in almost all driving condition except racing/rallying, but the brake dust is very irritating. Since my R32 does not include "free maintenance", I have decided to swap out the OEM pads, they are about half worn and install a set of Akebono ceramic pads. The reviews are very good, low dust, decent performance and low noise. I will report on them after I have run them for a couple thousand miles. I drive my R every day about 60 miles to and from work so it won't take long to rack up some miles. I continue to search for fitment for the Z4, and so far Akebono does have front pads but none for the rear. I suspect the "electric" parking brake is an issue. Hopefully it won't be long before rear pads will be available soon.

jannisa · 10-16-2010, 10:45 AM

Haven't replaced mine yet but have always been a fan of Mintex x-treme and EBC red stuff, when the time comes I will get them changed.

BimmerKat · 10-25-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmorin49

Brake dust is an issue with all late model BMWs and most European cars as they have stuck with soft semi-metallic pads. Yes, they do perform well in almost all driving condition except racing/rallying, but the brake dust is very irritating. Since my R32 does not include "free maintenance", I have decided to swap out the OEM pads, they are about half worn and install a set of Akebono ceramic pads. The reviews are very good, low dust, decent performance and low noise. I will report on them after I have run them for a couple thousand miles. I drive my R every day about 60 miles to and from work so it won't take long to rack up some miles. I continue to search for fitment for the Z4, and so far Akebono does have front pads but none for the rear. I suspect the "electric" parking brake is an issue. Hopefully it won't be long before rear pads will be available soon.

I checked with Zeckhausen today and they say rear pads are 4-6 months out on the brands they carry.

I don't care about "free maintenance." I want ceramics!

Silver-Bolt · 10-26-2010, 08:56 AM

EBC is currently only showing pads for the 3.0i nothing yet for the 3.5i.

rmorin49 · 10-26-2010, 07:14 PM

Just replaced the OEM pads on my R32 with Akebono Euro ceramics. What a Difference!! Drove the car for 2 weeks and almost 400 miles and the wheels were still clean. Wife even asked me if I bought new wheels, she said they were "so shiny". When Akebono offers both F&R pads for my Z4, I'll be swapping them out as well as I will never get free pads from BMW due to the low miles I put on the Z.

jannisa · 10-27-2010, 01:42 AM

I never liked the acebono. Installed once their "low dust" series but they lacked in feel and on hard braking they were rough, needed a lot of pedal pressure, made my front end vibrate (I was using drilled discs but never had that vibration with other pads). They were so hard that they ate my discs after 20.000km. Pads were almost intact. BTW I love my Saab 9-3 Viggen.

rmorin49 · 12-04-2010, 09:41 AM

I have about 1000 miles on the Akebono Euro ceramic pads that were installed on my VW R32. The black brake dust has been reduced by about 90%. I can drive the car for a full week on my 60 mile RT commute and the wheels still look clean at the end of the week. I checked the Akebono website and they are still only showing front pads for the E89 Z4. I have emailed them and asked when the might have the rears available. I am guessing it is the new parking brake that is delaying the rear pads. What other BMWs are using the type of parking brake that is in the Z? If anyone finds a source of low dust pads for both the front and rear please let me know. I am really tired of cleaning my wheels after every drive.

rmorin49 · 12-11-2010, 09:51 PM

Akebono is telling me they hope to have rear pads in the spring of 2011. Their pads are awesome on my R32. I plan to buy a set as soon as I can do both axles at the same time.

11-01-2009, 11:02 AM	#1
BimmerKat New Member 2 Rep 19 Posts Drives: Z4 sdrive3.5i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Brake pad sizes? I don't like BMW's brake pads. On my last Z4 I switched to Axxis Deluxe Advanced Ceramics and enjoyed the brake feel and they were much cleaner. BMW brake dust is nasty stuff. Has anyone switched out their brake pads yet? None of the sites I go to have our cars listed so I don't know what size to order. Any help is appreciated.
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10-16-2010, 09:38 AM	#2
rmorin49 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hagerstown, MD iTrader: (1)	Brake dust is an issue with all late model BMWs and most European cars as they have stuck with soft semi-metallic pads. Yes, they do perform well in almost all driving condition except racing/rallying, but the brake dust is very irritating. Since my R32 does not include "free maintenance", I have decided to swap out the OEM pads, they are about half worn and install a set of Akebono ceramic pads. The reviews are very good, low dust, decent performance and low noise. I will report on them after I have run them for a couple thousand miles. I drive my R every day about 60 miles to and from work so it won't take long to rack up some miles. I continue to search for fitment for the Z4, and so far Akebono does have front pads but none for the rear. I suspect the "electric" parking brake is an issue. Hopefully it won't be long before rear pads will be available soon. __________________ Colonel (Retired), US Army/Hagerstown, MD 2016 518ixdrive/MSport AW/Ivory White ED-01-10 2010 Z4s30i AW/Beige/Burl/ 6MT/SP/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB/CA (retired) 2011 335d BS/Oyster/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB(Daily Driver) 30+ mpg(retired)
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10-16-2010, 10:45 AM	#3
jannisa Lieutenant 54 Rep 546 Posts Drives: Z4 Sdrive35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Greece iTrader: (0)	Haven't replaced mine yet but have always been a fan of Mintex x-treme and EBC red stuff, when the time comes I will get them changed.
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10-26-2010, 08:56 AM	#5
Silver-Bolt Captain 26 Rep 805 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Melbourne Red Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 Z4 35is [9.00]	EBC is currently only showing pads for the 3.0i nothing yet for the 3.5i.
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10-26-2010, 07:14 PM	#6
rmorin49 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hagerstown, MD iTrader: (1)	Just replaced the OEM pads on my R32 with Akebono Euro ceramics. What a Difference!! Drove the car for 2 weeks and almost 400 miles and the wheels were still clean. Wife even asked me if I bought new wheels, she said they were "so shiny". When Akebono offers both F&R pads for my Z4, I'll be swapping them out as well as I will never get free pads from BMW due to the low miles I put on the Z. __________________ Colonel (Retired), US Army/Hagerstown, MD 2016 518ixdrive/MSport AW/Ivory White ED-01-10 2010 Z4s30i AW/Beige/Burl/ 6MT/SP/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB/CA (retired) 2011 335d BS/Oyster/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB(Daily Driver) 30+ mpg(retired) Last edited by rmorin49; 10-26-2010 at 08:08 PM..
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10-27-2010, 01:42 AM	#7
jannisa Lieutenant 54 Rep 546 Posts Drives: Z4 Sdrive35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Greece iTrader: (0)	I never liked the acebono. Installed once their "low dust" series but they lacked in feel and on hard braking they were rough, needed a lot of pedal pressure, made my front end vibrate (I was using drilled discs but never had that vibration with other pads). They were so hard that they ate my discs after 20.000km. Pads were almost intact. BTW I love my Saab 9-3 Viggen.
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12-04-2010, 09:41 AM	#8
rmorin49 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hagerstown, MD iTrader: (1)	I have about 1000 miles on the Akebono Euro ceramic pads that were installed on my VW R32. The black brake dust has been reduced by about 90%. I can drive the car for a full week on my 60 mile RT commute and the wheels still look clean at the end of the week. I checked the Akebono website and they are still only showing front pads for the E89 Z4. I have emailed them and asked when the might have the rears available. I am guessing it is the new parking brake that is delaying the rear pads. What other BMWs are using the type of parking brake that is in the Z? If anyone finds a source of low dust pads for both the front and rear please let me know. I am really tired of cleaning my wheels after every drive. __________________ Colonel (Retired), US Army/Hagerstown, MD 2016 518ixdrive/MSport AW/Ivory White ED-01-10 2010 Z4s30i AW/Beige/Burl/ 6MT/SP/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB/CA (retired) 2011 335d BS/Oyster/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB(Daily Driver) 30+ mpg(retired)
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12-11-2010, 09:51 PM	#9
rmorin49 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hagerstown, MD iTrader: (1)	Akebono is telling me they hope to have rear pads in the spring of 2011. Their pads are awesome on my R32. I plan to buy a set as soon as I can do both axles at the same time. __________________ Colonel (Retired), US Army/Hagerstown, MD 2016 518ixdrive/MSport AW/Ivory White ED-01-10 2010 Z4s30i AW/Beige/Burl/ 6MT/SP/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB/CA (retired) 2011 335d BS/Oyster/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB(Daily Driver) 30+ mpg(retired)
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