Brake Pad Replacement?

rmorin49 · 09-05-2011, 09:38 AM

I have found aftermarket front pads for the Z4 but nothing yet for the rear. The amount of brake pad dust created is terrible, much more than the pads on my '11 335d so obviously BMW changed the formulation between the 2010 and 2011 models unless the pad composition on the Z4 is much different than the 335d. Has anyone had their pads replaced by the dealer and if so have you noticed that the amount of brake dust has been reduced? I've also read that the rear pads are very difficult to replace and it is strictly a "dealer job". Is this true? Thanks.

ChuckB · 09-05-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmorin49

I have found aftermarket front pads for the Z4 but nothing yet for the rear. The amount of brake pad dust created is terrible, much more than the pads on my '11 335d so obviously BMW changed the formulation between the 2010 and 2011 models unless the pad composition on the Z4 is much different than the 335d. Has anyone had their pads replaced by the dealer and if so have you noticed that the amount of brake dust has been reduced? I've also read that the rear pads are very difficult to replace and it is strictly a "dealer job". Is this true? Thanks.

COL, From everything I have read and heard, BMW must use the computer to retract the parking brakes on the rear, otherwise after a few minutes the parking brakes "set" with enough force to sever a finger. Still trying to find a reliable source of info, but had planned on stopping by BMW this week to talk to a mechanic and see what the deal is...

It doesn't appear the fronts have the same problem, except they throw off enough dust to add noticeably to atmospheric haze.

jpd · 09-05-2011, 04:29 PM

BMW and MINI both have pads that generate a lot of dust. This has been a complaint from drivers for years.

jparnes1 · 09-05-2011, 05:02 PM

My understanding is that you can get low dust pads (ceramic or example) but they just don't have the "bite" that OEM pads have. I guess it depends on what you want out of your brakes.

rmorin49 · 09-05-2011, 05:54 PM

The OEM pads on my '11 335d produce only about 10% of the dust that the Z4 pads produce so clearly BMW changed the pad formulation. I am hoping that new OEM pads will also produce less dust.

persian54 · 09-05-2011, 08:58 PM

lol you should see my M3 wheels in regards to brake dust...

jparnes1 · 09-05-2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmorin49

The OEM pads on my '11 335d produce only about 10% of the dust that the Z4 pads produce so clearly BMW changed the pad formulation. I am hoping that new OEM pads will also produce less dust.

Interesting...I have a 2006 525 and a 2011 Z4. I think they produce about the same amount of dust. My Z4 however was made in April 2010. I wonder if that makes a difference. Was your 2011 3 made later?

skier219 · 09-06-2011, 07:59 PM

My 2011 Z4 spits out hardly any brake dust. Way less than my previous S200 in fact.

timwhayden · 09-06-2011, 10:20 PM

My '11 Z4 was made in Dec'10 and I have been pleasantly surprised by the lack of brake dust it produces. I have replaced OEM pads on my last 4 non BMW cars (Jag,Audi,Lotus,Lambo) and was prepared to do so when I bought the Z4 a month ago but I am having second thoughts. It does dust some, but nothing like the above 4 cars did. And I have seen an endless parade of Beemers with black wheels in the past so they must have changed compounds recently. I can highly recommend the Akebono Euro Ultra I have used when available as there is NO dust from them. Available I believe for the front but not back on the Z4. Anyone know if the rear Z4 brakes are shared with another other car?

SANguru · 09-06-2011, 10:31 PM

my F10 550i has very little dust. The Z4 after 950+ miles in europe wasn't too bad. Obviously neither of those are as good from a brake dust perspective as compared to the carbon ceramic brakes on my F430 and my old Challenge Stradale.

rmorin49 · 09-07-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Interesting...I have a 2006 525 and a 2011 Z4. I think they produce about the same amount of dust. My Z4 however was made in April 2010. I wonder if that makes a difference. Was your 2011 3 made later?

My '11 335d was manufactured in Dec 2010. Very little dust compared to my '10 Z4 that was manufactured in Jan 2010.

GunSpeed · 09-08-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckB

BMW must use the computer to retract the parking brakes on the rear

I had the rears done at the dealer because they have to use the computer to set the handbrake to a sort of "mounting status" in order to replace the brakepads. Don't try to do it yourself... However replacing the pads on the frontbrakes was no problem at all and I managed to change them myself.

Grtz

jpd · 09-08-2011, 09:04 PM

Excellent advice.

tranquility · 08-31-2012, 07:19 PM

My brakes are starting to squeal, no idea if it's probably due to worn brake pads or something else. Would you guys go to the dealership to get done or another brake centre (less expensive, same service?)? The dealership recommends changing BOTH the brakes (I guess this means the disc+calipers) in addition to the pads...is this the right way to go?

jparnes1 · 08-31-2012, 09:00 PM

Replaced my 2011 Z4 with a 2012 and the brake dust is like night and day. The 2012 throws off hardly any. Must have changed the pad composition. I'm looking forward to changing the pass on my 5'er.

raven333 · 09-01-2012, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

My brakes are starting to squeal, no idea if it's probably due to worn brake pads or something else. Would you guys go to the dealership to get done or another brake centre (less expensive, same service?)? The dealership recommends changing BOTH the brakes (I guess this means the disc+calipers) in addition to the pads...is this the right way to go?

Unless you have a lot of miles on your car and have replaced the pads a few times then the discs will be fine so just the pads! he may mean front and rear pads. As mentioned the dealers now have a monopoly market in replacing the rear pads due to the coding issue! no more DIY on the rear unless you buy a coding device £99. just to do the rear brakes

riccis · 09-02-2012, 06:15 PM

Fed

Quote:

Originally Posted by raven333

Unless you have a lot of miles on your car and have replaced the pads a few times then the discs will be fine so just the pads! he may mean front and rear pads. As mentioned the dealers now have a monopoly market in replacing the rear pads due to the coding issue! no more DIY on the rear unless you buy a coding device £99. just to do the rear brakes

At about £300 to have the rear pads changed, the £99 coding device is starting to look like a bargain!

Had mine changed a week ago and computer is already telling me they need replacing in 9000 miles!!! Think there's something wrong somewhere with mine.

09-05-2011, 09:38 AM	#1
rmorin49 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hagerstown, MD iTrader: (1)	Brake Pad Replacement? I have found aftermarket front pads for the Z4 but nothing yet for the rear. The amount of brake pad dust created is terrible, much more than the pads on my '11 335d so obviously BMW changed the formulation between the 2010 and 2011 models unless the pad composition on the Z4 is much different than the 335d. Has anyone had their pads replaced by the dealer and if so have you noticed that the amount of brake dust has been reduced? I've also read that the rear pads are very difficult to replace and it is strictly a "dealer job". Is this true? Thanks. __________________ 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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09-05-2011, 04:29 PM	#3
jpd Lieutenant 5 Rep 572 Posts Drives: Alpine White 135 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	BMW and MINI both have pads that generate a lot of dust. This has been a complaint from drivers for years.
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09-05-2011, 05:02 PM	#4
jparnes1 Colonel 241 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	My understanding is that you can get low dust pads (ceramic or example) but they just don't have the "bite" that OEM pads have. I guess it depends on what you want out of your brakes. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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09-05-2011, 05:54 PM	#5
rmorin49 Major 53 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hagerstown, MD iTrader: (1)	The OEM pads on my '11 335d produce only about 10% of the dust that the Z4 pads produce so clearly BMW changed the pad formulation. I am hoping that new OEM pads will also produce less dust. __________________ 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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09-05-2011, 08:58 PM	#6
persian54 Lieutenant General 922 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	lol you should see my M3 wheels in regards to brake dust... __________________ From E93 335i to E89 Z4 to E93 M3/E89 Z4 to E350/SL550
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09-06-2011, 07:59 PM	#8
skier219 Captain 607 Rep 969 Posts Drives: X3 M40i, M2C, Ferrari 328 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	My 2011 Z4 spits out hardly any brake dust. Way less than my previous S200 in fact.
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09-06-2011, 10:20 PM	#9
timwhayden Private 10 Rep 64 Posts Drives: '11 Z4is AW/Walnut Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Jackson,TN iTrader: (0) Garage List '07 Lamborghini Gal ... [0.00] '09 Audi Q5 [0.00] '11 BMW Z4is [0.00]	My '11 Z4 was made in Dec'10 and I have been pleasantly surprised by the lack of brake dust it produces. I have replaced OEM pads on my last 4 non BMW cars (Jag,Audi,Lotus,Lambo) and was prepared to do so when I bought the Z4 a month ago but I am having second thoughts. It does dust some, but nothing like the above 4 cars did. And I have seen an endless parade of Beemers with black wheels in the past so they must have changed compounds recently. I can highly recommend the Akebono Euro Ultra I have used when available as there is NO dust from them. Available I believe for the front but not back on the Z4. Anyone know if the rear Z4 brakes are shared with another other car? __________________ Garage: '11 Z4is '09 Audi Q5 '07 Lamborghini Gallardo
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09-06-2011, 10:31 PM	#10
SANguru Lieutenant 57 Rep 426 Posts Drives: i8, X5 50,M550i,Tesla, MP4-12c Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	my F10 550i has very little dust. The Z4 after 950+ miles in europe wasn't too bad. Obviously neither of those are as good from a brake dust perspective as compared to the carbon ceramic brakes on my F430 and my old Challenge Stradale.
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09-08-2011, 09:04 PM	#13
jpd Lieutenant 5 Rep 572 Posts Drives: Alpine White 135 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Excellent advice.
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08-31-2012, 07:19 PM	#14
tranquility sportscars only 3236 Rep 3,193 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	My brakes are starting to squeal, no idea if it's probably due to worn brake pads or something else. Would you guys go to the dealership to get done or another brake centre (less expensive, same service?)? The dealership recommends changing BOTH the brakes (I guess this means the disc+calipers) in addition to the pads...is this the right way to go?
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08-31-2012, 09:00 PM	#15
jparnes1 Colonel 241 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: 2016 340i, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	Replaced my 2011 Z4 with a 2012 and the brake dust is like night and day. The 2012 throws off hardly any. Must have changed the pad composition. I'm looking forward to changing the pass on my 5'er. __________________ 2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus. 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA.
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