Brake Squeal

[JDB30]

Almost from day 1, my brakes have consistently squeaked. I took it into the BMW dealer and they said it was due to brake dust. The cleaned them but the problem returned almost instantly. I've noticed that it happens when I first hit the brakes when stopping. If I pump the brakes, it doesn't seem to squeak on the repeats---make sense?

Anyone else experience this? Is there a solution? It's really annoying, especially with the top down.

Thanks for your help.

[Jay60642]

This just started happening to me, after about 3000 miles. It only happens first thing in the morning and goes away after braking 3-4 times. I had to put up with a TT that squeaked EVERY time I braked when temps were below 40, so this doesn't seem so bad. I will mention to dealer though when I being car in to put on winter set.

[Chuck Tung]

They had a DIY session at today's BavAuto Show and Shine that included tips on how to fix brake squeal. Supposedly it is actually the back side of the brake pad rubbing against the caliper. What they recommend is coating the back side of the brake pad with anti-squeal compound, and allowing it to cure for at least a day. It turns into a rubbery texture, and prevents the metal-on-metal rubbing between the brake pad and caliper that causes the squeal.

Never done it myself, but that was the advice from the BavAuto folks.

Here's a thread on the topic:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19107

[timwhayden]

I have a Dec '10 build date 35is and there is little brake dust compared to previous bmw's I have seen. The prevailing thought is that somewhere along the way they changed compounds on the pads that produced much less dusting, perhaps with the '11 MY. I have 3000 mi and never one squeal. You could request them to change to the newer pad or get aftermarket pads like Akebono (fronts only so far) that produce much less dust.

[bmwmick]

Originally Posted by timwhayden

I have a Dec '10 build date 35is and there is little brake dust compared to previous bmw's I have seen. The prevailing thought is that somewhere along the way they changed compounds on the pads that produced much less dusting, perhaps with the '11 MY. I have 3000 mi and never one squeal.

Tim,
Ive noticed that too, almost no brake dust on our 2011.

[BlueZ4AZ]

I have a 2009 35i and never had any brake squeal and I always have brake dust. So the 2 don't necessarily go together. The brake squeal is not normal.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by bmwmick

Tim,
Ive noticed that too, almost no brake dust on our 2011.

On my former 2009 Z4 35i I also had a considerable amount of break dust, I don't find this problem now with my 2011 M3, mind you the Z4 was M-DCT and my M3 is MT so I do downshift a lot now. Dust is hardly noticeable on my wheels.

Must be as you said ... different compound from 2009 to 2011 one needs to make some inquiries I guess (I need to check with my learned SA about this).

I hope the OP can resolve his brake issue.

[al1]

I ve had the same problem for the past 2 months. First time I took it to the dealership, they cleaned the brake disks for any brake dust however the problem wasnt solved.

After couple weeks I took it one more time and they changed the rear pads but problem still exists.

So I am 100% sure that the problem is abt what chuck tung said. Some kind of anti-squeal compound should solve the problem. I ll give you guys the brand name as soon as I figure out

[JDB30]

Originally Posted by al1

I ve had the same problem for the past 2 months. First time I took it to the dealership, they cleaned the brake disks for any brake dust however the problem wasnt solved.

After couple weeks I took it one more time and they changed the rear pads but problem still exists.

So I am 100% sure that the problem is abt what chuck tung said. Some kind of anti-squeal compound should solve the problem. I ll give you guys the brand name as soon as I figure out

Thanks!

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter

On my former 2009 Z4 35i I also had a considerable amount of break dust, I don't find this problem now with my 2011 M3, mind you the Z4 was M-DCT and my M3 is MT so I do downshift a lot now. Dust is hardly noticeable on my wheels.

Yet someone would still have to pay me a very large sum of money to get me to give up the fun, sun and stunning looks of my 2009 35i with 23k miles on it, valued at $40something K, for a brand spanking new $65,000 2011 M3 with 3 miles on the ODO .

[bmwmick]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

Yet someone would still have to pay me a very large sum of money to get me to give up the fun and stunning looks of my 2009 35i with 23k miles on it, for a brand spanking new $65k 2011 M3 with 3 miles on the ODO .

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

Yet someone would still have to pay me a very large sum of money to get me to give up the fun, sun and stunning looks of my 2009 35i with 23k miles on it, valued at $40something K, for a brand spanking new $65,000 2011 M3 with 3 miles on the ODO .

And I don't blame you one bit my friend I got back into an M3 simply since I missed my old 2002 m3 e46 that I sold in 2010 after trading my e85 2008 Z4 30is for a sDrive Z4 35i ... wife complained about the traffic jam in my drive way ... fine I had some minor issues with the 35i, still the longing for the m3 was stronger so I gave up my Z4 ... besides a man should only have one toy like this unless ones name is Jay Leno

Happy trails to you always

[z4z4z4]

My 7/10 build 2011 35i has sooOooo much dust, but no squeal. Ironically, perhaps, I paid over $5k to enjoy the racing brake squeal from the Stop Techs on my '02 M3.