Brake Pad Recommendations?

[abcxyz]

I have a 98 328is, looks like I need some pads and rotors.

Does anyone have any recommendations or good quality pads that don't produce a lot of dust. And what rotors should I get.

I got Mintex pads before, they had significantly less dust than the OEM brand.

I have the fortunate 'luxury' to be only 1 mile from work, so i walk most days. Hence, I don't drive much, only 3-4k miles per year now, so i don't need top of the line stuff, but want something decent.

Thanks for any input.

[abcxyz]

I'm reading a lot of good things about Akebono, might go with those. Seems like there's different 'models' of them, so if anyone has any experience with them, please share.

Now trying to decide on rotors then. I'm seeing two or three main ones out there (besides the OEM) Zimmermann and Centric and Brembo. Any of them a good combination with the Akebono pads. Thanks.

[Yurick]

I've had good results with Akebono and Brembo.

[Manolito]

I also have heard nothing but positive about Akebono, but my favorite pads for daily driving are Axxis Delux Advanced. The box says "Ceramic Technology" whatever that means, but they look like conventional organic pads. They are quiet. Their dust does not stick to my BMW wheels, they work well wet or dry, hot or cold, and they seem to be holding up well. One of my cars is using PBR Delux Advanced which look and behave similar to the Axxis (same manuf.??)

There are some bad pads out there. I once bought some "dust free" pads for my Volvo wagon that faded terribly the first time they got used hard. Scared me to death. I wish I remembered the brand, but I took them off immediately and threw them away.

For rotors, I have bought a couple of sets of Mexican-Made Brembos. The price is right, but they rust like crazy when it rains or you wash the car, and my daughter told me the other day that one of hers on her '97 328 has warped. It ran for four years before it warped. That seems unusual. If it turns out to be the rear, I will suspect that she heated it up with the parking brake and then let it cool with the brake still on.

[abcxyz]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to go with Akebono pads, read a lot of great things about them.

Not sure about rotors yet. Do you guys know if the Zimmermann crossdrilled ones are very good? They look pretty good, but haven't seen too much info about them...

[Manolito]

Zimmerman makes good rotors. Probably some of the last rotors you can still get that are not made in China.

Crossdrilled rotors are prone to cracking. I'm sure that the expensive ones (Porsche and Ferrari factory rotors) are less prone to cracking than cheaper ones, but you can find lots of pictures of cracked drilled rotors on the web. Zimmerman chamfers the holes and heat treats the rotor after drilling, which should help avoid cracking. The only drilled rotors I have ever owned were on a BMW motorcycle. Those had no problems, but they never got hot. They made a buzzing sound when I used them.

Slotted rotors are better, and are suggested for a car that gets tracked. The ones on my car are a little noisy, but I don't notice the noise any more.

Plain rotors are generally thought to be best for a daily driver, but they don't look nearly as cool as slotted or drilled rotors.

My wife's 330 will be the next car that requires brakes, and I plan on going with Zimmerman plain rotors and Axxis MetalMaster pads (I learned today that Delux Plus are no longer available)

[mltibal]

I am currently using akebono and brembo combo. Very little brake dust
and braking is great.

[Jeron]

(Funny the rotors on my BMW bike make that buzzing noise too. I thought it was loose bobbins but after putting on a new set they still buzz.)

Any brake pad will be better than stock, Pagid or Jurid. I bought Oreilly Wagner lifetime pads and lifetime rotors and they are fine and I am a very aggressive with the brakes.

If you want specific recomendations then
Hawk HPS (sport/street) probably have a new name now
EBC Green
EBC Red
Wagner

[markdas]

Im not a big fan of EBC, they look colourful but are not that brilliant in harsh applications and the so called yellow stuff race pads are just too hard, take forever to bed in and heat up and then destroy the rotors!

Firstly, if you are daily driver and non track day driver, think about how severe your brake is really going to be. Even track days may not need anything too performance driven.

I would say check and double check the braking system to make sure its all in good shape, especially the flexi hoses, consider changing the 6 flexis to stainless braided for better resistance to swelling, check all calipers and seals adn ensure the pistons move freeling and the caliper slides evenly.

Renew your brake fluid with some good ATE type stuff, flush the old crap out too.

Check your brake pedal bushes too, these cars are getting old now adn thing wear out!

If you are looking for good fast track day and endurance recommendations Brembo slotted but not drilled discs and Perfomance Friction PF01 or PF06 pads. We can do a fast track 24 hour event (400-600 laps of 2.7 miles) on a set and still have brakes throughout and lots left over!

[Jeron]

All he is looking for is everyday brakes that have low dust.

I just noticed that drilled/slotted/grooved was brought up.
Only get plain blank rotors.

[markdas]

Sorry I didn't read the whole thread again

I dont like drilled unless they are stupidly expensive properly engineered versions and then I dont like the price!

Agree that plain rotors are good in everyday use too!

I still find EBC dust can stick to the rim unless you wash it all the time!

[wgarrjr]

I put Zimmermann "Coat Z" cross-drilled rotors front and rear on my '97 328iC (OK - it was a vanity move, I don't drive that "spirited"), and I like the way they look and perform. My indy BMW Tech had nothing but good things to say about Zimmermann and Textar. I put Textar Ceramic pads on the front, and Hawk PCS Ceramic on the rear since I changed the front and rear at different times, and I was curious about the difference. Both sets of pads work great - better than the Pagid Reds that were on there (but not yet worn enough to activate sensor). Of course the front pads get a lot more work, but the Textar do seem to make significantly more dust than do the Hawks. Nothing scientific - just my general observations. You basically get what you pay for, as usual! With the low mileage you drive, though, you can go plain everything without problems. Both brands of pads are very quiet, BTW.