JCL, why did you say not to get slotted? I'm about to buy rotors from Dave Zeck and I cannot decide between Centric plain or StopTech slotted (Centric owns StopTech, so these are really Centric slotted).

The Axxis Deluxe pads are not like OEM. OEM are either Jurid or Pagid pads. These are high metalic pads that dust like crazy. Harder on rotors (but who cares, rotors aren't that expensive), but totally quiet because the pads are wearing so fast. No special care is needed for install to kill noise because... they wear so fast.

I have Axxis Deluxe pads on all three of my BMWs. I'm about to switch to Centric Posi-Quiet Ceramic pads on Dave's recommendation. The Axxis pads have been outstanding, except that they tend to "grunt" and "chudder" at very low speeds coming to a stop. Bedding the pads kills this for up to a year.

But the last set of brand new Axxis pads on the X have been a nightmare. Squealing like crazy. I went with what are supposedly Brembo plain rotors, but I think I was sold a crock. I'm replacing them again, not two months later. But the main problem is that I became lazy and paid a mechanic to install my pads. They used a normal to minimal amount of grease behind the pads. Axxis pads have no backing plate (backing plates are used by many companies to kill squeal). The lack of "extra" grease behind the pads has left them in a condition where they squeal and howell all the time. Dave has talked me into the Centric Posi-Quiet Ceramic pads. Dust just as little as the Axxis, but they use a ceramic composite backing plate that is not supposed to even require grease at all. Supposedly dead quiet.

I could never go back to a dusty pad. But I cannot take the 1987 rusty Ford pickup brake squeal on my BMW either.

I'm actually considering the slotted rotors because I think they might keep the pads fresher. Dustless pads are bad for themselves. They simply do not wear out.. which leads to the grunting, squealing, chuddering, etc..

However, I'm wondering if slotted rotors make their own kind of sound when braking lightly to moderately in town. That would bite as well.

This is a good discussion...

- TA