Brake pad recommendations

[jrsteeve]

Need to change the pads on my 2004 3.0 and want to try to save a few ££s if at all possible. Are there any brands you would or wouldn't recommend? I#ve seen GreenStuff, RedStuff and Mintex.

thanks for any help

[Laurence]

I've just fitted EBC 6000 Series SUV Heavy Duty Pads - more commonly known as Green Stuff.

No problems so far, very similar to the OEM pads but with much less dust.

[2002Silver4.6is]

Axxis Deluxe!!

Ceramic brake pads, virtually no dust!!

[jrsteeve]

ok cheers, are they all the same size for the X5? Seen a few on ebay but they stipulate certain years.

[JCL]

Best source for Axxis Deluxe is Zeckhausen, a board sponsor. They have a fitment chart on their site.

http://www.zeckhausen.com/

I wouldn't call the Axxis Deluxe pads ceramic, they have an organic compound. They may have added ceramics to their marketing effort, but these are not a true ceramic IMO. Still, I like them, and would buy them again.

Good luck.

[2002Silver4.6is]

You are 100% correct:

Axxis Deluxe Advanced street pads (formerly called Deluxe Plus) are ideal if you are looking for a low dust pad that is quiet and rotor friendly, yet has enough fade resistance for performance cars. These ceramic-enhanced organic pads work well up to 716 °F, similar to OEM pads. Stop washing brake dust off your wheels every few days! These are by far our most popular street pads.

[Tomaz]

Originally Posted by 2002Silver4.6is

Axxis Deluxe!!

Ceramic brake pads, virtually no dust!!

i Plus, if you really want to save some bucks, do them yourself. It's easy if you are mechanically competent and have the right tools. Good luck.

[jrsteeve]

I'd be willing to give it a go if it was something slightly less likely to kill me if i do it wrong! lol

btw what are the rotors and how much are they? I've read about them being needed too but don't know what they are.


Cheers for the help!

[jrsteeve]

oh and also whats the easiest way to check which pads need changing? I'm pretty sure they'll all need doing being 4x4 but if i can save some ££££s its worth knowing!

[X5 in AK]

pull a front wheel off and see how much pad material is left. If it is looking thin, time to change. And you always need to change both side of an axle at the same time. Cant just do, say, the left front, only, have to do both sides on the front and/or both sides on the rear. Don't necessarily have to change front and rear at the same time though, depends upon the wear.
On BMWs you generally always need to change the rotors at the same time you change the pad. And the brake pad wear sensors (one on front axle, left side, one on the rear axle, on the right side) at the same time as the pads. They are fairly cheap, about $6-$8 each (or three pence at current exchange rates )