06 4.8is need all around brakes &rotors recommendations

[Motorsport1207]

Looking to replace all 4 rotors and brake pads. What have you guys used and how has it worked

Thanks Ted

[Ricky Bobby]

Get Centric Coated Rotors, I prefer solid, slots and cross drilled are meh. Brake pads are like detailing products, everyone has their favorite.

[Clockwork]

Motorsport, I JUST did a Centric rotor and Cool Carbon pads job on my 4.4i and I'd go back to factory in a HEARTBEAT if I could afford to.
Factory Pad and rotors may dust a bunch, but stop incredibly well and I have to say these cool carbons and centrics dust a LOT of dark brown as well.
Not sure why since everyone else says they dust a light color dust and not as much but my experience with these pads is horrible in cold climate.

[Motorsport1207]

I really need to get away from this black dust on my rims, that I have to clean weekly

[Motorsport1207]

Any thoughts on EBC brakes red stuff?
Centric posi quiet semi metallic ?
Power stop Z26 carbon fiber ceramic ?

[StephenVA]

Thoughts on 4.8is Brakes

Brake Rotors: CENTRIC 12534061 High Carbon Alloy REAR. More info link: More Information for CENTRIC 12534061
CENTRIC 12534060 High Carbon Alloy FRONTS
More info: More Information for CENTRIC 12534060

Note: Z16 and Z17 are the same pad with/o or with Hardware kits

Pads:
POWER STOP 16683 Z16 Evolution Ceramic Rear
POWER STOP 16920 Z16 Evolution; Ceramic Front
More info link: More Information for POWER STOP 16920

The real questions you need to ask yourself are: What do I want from a pad, What is my driving style, and How do I rank pad characteristics, and what is my life worth? These answers will provide a very short list of pad options.

If pricing is number one on your list....
Want cheap pads? Here you go: DASH 4 MD683 $8.11 Rear, DASH 4 MD681 Front $8.66
Cheap Rotors? QUALIS 45503 $16.34 Front

More info: RockAuto Parts Catalog

To learn more about Centric brakes visit their website:
WELCOME TO CENTRIC PARTS - Centric Parts

[StephenVA]

Forget about Cool Carbon pads as they are NOT available for the 4.6is/4.8is applications

[jfoj]

I run Power Stop systems on most of vehicles at the moment. GMC Yukon, Impala SS, VW Beetle, E46 and soon to be on my E70.

I have a complete system for my E70 that I have not installed yet.

Price vs performance, I have been very happy with these system. I have yet to have to replace any of these systems yet, so far so good.

Just be careful as I do not think the caliper bushings supplied for BMW kits are very close in quality and fit when compared to OE bushing kits from the dealer.

[Motorsport1207]

I have power stop on my e46 cross drilled rotors and ceramic pads. They work great, except my front rotor has peddle vibration, maybe I did not bed the fronts properly.

As what I am looking for. Low dust, same bite and stopping as the OEM pads, rotor life ( don't want peddle vibration). I occasionally tow with my X.

I was narrowing my search to the centric slotted directional rotors at $109 each for the fronts and rear at $60 each. With posi quiet semi metallic pads all around.


Lastly what are your thoughts on reusing rotors, my rotors are not warped and are thrown stuff and has a small lip and is well within the min thickness.

[StephenVA]

Thanks for the clarifications, something that is normally missing from other posters.

Thoughts: I would go with solid rotors as the vehicle will never notice the performance level increase when hot on a track, as 99% of your driving will be street with some limited towing (less than no towing). Reusing rotors is OK if you are replacing them and then later reusing them with new pads. I never trust Original/Previous Owners to do the right thing on brakes. Replacing them is cheap enough for every time replacements.

The Z16/17 pads will provide all you need unless your towing is through and into the Rockies. They will be low dust, warm up quickly (one slow stop is all they take to get up to operating temp. The dust is approx 5% of OE.

This is the set up I have on my X5 4.8is. Pardon the copper based anti seize on the center hub.
Image below