Is it really true? do I have to replace the ....

[JCL]

The price of stock rotors is between you and your local dealer.

If a rotor runs true, is balanced, has a decent surface finish, and has some finish on the non-wear areas to combat surfact rust, that is about it. It isn't rocket science. You are interested in the Brembos, but let me ask - what was wrong with your stock rotors? Get a decent product, at a reasonable price. That is all there is to it. I have no idea what the quality is of the ebay deal (and I doubt that ebay does either), but the stock rotor is fine for quality, just ask your dealer the price. If you have a jobber you trust, see what they recommend (that is how I got the Raybestos VSM rotors). The Raybestos line is here: http://www.raybestos.com/usa/rotors.htm

If you don't have a favourite supplier, start with Zeckhausen.

Good luck.

Jeff

[X5Ghost]

Originally Posted by JCL

..., but let me ask - what was wrong with your stock rotors?

I hear ya JCL, I do not want to replace the stock rotor but everyone on the forum says you've got to on the X5's!! I started needing pads and here I am. I was trying to find a good set of rotors incase I need them. I didn't want to start this brake job and not have everything I need. Thanks for all the replies.

[JCL]

I think we are in raging agreement here....I agree you should buy rotors, but I was pointing out that you could get the OEM ones. They are good quality, the only (usual) issue is price. Check your dealer first, then you know what the target price to beat is. Lots of jobber rotors are available, Raybestos or other. Brembo is just a name, for the design of rotor you need. Fully floating Brembo rotors (as Sanguru noted) are a different item, but they don't fit your stock calipers.

Good luck with it.

[X5Ghost]

Yes we are : ) I'm going to call the $tealer tomorrow to get prices. Thx for your help and posts.

[asawadude]

I'm still a long ways away from doing my brakes, but when I do, I'm probably going to go with the Stoptech Stage 2 slotted or cross-drilled brake upgrade kit. They offer model specific kits for the entire X5 lineup.

http://www.stoptech.com/products/sta...upgrades.shtml

The kit includes:

• Front and rear Axxis Ultimate brake pads
• Front and rear StopTech stainless steel brake lines
• Three 500mL bottles of Motul RBF600 DOT 4 synthetic brake fluid
• Front and rear stock sized StopTech slotted or cross drilled brake rotors.
• FITS STOCK CALIPERS.

Price: $719.00

Everything you need in one nice tidy package. Now all we need to do is find a group buy from a Stoptech Dealer (like Zeckhausen).

[Ken_Toy]

Originally Posted by X5Ghost

I have 46K mi on the X Ken. I am not and will not machine rotors. I thought I'd have an advantage getting the package deal as in the ebaylink in my post and the rotors would be better than stock since they claim they are brembos, but not sure if these are real.

How much are the stock rotors anyway?

Like everyone said, the price of the rotor depends on the dealer. IMHO with 46K, have a professional to check your rotor. That should be free in a lot of places. I would just order the brake pads and be . Of couse, I not a tech nor I can be a judge on the stopping power you need. I am happy with my metal master compare to my OEM brake pads.

Please don't take this personally or argumentative. I was told from a service rep at a BMW dealer that OEM brake pads are made soft and that is the reason why it cause a lot of brake dust. Softer brake pads stop a heavy vehicle a lot faster than a harder brake pad. Ceramic brake pads is harder vs metal master, and metal master cost less too. The metal master stopping power is good enough for me, cuz I am only driving an SUV x5 not a 911.

If you decided on changing out your rotor and brake pads, then I would recommend going with Brembo http://www.zeckhausen.com/BMW/X5.htm. Remember, brembo is a larger size rotor and will need different size brake pads, and caliper to make a difference in your stopping power. Good luck!

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Ken_Toy

I was told from a service rep at a BMW dealer that OEM brake pads are made soft and that is the reason why it cause a lot of brake dust. Softer brake pads stop a heavy vehicle a lot faster than a harder brake pad. Ceramic brake pads is harder vs metal master, and metal master cost less too. The metal master stopping power is good enough for me, cuz I am only driving an SUV x5 not a 911.

If you decided on changing out your rotor and brake pads, then I would recommend going with Brembo http://www.zeckhausen.com/BMW/X5.htm. Remember, brembo is a larger size rotor and will need different size brake pads, and caliper to make a difference in your stopping power. Good luck!

Ken:

A couple of comments...

The OEM pads aren't soft. If they were, they wouldn't last the 25,000 miles that owners are typically getting out of them. The dust is because of the compound, not the hardness. The compound was selected by BMW to balance bite (performance) with longevity, and low noise characteristics. Brake noise costs a lot for manufacturers, in warranty claims and customer complaints. Dust wasn't one of the factors, unfortunately.

Softer pads don't stop a vehicle faster, that is a result of the clamping force of the caliper, the size of the rotor, and the friction of the pad. Pads can have a very strong initial bite, or not. That is what you feel right away. It can also depend a lot on temperature, ie a race pad has to get up to temperature to have reasonable stopping power. Those factors aren't related to the hardness or softness of the pad.

Brembo makes OEM-spec rotors, smooth or drilled/slotted, as well as their big-brake kits. With standard calipers the standard size Brembo rotor is the one under discussion.

I have used a lot of Metal-Master pads, usually on North American cars. They came from PBR/Repco, not Axxis, but they are the same pad. There is (or used to be) more meat on those rotors, and the Metal Master was a good balance of long life and low noise. My concern with the Metal Master on the BMW rotor is the rotor life, but it is likely no worse than the Ultimate pads.

Cheers

Jeff

[Ken_Toy]

I have used a lot of Metal-Master pads, usually on North American cars. They came from PBR/Repco, not Axxis, but they are the same pad. There is (or used to be) more meat on those rotors, and the Metal Master was a good balance of long life and low noise. My concern with the Metal Master on the BMW rotor is the rotor life, but it is likely no worse than the Ultimate pads.

Cheers

Jeff[/quote]

Interesting Jeff, I will look into that.

[X5Ghost]

I'm ordering my Axxis pads and centric rotors from Zeckhausen.com but I can't find the brake sensors on their website!! Anyone knows where to get them for the mentioned $15 ea? My dealer wants $55 for both!!
Thx

[hayaku]

www.bimmerworld.com has brake sensors... give them a call, clay is a great guy!