Brake pads of choice? Anyone?

[NY98M3]

Originally Posted by JCL

+1 on the Axxis Deluxe, or whatever they are called now (they changed the name slightly). Had them on several vehicles, including the X5, and will use them again.

Same here! The only thing Im not happy about is when the truck is cold, the brakes sqeek in reverse.

[FSETH]

My Axxis XBG's have been completely silent.

[JCL]

Never had any squealing on mine. On the X5, I did occasionally have a slight noise on first application after the vehicle was parked for awhile. It always went away after one stop. No such noise on the 535. I think it was the rotors on the X5 contributing to it. Pedal feel and initial bite matched the BMW pads, but they did require bedding in to achieve that. Best of all, no dust at all. Life is too short to clean wheels every week, IMO.

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by 06E53

Whats the diff between EBC Red Stuff and Green Stuff?
Anyone using Akebono ceramic's?

I am using Akebono ceramics on the front with OE discs.

0 brake dust, 0 noise, and good stopping power, though as mentioned not as good as OE.

My rear set has just been shipped.

I bought both from ECS

[HPIA4v2]

IMHO, dust means better brake no way around it, even BMW can't do anything about it.
my 2011 335i comes with very new pads (my guess it's ceramic) virtually no dust even after 3-4 week of driving. My 2008 535i comes with the last batch of very high dust pads but the cold braking and pedal feel unmatches by 335i (now past breaking in period mind you).
Though if I have to choose I go with low dust, right now I have Akebono ceramic on my X5 (yep similar report here on it, low dust but brake feel is inferior to OEM).
But if you want compromise go get Hawk, still dust albeit less than OEM and the performance very close to OEM (but mine squeal on low speed braking toward traffic light).

GL

[06E53]

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

IMHO, dust means better brake no way around it, even BMW can't do anything about it.
my 2011 335i comes with very new pads (my guess it's ceramic) virtually no dust even after 3-4 week of driving. My 2008 535i comes with the last batch of very high dust pads but the cold braking and pedal feel unmatches by 335i (now past breaking in period mind you).
Though if I have to choose I go with low dust, right now I have Akebono ceramic on my X5 (yep similar report here on it, low dust but brake feel is inferior to OEM).
But if you want compromise go get Hawk, still dust albeit less than OEM and the performance very close to OEM (but mine squeal on low speed braking toward traffic light).

GL

Are you using OEM rotors on your X5 with the Akebono pads?

[06E53]

Thanks everyone for the input! Doesn't seem to be a clear winner though, seems they all have pros and cons alike.
Doug from "Turner Motorsports" suggested to me the Axxis XBG's. here are the links:
Fronts:
Turner Motorsport - Item# D1409M - X5 00-04 / E39 530 01-03 & 540 98-03 / E38 740 94-01 Front PBR / AXXIS Metal Master Brake Pads - E53 X5 E39 E38

Rears:
Turner Motorsport - Item# D1397M - E46 330/M3, E39 M5, E38 all, E53 X5 all, E83 X3 all, E9X 330, Z4 M, Z8 Rear Metal Master Brake Pads (set) - E46 E53 Z8 E38 E39 E90 E91 E92 E93 X3

[papasmurf]

My axxis pads (whatever the highest stopping power ones are) squeak a lot and make A LOT of dust, but man do they stop well. Then again, I never had the truck with OEM pads, so I can't compare.

[06E53]

Originally Posted by papasmurf

My axxis pads (whatever the highest stopping power ones are) squeak a lot and make A LOT of dust, but man do they stop well. Then again, I never had the truck with OEM pads, so I can't compare.

I'm surprised to hear that about the dust. These are supposed to be "low" dust pads. Still sure they're not as bad as OEM though!

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by 06E53

Are you using OEM rotors on your X5 with the Akebono pads?

I use Brembo vented (no slot, no drill holes) rotors which are claimed to be OEM. Zimmerman is another good ones.