Brake replacement question

[JCL]

Originally Posted by vsx05

What is your opinion regarding ceramic pads in general then?

Some ppl said overall they do not brake as well but very little dust is the big plus.

All brake pads make dust, it is a function of the pad wearing down. Ceramic pads just make dust that isn't as visible, a lighter tan colour instead of black. The black dust on some pads isn't made by the pad wear material, but by carbon black which is used as a filler. There are organic pads which make the same light tan coloured dust as some ceramic pads if low dust is important.

One issue with ceramic pads is that there isn't a single standard, there is a lot of marketing involved. True ceramic brakes are on thing, like ceramic rotors used on racing vehicles. Then there are ceramic pads for the street, and then there are regular organic pads that have a small amount of ceramic dust content added. IMO those aren't really ceramic pads.

What is important is how the pad works, not what the manufacturer calls it. All brake pads are a trade-off between initial bite, pedal feel, service life, cost, tendency to produce noise, cost, and so on. There are so-called ceramic pads that are better at some things on that list than others, just like there are organic pads that are better at some things instead of others. If you find a pad that works well for you, that suits your driving style and requirements, whether that be low noise, low cost, low fade, or whatever, then it isn't really important if it is called a ceramic or organic or semi-metallic.

[1stE53]

Yep. Its the price we pay for looking so good.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by 1stE53

Yep. Its the price we pay for looking so good.

So you are in the "my black brake dust is a badge of honour" club?

I prefer the low visible dust pads myself. Life is too short to clean wheels every few days, especially the M wheels with the narrow slots.

[1stE53]

Originally Posted by JCL

So you are in the "my black brake dust is a badge of honour" club?

I prefer the low visible dust pads myself. Life is too short to clean wheels every few days, especially the M wheels with the narrow slots.

I've never heard that put so eloquently, Thank you!! I have learned to live with cleaning them at least once a week. My wheels are a lot more simple though, 5 spoke (I have two cars to do this too though).

[FSETH]

I have an Oxford Green X5, which is a pretty dark color. It almost looks black at times. Call me crazy, but with the darker color paint, I think my wheels look better and more modern when they have a coating of brake dust on them. It dulls some of the factory silver finish and makes them look painted. It actually got me thinking about having them painted hyper black or gunmetal.

[rooroo]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I have an Oxford Green X5, which is a pretty dark color. It almost looks black at times. Call me crazy, but with the darker color paint, I think my wheels look better and more modern when they have a coating of brake dust on them. It dulls some of the factory silver finish and makes them look painted. It actually got me thinking about having them painted hyper black or gunmetal.

I feel the same way...
I get a little sad when my wife brings home the X or the Minis from the car wash, because I love the look of the wheels when they are coated with brake dust.

[ECS Tuning]

We try to make shopping and purchasing brakes for your vehicle simple and affordable with our 'RPS' kits.(Rotors Pads and Sensors)

Our RPS kits include everything you'll need to do the job at home on a Saturday afternoon. The RPS kit is a perfect brake replacement kit for your German vehicle.

Includes the following Parts:
* Front Brake Rotors
* Brake Pads
* Brake Wear Sensor

Click HERE for more information.


Feel free to shoot us a PM if you have any questions!

Best,
Joe

[Wayne's World]

Ghost Flames - I'm about 45 mins north of Doylestown in Easton. Let me know if you want to tackle the job one weekend. I've done my rotors and pads and sensors on my '06 3.0 Sport before, no big job. Maybe 3-4hours. If you haven't done the brake fluid flush yet, you might want to also consider it. If you are going with the parts from AutoZone, I believe you can pickup Castrol's LMA brake fluid from AutoZone which is pretty decent. I have the power bleeder as well.

[c4racer]

Don't need powerbleeders if you have children... Although, I bet those are a heck of a lot cheaper than kids.....

I like the gunmetal gray rims too on a dark car. here is my vette:



I haven't ever noticed brake dust on those rims, although I do wash the car 1-2 times a week typically. Hey, it's black and my DD, what am I gonna do right?