Brake replacement question

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by c4racer

you are lucky you don't have a 4.6is! Rotors for us are a lot more $$. I personally don't really trust Autozone sourced brake for a BMW. I like OEM type replacement parts, typically from German OEM suppliers. The BMW PN rotors for the 4.6is were $350 each, but I found Brembo OEM spec rotors for 1/3 of that. For pads I used Textar, which also is a german OEM supplier to BMW. Finished the job just today and it all works quite well after a 4 stop bedding.

Although I used an aftermarket brake pad sensor and it isn't resetting - Bentley said to hold key on ACC for 30sec which I did but either didn't clear the code, or the new sensor isn't working properly.

Congrats on the break job...

It says OEM specs right on the box. OEM is OEM... bought my last pads and rotors at Pep Boys they lasted 39,500 miles before the senser went off 2 days ago and my rotors hardly have any wear.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by Ghost-Flame

It says OEM specs right on the box. OEM is OEM... bought my last pads and rotors at Pep Boys they lasted 39,500 miles before the senser went off 2 days ago and my rotors hardly have any wear.

Don't confuse OE with OEM. OE is original equipment, period. OEM means that it is made by a manufacturer who produces the original part. It does not mean the part is the same as OE. OE is not OEM and not all OEM is created equal. All of these products vary as far as quality and exact design are concerned.

One big factor with regard to rotors is the vent design. Look at the quality put into these Centric rotors. I doubt, the same can be said for your rotors from Autozone.


DRUMS AND ROTORS - Centric Parts

[Ghost-Flame]

Originally Posted by FSETH

Don't confuse OE with OEM. OE is original equipment, period. OEM means that it is made by a manufacturer who produces the original part. It does not mean the part is the same as OE. OE is not OEM and not all OEM is created equal. All of these products vary as far as quality and exact design are concerned.

One big factor with regard to rotors is the vent design. Look at the quality put into these Centric rotors. I doubt, the same can be said for your rotors from Autozone.


DRUMS AND ROTORS - Centric Parts

they look good but other than keeping the heat down do they outlast oem? If you told me that a better pad and these rotors could get me to 60,000 or 80,000 instaed of 40,000 then there's value to me.I'm pretty white bread when it comes to cars function.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by Ghost-Flame

they look good but other than keeping the heat down do they outlast oem? If you told me that a better pad and these rotors could get me to 60,000 or 80,000 instaed of 40,000 then there's value to me.I'm pretty white bread when it comes to cars function.

I can't guarantee how long they will last because it depends on a lot of factors; towing duties, driving style, etc. However, I changed all four corners on my 02 4.4 sport to Centric plain rotors and Axxis XBG pads about 35,000 miles ago and they still seem to have a lot of pad life left. I am a believer of changing out the rotors with every set of new pads due to BMW rotors being on the thin side, so rotor life is not that important to me. It seems most pads wear before the rotors anyway. You may be able to get even longer life out of a Centric rotor/Axxis Delux pad combo as the Delux pads should be easier on the rotors. I would also feel confident that this combination is of much better quality than pads/rotors sourced from the local auto parts store. Also, don't be fooled into thinking Brembo, etc. aftermarket rotors are better than the Centric's just because of the name. Brembo big brake kits are one thing. Replacement rotors are another.

[Ghost-Flame]

Much Respect for your opinion... unless I can see a value for how I drive/performance etc... why should I pay more

I ride motorcycles The BMW crowd is always complaining about how difficult, costly repairs are because BMW takes the simple to the ridiculous in terms of parts and their placement. The parts are twice the japanese equivilent with minimal diffence in performance.

Some of the BMW is real fresh squeezed lemonaide but, you get a lot of coolaide with your lemonaide. the proof is how they love riding their bikes but, hate all the little problems and difficulty working on them. I think it's the same with the cars. BMW is built by zero tolerance engineers for zero tolerance engineers. Like my neighbor who has 4 newish BMW's and drives his toyota camry every day WTF.... you guessed it, he is an engineer.

Don't get me wrong I love the car but when it comes to coolaide I don't want to pay for lemonaide. Opinions vary...

This is all meant in fun but, you know there is some truth to what i'm saying... peace

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by Ghost-Flame

Much Respect for your opinion... unless I can see a value for how I drive/performance etc... why should I pay more

Well, as far as the rotor is concerned, if the venting doesn't meet or exceed OE standards, then you could possibly experience more brake fade due to heat. Plus your rotor hats are going to turn rusty and look horrible after a while. I get your logic though. Some parts I would go aftermarket because they may be as good, but others will fall short. I like to think I am using the good stuff as far as brakes are concerned because they are important.

The Centric rotors are not BMW rotors. They are also aftermarket, but they are a good quality aftermarket product. There are many less expensive aftermarket products that do not meet or exceed OE quality. I choose not to buy those. I paid $392 for the centric rotors and Axxis XBG pads for all 4 corners (plus shipping). Just out of curiousity, how much was your total at the local auto parts store?

By the way, I just re-read your first post. I changed out my rotors and pads with the Centric/Axxis stuff between 80,000 and 85,000 miles and well. My X now has 120,XXX miles on it and I have a lot of life left on the pads/rotors. What products/brands did you change to at 85,000 where you are already changing them again?

Edit; I just saw you paid $167 for the fronts. I pad $70 more, but feel the quality of what I got over what could be purchased at the local parts store was worth it. I know I have OE or above venting, black coated hubs and shimmy free pedal feel. I am still curious as to what pads you had that wore out in 35,000 miles.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by FSETH

Well, as far as the rotor is concerned, if the venting doesn't meet or exceed OE standards, then you could possibly experience more brake fade due to heat. Plus your rotor hats are going to turn rusty and look horrible after a while. I get your logic though. Some parts I would go aftermarket because they may be as good, but others will fall short. I like to think I am using the good stuff as far as brakes are concerned because they are important.

The Centric rotors are not BMW rotors. They are also aftermarket, but they are a good quality aftermarket product. There are many less expensive aftermarket products that do not meet or exceed OE quality. I choose not to buy those. I paid $392 for the centric rotors and Axxis XBG pads for all 4 corners (plus shipping). Just out of curiousity, how much was your total at the local auto parts store?

By the way, I just re-read your first post. I changed out my rotors and pads with the Centric/Axxis stuff between 80,000 and 85,000 miles and well. My X now has 120,XXX miles on it and I have a lot of life left on the pads/rotors. What products/brands did you change to at 85,000 where you are already changing them again?

Edit; I just saw you paid $167 for the fronts. I pad $70 more, but feel the quality of what I got over what could be purchased at the local parts store was worth it. I know I have OE or above venting, black coated hubs and shimmy free pedal feel. I am still curious as to what pads you had that wore out in 35,000 miles.

That's a killer deal for rotors/pads on all 4 corners. Well done!

BTW: your comment on Brembo et al name not meaning higher quality (necessarily) was spot on. My comment about throwing brembo blanks on there was meant as an inexpensive solution to the issue. The blanks function just fine, though they will not look as nice as the centric's over time. I'm somewhat of an anomoly as in my experience I develop rotor cracks before (lots of track time on my cars). Haven't had to worry about the X5 as the previous owner bought the extended maintenance plan (yay!). On my M3 I'm replacing brake rotors with PFC products. Nice US made products (priced accordingly). They work fabulous on the track though!