What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[Joshdub]

That is even worse. I get it, people make mistakes, and yes, it can be expensive to repair, but you damaged someone else's personal property which very well could be something that they cherish. Own up and fix it, you pricks.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by edogg

Here I sit at my friendly neighborhood indy shop, getting new brakes and a fluid flush. Opted for Akebono ceramic pads and Zimmermann rotors. They're also going to replace the rubber caliper bushings too.

Then off to the alignment shop to get things straightened out (noticed a little bit of extra wear on the inside of the front tires).

You're gonna like the lack of brake dust, but there is also a lack of initial bite so be ready for that.

[edogg]

Originally Posted by admranger

You're gonna like the lack of brake dust, but there is also a lack of initial bite so be ready for that.

Yeah I can feel that the new brakes aren't as grabby as the OEM pads. I'm ok with it, though. I'm hoping I get better longevity out of them.

[puddinboo]

I had annoying clunk in the front end and on my 1st diagnosis it was what I suspected, the rht front stabilizer link.
next year I plan on rebuilding the rest of the front end. but now I have no clunking noise yeah .

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by edogg

Yeah I can feel that the new brakes aren't as grabby as the OEM pads. I'm ok with it, though. I'm hoping I get better longevity out of them.

I got 163,000 miles out of my first set of Akebonos and they probably could have safely gone 10-15,000 more. I agree they don't have that initial bite, but find they are more linear in stopping force as you apply pedal pressure. I think you'll like them.

2002 X5 3.0 287,500 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

[jgold47]

Originally Posted by edogg

Yeah I can feel that the new brakes aren't as grabby as the OEM pads. I'm ok with it, though. I'm hoping I get better longevity out of them.

this still takes some getting used to, I always feel like I need to bleed my brakes at first, and then whammy.

[Dking078]

Bought a used NOAH cover off ebay, great price to boot

[BigLion]

Bit the bullet and replaced front right shock absorber and back-left balloon. The FR shock was a fingers-crossed option of a used part which ended up not being able to be set at the same height as new new OEM shock I had to replace on the FL corner - the uneven height was messing with the ABS again and one day the compressor failed to lift the car at all; had to drive my daughter to school and one speed bump (this city is full of them) and *BAM*, the rear left balloon had four perforations when they pulled it out.
Decided to go OEM with all of them since it really isn't safe to risk a brake failure on your family DD. As of the weekend, driving like a good'un.

[edogg]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

I got 163,000 miles out of my first set of Akebonos and they probably could have safely gone 10-15,000 more. I agree they don't have that initial bite, but find they are more linear in stopping force as you apply pedal pressure. I think you'll like them.

2002 X5 3.0 287,500 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

Thanks for sharing your experience. How long did your rotors last? Did you have to replace them before replacing your pads?

I've been told to expect the rotors to last 50k miles. It would be nice if they lasted about the same as the pads...

The linear pressure is definitely noticeable. Before, I would gently press on the pedal and the brakes would grab instantly. Now, a gentle press barely engages the brakes so I have to press a little harder. And the pedal feels a little spongy. If I were on a racetrack, I would be concerned with this and want the instant grab. But I'm just a daily driving commuter and this works for me. Maybe they will feel a little different after a little more time (I only have about 150 miles on the new brakes now). But I'm not expecting it to change based on what I've read.

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by edogg

Thanks for sharing your experience. How long did your rotors last? Did you have to replace them before replacing your pads?

I've been told to expect the rotors to last 50k miles. It would be nice if they lasted about the same as the pads...

I have more than 220,000 miles on the rotors. They are Brembos and were supplied by FCP when I bought the first set of Akebono pads. As of my last tire rotation three weeks ago, there is still no visible wear edge on them.

2002 X5 3.0 287,550 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles