Brake advice (I know, I know)...

[cfmistry]

So I've searched and read many threads, but still want more info on a few products in particular. I'm looking for any advice on the following:

Axxis ceramic pads - what are the cons to a ceramic pad?
EBC rotors - I've seen their slotted rotors online, anyone have any experience with them?
Also does anyone know the best place to buy OEM or Brembo rotors?

Thanks,
-Cyrus

[FSETH]

This is a link to the Axxis tech data. If you click a catagory, it will show you how their ceramic pads stack up against others types. The Delux Advanced are the ceramic pads.

AXXIS BRAKES - Technical Charts

No personal experience with EBC rotors.

Also, just to be sure you know there is a difference between OE (which is the stuff you get from the BMW dealer) and OEM (which is a product made by a manufacturer who also makes OE equipment). OEM is not necessarily the same as OE.

A few good sites to start would be Dave Z., Turner and Bav Auto for OEM rotors.

BMW X5 Products - StopTech big brake kits, pads, tires

Turner Motorsport | BMW Front Brake Rotors - Discs

BMW Parts and BMW Accessories | Bavarian Autosport

Lastly, I would strongly suggest looking at the Centric rotors if you are considering going aftermarket. I have these rotors on my e53 and e36 and have been very happy. Quality appears to be pretty good, imo, and the coating on the hub keeps them looking nice for a long time.

DRUMS AND ROTORS - Centric Parts

[cfmistry]

So after some searching I've come to the following conclusion. I want to run StopTech drilled/slotted rotors and Axxis Ultimate pads. My other alternative will be Centric rotors and Axxis Ultimate pads. Does anyone know where I can buy all of these products online at one site? I visitied Zeckhausen but they don't carry any Axxis pads for our X5.

Thanks,
-Cyus

[cannan]

I purchase most of my brake necessities from here....

BMW X5 Products - StopTech big brake kits, pads, tires

[JCL]

With respect to the Axxis Ultimate Pads, I assume these are what Axxis is now calling the ULT pad. I have used several sets of the Axxis Deluxe pads on different vehicles, and have been very happy with them. Others may have more experience with the ULT, but the increased brake noise, increased rotor wear, shorter pad life, and lack of cold bite, all compared to the Deluxe (and as published by Axxis in their technical literature) would keep me away from them. I never had the Deluxe pads fade, so the promise of increased fade resistance with the ULT meant little to me.

I wouldn't put much stock in the word "ceramic". It just doesn't mean very much. To me, the Deluxe pad is an organic pad, with an unknown amount of a ceramic filler. Same with the ULT pad, but I would expect a larger % of ceramic fillers. The important thing with both of these pads is that they don't have carbon black as a filler, so you won't get the black dust that is intentionally blended into many pad formulations. They do have copper, so they are not fully organic, but all this just illustrates that manufacturers can call them whatever they like, there aren't standards.

If you want to run slotted rotors, fine. Getting drilled ones is really giving up performance for looks, though. But if the looks are more important than the performance, go for it.

If Zeckhausen isn't carrying the Axxis pads any more, you can look for someone selling them under the original PBR name. Or go to the Axxis site in the link that FSETH provided, they have a Where to Buy page.

[cfmistry]

Originally Posted by JCL

With respect to the Axxis Ultimate Pads, I assume these are what Axxis is now calling the ULT pad. I have used several sets of the Axxis Deluxe pads on different vehicles, and have been very happy with them. Others may have more experience with the ULT, but the increased brake noise, increased rotor wear, shorter pad life, and lack of cold bite, all compared to the Deluxe (and as published by Axxis in their technical literature) would keep me away from them. I never had the Deluxe pads fade, so the promise of increased fade resistance with the ULT meant little to me.

I wouldn't put much stock in the word "ceramic". It just doesn't mean very much. To me, the Deluxe pad is an organic pad, with an unknown amount of a ceramic filler. Same with the ULT pad, but I would expect a larger % of ceramic fillers. The important thing with both of these pads is that they don't have carbon black as a filler, so you won't get the black dust that is intentionally blended into many pad formulations. They do have copper, so they are not fully organic, but all this just illustrates that manufacturers can call them whatever they like, there aren't standards.

If you want to run slotted rotors, fine. Getting drilled ones is really giving up performance for looks, though. But if the looks are more important than the performance, go for it.

If Zeckhausen isn't carrying the Axxis pads any more, you can look for someone selling them under the original PBR name. Or go to the Axxis site in the link that FSETH provided, they have a Where to Buy page.

JCL thank you for your contribution as always. I actually misspoke - I was interested in the Axxis Deluxe pads, not the Ultimates. I've heard very good things from everyone about the Deluxe line.

Update: After much reading, it seems that my best bet is to go with OE BMW rotors and PBR Deluxe pads. I can order all of these from ECS for $500 shipped (front and rear) which seems reasonable to me.

Thanks again for all the help,
Cyrus

[JCL]

Originally Posted by cfmistry

After much reading, it seems that my best bet is to go with OE BMW rotors and PBR Deluxe pads. I can order all of these from ECS for $500 shipped (front and rear) which seems reasonable to me.

Excellent plan. Get 2 new sensors as well; even if they haven't tripped the warning lights, they go hard from the heat, so it's not a bad idea to replace them, and they aren't expensive.

[cfmistry]

Originally Posted by JCL

Excellent plan. Get 2 new sensors as well; even if they haven't tripped the warning lights, they go hard from the heat, so it's not a bad idea to replace them, and they aren't expensive.

Forgot to mention I got those as well (OE BMW) in my ECS order. My Brake light is on so I know they have to be replaced.

Thanks again,
-Cyrus

[huntertec]

I just fitted a Stoptech big brake kit to my 05d 355mm drilled rotors fr/re with 4 piston fr 2piston re. The slotted are for sure better for performance but yes for looks I went for drilled in saying that though they are far better than the standard brakes they replaced, I had to make a sudden stop two days after they were fitted and they bit hard I actually had to ease off on the pedal as I wasn't aware of their bite under severe braking. Only problem Stoptech is the worst company I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with, it took 3 months from the time they were ordered to the time they arrived on our shores, never had this problem with any other company I've ordered from, they were even kind enough to supply the wrong studs for the rear callipers.

[J.Belknap]

Just throwing this out there... pretty good stuff.

Pegasus - Castrol SRF Synthetic Racing Brake Fluid