Another "which" brake pad/rotors to get?

[kevinkay]

2004, X5, 3.0
Last brake job used "genuine" BMW rotors from Bavarian Autosports)
with Pagid pads.

Brake Performance and pad wear has been fine, but
ALFUL dust grime on wheels
rotors rusted up almost immediately
rotors did not wear smooth, (my thinking - pad seemed too aggressive for rotor?)

My priorities are
#1 safety/performance
#2 low dust
#3 coated rotors to prevent rusting

Like to hear what others are using -

read Meyle Zinc rotors don't wear well with ceramic?
read to stay away from Akebono pads?

thinking towards Axxis Delux or Cool Carbon pads, but what rotors??

[bmw_jeff_X5]

I'm running the following mixed setup right now:
Front-Zimmerman Coat Z rotors with Bosch Quietcast Semi-Metallic Pads
Rear-Meyle Rotors with Centric Posi Quiet Ceramic Pads

Very low dust compared to the OE pads I had before. Stopping power is fine to me and I didn't notice a significant difference.

[JCL]

Best result I had with my 2003 E53 was with Axxis Deluxe and coated OE replacement rotors. No rust, no dust, same bite and pedal feel, some very slight pad noise (not squeal) occasionally, but only on the first application of the day.

[kevinkay]

"coated OE replacement rotors"
what brand?
thanks

[four.8is]

my stoptech slotted rotors arrived today...didn't order pads as of yet...I was about to buy the cool carbon's for the rear and something else for the front...just don't know if I should buy different brands...
Called zeckhausen , they said that axis deluxe aren't that good, and that I'll be better off with akebono ceramics...
I am even more confused now...if they had cool carbons for the front they would have been installed long time ago..

[JCL]

Originally Posted by kevinkay

"coated OE replacement rotors"
what brand?
thanks

OE is Original Equipment. In a BMW box, from my local dealer. The box was labelled to indicate the presence a coating to prevent corrosion, and they didn't rust like the original rotors supplied on the vehicle on the vehicle when new did. I was happier with them than the aftermarket ATE rotors that I tried but which rusted. I don't know if BMW supply rotors with and without a coating, or what is on offer today. I bought mine around 2006.

[srmmmm]

My first set of Akebono pads lasted over 160,000 miles. Replaced the rotors at the same time with Brembos from FCP Groton. I now have 192,000 miles on the rotors and 34,000 miles on my second set of Akebonos. No dust and no measuarable wear on the rotors. I painted all non friction surfaces on the rotors with good old Rustoleom silver paint when they were new and still don't have any rust showing.

The Akebonos don't have as much initial bite as the OEM pads, but total stopping power is the same as you can make the ABS kick in just fine on a panic stop. Never any wet weather or heat fade concerns with them.

2002 X5 3.0 261,000 miles
2004 325i 115,000 miles (also running Akebonos and Brembo)

[kevinkay]

"I now have 192,000 miles on the rotors and 34,000 miles on my second set of Akebonos"

Did you have the rotors turned down?
My first brake job on the X5 I put new pads (can't remember if they were Bendix or Centric - but they were semi-metalic) on the original Rotors without turning them down and by 20,000 rotors were a mess and car was pulling and screeching.

The more I read - the more the more confusing and the more I want to get a slotted and drilled $200. kit off Ebay.......

[TiAgX5]

I installed the zinc coated $200 drilled/slotted "made in USA" rotors from E-bay (BrakeLabs).

9 mos/15k miles and the hubs still look new. The Cool Carbon pads have worn .01" off the friction surfaces (LF rotor was 2.2" when installed, now 2.18" with 15k miles).

[srmmmm]

[QUOTE=kevinkay;1006449]"I now have 192,000 miles on the rotors and 34,000 miles on my second set of Akebonos"

Did you have the rotors turned down?


The rotors have never been turned. I can take my hands off the steering wheel at 80 mph and stop in a perfectly straight line. Quite honestly, these have been the best pad/rotor combination I've had in 40 years of driving.

2002 X5 261,000 miles
2004 325i 115,000 miles