E53 Brake Upgrades?
 

Okay, I searched with little success (maybe I'm not using the right key words?)...

Our '06 3.0 X5 started to display the 'Check Brake Linings' warning message this morning. I'm assuming I have a little bit of time and don't have to get them replaced tomorrow, but I'm wondering about minor upgrades?

Are the stock pads the best option, or are their aftermarket pads with similar or better performance, possibly even for less? Can Stock Brake perfromance be retained with less dusting?

I'll have to try to find the min specs for rotor thickness as well, but if its time for rotors, same question applies..

I'm not looking to spend large amounts of money, or do BBK swaps, just wondering if there are better components than the stock ones that may buy me similar or even better performance for similar (or less) outlay.

Thanks in advance..

ECSTuning.com (site sponsor) has kits available. $259 for the front, $220 for the rear. That's rotors, pads & new sensors. Very good price. Pads are ceramic. They will match your stock performance but produce far less dust.

Alternatively, Autopartswarehouse.com has Powerstop cross-drilled & slotted rotors, ceramic pads, new sensors for $376.88, for all four corners.

But the slotted and drilled stuff is really for appearance. You won't see much of a real braking performance from that in daily driving.

i know its been a month, but was that a special, or something? I am showing 464.75..unless there was a 75 dollar difference for a 3.0 to 4.4

For those of you who are interested, I ended up going with the Axxis Ultimate pads, and Power Slot slotted rotors front and rear. I purchased the rotors, front pads and sensors from Zeckhausen Racing, and was pleased with the responsiveness and the overall experience dealing with Joe Ciarfella. I will definitely use them in the future, and recommend them to others.

I'm quite pleased with the feel and performance, the only current issue is I can't get my 'Check Brake Linnings' message and red Brake reminder light to go off. I haven't had a chance to take things back apart and check the plug's and put a meter on the actual sensor links for continuity as it has been raining a lot lately..

EDIT: I finally got a chance to look at the brake sensors. Both of the plugs had one pin literally pushed out of the back side of the plug. I was able to straighten and re-seat the pins, but it was a bit of a pain to get the plugs to go together without a repeat of the incident. :wow: All is well now though, and the warning is cleared, yeah!