Replacement brake pad recommendation
 

Looking for a stock replacement. Less dusty would be nice. No need for race like pads.
Pagid?
Jurrid?
Ate?
Etc?

I have used Zimmerman rotors and Akebono pads on my BMW e39s, e46s, and a Z3 over the last 12 years. I am curious if the X5 requires anything different because of the weight?

Akebono ceramics are excellent. Very good stopping power (for ceramic) and virtually no dust. Last forever and easy on rotors.

AM.

I have this combo on the X5 and love it. The Akebono is comparable to the Axxis Deluxe that I had on previously.

OK, you guys convinced me. I'll go with the Akebono's. Thanks again...

Akebono. Least amount of dust of any pad I've ever used. I haven't noticed any difference in bite between Akebonos and stock pads.

My Akebono squeal like a pig on heat; don't know what I did wrong. The rotors are OEM. I used the Akebono paste. They started squealing on reverse only but now they squeal even on forward motion. They always squeal only after sitting for many hours, like overnight or after work. They squeal only the first one or two brakes and after that as silent as the proverbial mouse. But as far as brake dust is concerned …. zero dust … wheels always super clean!

:dunno:

There is significant less initial bite on the Akebonos than stock pads (as is with all ceramic pads), but doesn't appeared to affect the overall stopping distance, from my experience. I liked that the pedal is more linear with the Akebonos than the "head hitting windshield" initial bite of the stock pads.

That's quite the oxymoron.

For me, in my climate, nothing works as well as OE pads. I want to like others for less dust but they do NOT stop as well at all.


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When you installed them did you put anti-squeal paste on them?

I have used Pagid red stuff for many years on several BMWs. They are ceramic so there is that loss of initial bit but not in stopping distance, might even be less, never measured. The is no dust.

For pads I’ve always gone to the dealership.

I did and at the time of install, and added more when they started squealing. Note that they don't squeal all the time - only the first one or two applications of braking after sitting for many hours, and thereafter silence through out the day. :dunno:

Go to any diy brake article to understand how to install pads.
There are many postings on pad options as there are multi opinions on "what is best".
Want cold stoping power? Use OE pads, Want better stoping power on spirited drives? Go aftermarket. Read manufacturers website for recommended selections. New rotors is always best process. Blanks from Brembo, Centrix, Bosch, OE, etc is my personal recommendation.
Driven by price only? See www.rockauto.com for cheap pads, OE like pads, low dust pad options, performance pads, race only pads, etc.
How you drive and the time in traffic will determine what is "best" for your X.

I've tried Akebono on several e39's and e46 over the years. The lack of dust is remarkable, but I could never get used to the lack of bite, either.

I've been driving BMW's with Genuine BMW brake pads for almost 17 years, it is hard to get used to a drop in braking performance in exchange for cleaner wheels.

Will be putting some new BBS wheels on our E53 soon, so the ceramic route is tempting. But I know I'll be disappointed if I do that.

I've been running Akebonos. No complaints about lack of bight from me.

The squealing has stopped over the last 6 months or so. I just love the super low dust, wow:thumbup:.

My favorite pad is Porterfield Racing R4-S compound(pdf).
"the R4-S compound giving a friction level up to .41"..."they will
give you an impressive increase in stopping ability with very minimum amount of pedal effort"..."is also rotor friendly'..."the R4-S compound has the absolute lowest
noise and dust levels possible".
A little pricey but worth it in my opinion. I do have to say that sometimes using their online search tool it doesn't always find the part number. But every time that happens I call them and they provide the part number and I place the order on the phone.

Akebono's are fine until you try OEM pads again. The lack of bite and feel and is very noticeable. I picked up some Textar pads from FCPeuro and wow, no comparison. There is noticeable brake dust but the stopping power is just fantastic. I've come to the conclusion that I prefer the dust over lack of performance.

I get my pads and sensors directly from BMW.

Have been using Pagid red stuff pads for a long time. Very low dust, initial bite is not as abrupt as OE pads but stopping distance is still decreased some, especially from freeway level speeds or multiple stops in a short period of time.

for me personally the e53 with cheap Centric semi-metallic pads stops MUCH better than the e46 convertible with ceramic.

Does anyone know if "semi-metallic" is code word for charcoal? Looking at the wheels you can't tell me different.

And that is why I run ceramic.

I have been running ceramic pads and the frozen centric rotors for years.

Just ordered Zimmerman rotors (made in Germany) and genuine BMW pads (made in Germany). The dust is a real drag, but the braking confidence in a daily driver is second to none.