[rightaway]

looking for people that have real word experience with brakes and not just hear say. I have been reading tons of threads about all different set of brakes.one thread will say they are great and the next will say they suck. here is what I'm looking for

2009 328i 6mt. I'm replacing all the brakes. I'm must likely keeping the stock rotors.

I'm looking for brakes that have way less dust than factory.
I'm starting to try out autocross events. maybe 5 times a years.
must me quiet. stock quiet. no noise.
so better braking than factory is better. not looking for lifetime brakes. I don't drive a lot for working. less than 100 miles a week for work.

[mweisdorfer]

I think you will have a very difficult time finding ceramic pads which release little it no brake dust that break better then OEM semi-metallic pads.

Akebono or Bosch Euro line might be your best bet.

[rightaway]

how are they for track use?

[justpete]

It's the tires that limit how well the brakes can work really. If they can't support the applied torque to the rotors with the optimum slip ABS will kick in. Your OE brakes are sufficient to do this. And the rotors are plenty good enough for the limited thermal loading autocrossing presents compared to roadrace tracking.

But. Initial cold bite and release, and modulation, is really what you're most concerned about, I think. Not sure but it sounds like it anyway. And that might explain why all the descriptions are scattered all over the place and conflicting sometimes.

The OE pads in the 2011 barely dust but have incredible bite and provide pretty solid torque through a lap session if not abused and are run with racing fluid. No idea if they can be used on your car but BMW did something different on this MY that's surprised every instructor who's driven the car. It's tracking and not autocross so take it for what it's worth, just my two cents.

Moving to Carbotech XP10 up front to use with Toyo R1Rs after changing the calipers to 135i parts but that's only because I've reached the limits of the brakes on the track now but haven't progressed far enough to be allowed to use true R-Comps yet. Corner entry speeds are too high for OE brakes and street tires even with 0.9g braking force, thus stickier tires to get more braking force in a shorter time.

[rightaway]

my tires are Michelin super sports. I hear different things about the factory brakes and didn't want to go to my first event and didn't want to wish that I had upgraded the brakes first.

[vm]

Originally Posted by rightaway

my tires are Michelin super sports. I hear different things about the factory brakes and didn't want to go to my first event and didn't want to wish that I had upgraded the brakes first.

You mentioned autocross and not track. Autocrosses are generally not very demanding on the brakes so any pad should work. I went to an autocross this past week (I also have Michelin PSS's) and this was a non issue. I have cool carbons in the front and had just changed to Akebonos for the rear. I'll have Akebonos all around for my next autocross and expect no difference. Track is another issue as brake use is a lot more intense.

[rightaway]

I'm thinking about going more track than autocross. I think I might go to Watkins Glen and NJMP Lightning with the BMW local clubs. Does that change things with the brakes. I was reading all the info before I go and they said that they check the brakes for tech inspection. How much life do you need to have?

[vm]

Originally Posted by rightaway

How much life do you need to have?

Usually greater than 50%

[rightaway]

looks like I need to find brakes very soon. I'm down to about 5/32 front 4/32 rear. still have decide on brake pads. what is a good pad for more track but still daily driver that isn't noisy

[David1]

Originally Posted by rightaway

I'm thinking about going more track than autocross. I think I might go to Watkins Glen and NJMP Lightning with the BMW local clubs. Does that change things with the brakes. I was reading all the info before I go and they said that they check the brakes for tech inspection. How much life do you need to have?

Do not use ceramic pads on the track. They will get to hot and pad material will transfer to the rotor giving you brake jutter and pad fade, not just fade from the fluid getting hot.

[rightaway]

what is a good non ceramic pads for better than stock brakes, daily driver, and light track use

[r1concepts]

Originally Posted by rightaway

what is a good non ceramic pads for better than stock brakes, daily driver, and light track use

Stoptech or Hawk HPS pads are good for light track use. Light track use only.

[AceOnShake]

Go OEM! Trust me went with akebono euro ceramic pads and they are decent. Initial bite is what BMW's are meant to have and its completely gone.

Those brakes I put on a 2003 X5 and were the same price as OEM for 60.00 shipped.
Textar/Pagid/Jurid all oem suppliers.

[rightaway]

Originally Posted by MentegoE90

Go OEM! Trust me went with akebono euro ceramic pads and they are decent. Initial bite is what BMW's are meant to have and its completely gone.

Those brakes I put on a 2003 X5 and were the same price as OEM for 60.00 shipped.
Textar/Pagid/Jurid all oem suppliers.

so the aftermarket brake pads don't have that much more benefits as a stock pad?

[David1]

Originally Posted by rightaway

so the aftermarket brake pads don't have that much more benefits as a stock pad?

The stock pads are a very good all around pad.

[kaede]

Originally Posted by rightaway

so the aftermarket brake pads don't have that much more benefits as a stock pad?

Most aftermarket pads (if you're NOT referring to SERIOUS track pads) will dust much less, and have better brake modulation/power. Also depending on which one you're getting, most should be quiet as well.

The typical OEM BMW pads have EXCELLENT initial bite (i have not yet tried or found anything aftermarket that offers equal or better initial bite) but braking power fades away a bit as you really push harder onto the brakes. Where as aftermarket sport/track pads offer less intial bite, but much more stopping power as you apply more force into the brake pedal.

I do a few track and autox events a year (no more than 5) and i am on Racing Brake ET800. They are excellent in the events, no drama and no fading, offers excellent light track and autox braking performance. On the street, the braking power is linear and is much stronger than OEM. Downside is that as i mentioned, the strong BMW initial bite is gone. I'd it have around 60-75% of the initial bite that the oem offered, which braking power increased by A LOT.

Have fun reading reviews and shopping around! Good Luck!

[rightaway]

the more I read, the more confused I get

[vm]

Originally Posted by rightaway

the more I read, the more confused I get

OK, let me try to "un-confused" you. You start your original post by asking for a pad that doesnt exist. It has to brake better than OE, dust less, be as quiet, and even work great on the track and the only "compromise" that you can have is that is not lifetime. This combination doesnt exist. There are so many options available but I am going to give you a brief recommendation:

1- For a similar to OE pad that dusts a lot less and work for autocross and might work for your first couple of track outings go with Akebonos euros.
2- For a similar to OE pad that dust just a little less than OE and can handle some more track duties go with either Cool Carbons or Hawk HPS.

There are other gazillion options but remember that each option compromises something. About this initial bite mentioned before, you dont know if this is an issue for your until you try it. Is not an issue for me.