[Dannyboy]

Originally Posted by mlifxs

Well, you know, a 2014 v6 camry would probably smoke my '07 328i butt in a straight line anyhow, so maybe it should have brakes with good initial bite

if you like the akebonos, enjoy.

Nice!

[J-Spec Dan]

they're designed for long life and low dust. had to wash my LM reps twice a week when i had OEM pads but didn't have to for a month once i switched to akebono euro pads.

now that i have gunmetal 219M's, it doesn't make much of a difference to me.

[SSW]

Just placed an order for a set of Akebono pads w/Tire Rack, which has them on sale.

Only have 6k miles on the rotors and will get them turned when the Akebonos go on. Really tired of having to clean the wheels 1-2x's a week to get the OEM brake dust off and can't wait until I get the Akebonos are installed.

[Meeni]

This review is accurate and match my own experience. These pads need use to get better, once settled they are very, very good.

[Meeni]

Originally Posted by mike-y

it was most noticeable for me on cold mornings. I was nearly impossible to lock up the brakes when it a) it was cold outside, and b) the brakes were also cold. I remember one situation where a car pulled out in front of me on my way to work, and I stood on the brake pedal. the car hardly slowed at all, and I almost hit the guy. I did not experience this with the OEM pads. I did not like that at all, which is why I switched to the HPS after a few months.

That is also true, but only temporary. After 2 month initial bite in cold weather is back to normal. But living in the north and having to change pads in winter would make methink twice.

[sd_luis]

I have EBC red stuff and love them! They have better stopping power than OEM, but with way less the dust. I'm running them on my rears and still have OEM on the fronts and holyy shiiit! you can see the difference! lol

[sd_luis]

Also I heard that Akebono Pads are suitable for OEM wheels since they produce a silver dust. I have black wheels so it would be horrible lol

[e90bmw328i]

Originally Posted by SSW

Just placed an order for a set of Akebono pads w/Tire Rack, which has them on sale.

Only have 6k miles on the rotors and will get them turned when the Akebonos go on. Really tired of having to clean the wheels 1-2x's a week to get the OEM brake dust off and can't wait until I get the Akebonos are installed.

+1.

BTW, I read on this forum that the OEM rotors are a slightly softer material compared to other brands and hence turning is not recommended. That is the reason I replaced my front rotors with zimmermann. For another $150, its just peace of mind. My rear rotors were still fairly clean and zero lip if any and decided to just reuse it without turning. I know, I know, we need to turn the rotors everytime we change the pads, but wasnt practical in my case.

[e90bmw328i]

Originally Posted by Meeni

This review is accurate and match my own experience. These pads need use to get better, once settled they are very, very good.

+1.

2K miles now, and dont miss the OEM pads AT ALL. And so many people have asked me if I washed my car even when there are bird droppings on the roof . Wheels are silver and not powder coated black. I might try other rotors in the future but Akebono does it for me.

[SSW]

I've already put over 500 miles on the new Akebono pads and the newly turned rotors.

The brakes work as good as the stock pads w/o the same amount of brake dust -- just a light film that's hardly noticeable, as opposed to the heavily blackened and dirty look after just a couple of days w/the OEM pads. There's no brake squeal and I do NOT notice any lack of "bite" or stopping power w/the Akebonos.

Update 04/09/14:

Took the E90 on a 200 mile loop today, much of which was along narrow back roads w/long straights and hairpin turns, which gave the brakes a workout. When I got home, I had to wash off all the bugs on the hood, fender and windshield and when I looked at the wheels, they were entirely CLEAN and really didn't need washing, even though I washed them anyway. If I still had the OEM pads on, the wheels would have been black w/brake dust.

The Ankebono's are absolutely FABULOUS!!!!

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

ive heard good things so i def will try them once i need pads!

[SaviorXi]

I must agree with the majority of posters on this thread. I replaced my front and rear pads last week with the Akebono pads and I think they are great. I was so sick and tired of cleaning my BBS rgrs daily with the OEM pads. These pads stop amazingly well and after putting 200 miles on them my wheels are as clean as when I put the pads on. This IS the pad for me. I already have the stoptech slotted and drilled rotors so I am not sure if that helps or not but they look good. Next week I am flushing my lines and installing the ECS 6 upgraded brake lines with new fluid. It will only get better from here.

[thaar]

I replaced my front pads and rotors just as the OP did (akebono's and zimmerman rotors) about 6 weeks ago. I performed the bedding after installation, and notice no difference between them and OEM. I feel the bedding helped really break them in properly. The dust is way less and the performance is great.

[e90bmw328i]

Originally Posted by thaar

I replaced my front pads and rotors just as the OP did (akebono's and zimmerman rotors) about 6 weeks ago. I performed the bedding after installation, and notice no difference between them and OEM. I feel the bedding helped really break them in properly. The dust is way less and the performance is great.

Glad you like the setup. Now let's all see how long this setup lasts. Oem's lasted 40k miles for me.

[Rollo`]

I can't understand how my car is the only one that these pads do not seem to fit on properly. I have tried 2 sets of the Akebono ceramics and both make a clanking noise as if the pad is sliding back and forth (around the circumference) when braking.

I guess I am going to have to buy some OEM pads and test them to make sure it is not some other kind of problem.

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by Rollo`

I can't understand how my car is the only one that these pads do not seem to fit on properly. I have tried 2 sets of the Akebono ceramics and both make a clanking noise as if the pad is sliding back and forth (around the circumference) when braking.

I guess I am going to have to buy some OEM pads and test them to make sure it is not some other kind of problem.

Had the same issue w/ mine after 2 autocrosses (braked hard enough to engage ABS on a sandy parking lot). Took them off and noticed the retaining clip slipped slightly from where it was on the backing plate, so it was no longer an exact fit on the caliper. Replaced them w/ new OEM textar pads, and the noise was gone.

They could have been perfect street pads if they design the clips properly... (I suspects most people who use these pads dont typically brake hard enough to deformed those poorly attached clips).

[e90bmw328i]

Ok, sad news. I am seeing this brake noise as well now on the Akebono. Mainly when backing up and then moving forward. The pads are provable sliding within the guides. Never tracked my car to be honest.

[mweisdorfer]

Akebono pads are known to not be fully broken into new rotors until about 1k. You can help this process by "bedding or burnishing" the pads and rotors.

You will love the fact that your rims will always be clean to be sure!

Akebono is a great choice for the daily driver.

I love Akebono's set up on Brembo UV rotors.

[Julian2485]

Originally Posted by mike-y

it was most noticeable for me on cold mornings. I was nearly impossible to lock up the brakes when it a) it was cold outside, and b) the brakes were also cold. I remember one situation where a car pulled out in front of me on my way to work, and I stood on the brake pedal. the car hardly slowed at all, and I almost hit the guy. I did not experience this with the OEM pads. I did not like that at all, which is why I switched to the HPS after a few months.

Is it true that hps pads Dust a lot like oem and I heard they squeal a lot as well. Compare the intial bite to oem

[Rollo`]

Originally Posted by Metblack328i

Ok, sad news. I am seeing this brake noise as well now on the Akebono. Mainly when backing up and then moving forward. The pads are provable sliding within the guides. Never tracked my car to be honest.

Well, that tells me it must be the pads then. Now what pads am I going to get to replace these? I'd really like some that don't dust as bad as OEMs.

Once I replace these and confirm 100% that the noise is gone I'll let the nice folks at Akebono know about the problem.

[e90bmw328i]

Updated the OP after 35K miles of driving on this setup. Mixed feelings.

[GoRomeo]

I have had great experience with Akebono pads. I have used them for the last 6 yrs or so. I installed them on front and rears. Love the fact that I dont have to worry about brake dust. My rims remain clean for weeks when before with OEM had to clean them every other day... cheers!