[dwells]

Hey everyone, my 335i is approaching the 60k mark and just tripped the brake pad sensor, so I'm planning to take care of everything at once. My two biggest concerns are the pads and rotors. I'm looking to save money where possible and want braking performance to be at least equal to OEM. I happen to like the look of dimpled rotors even if they're not practical for street usage. For pads, I'm leaning toward Akebono.

• What rotors would you recommend for an E92 335i looking for OEM or better performance but hoping to save a few bucks?
• What low-dust pads are the best? I'm leaning toward Akebono.

Also, while I'm at it, I need new sensors, brake fluid, and caliper paint. Any recommendations in this department?

Thanks!

[Hybrid For Life]

Akebon pads hands down

Rotors, OEM are good, Zimmerman is also common.

I'd say akebono and zimmerman.

[mweisdorfer]

Bosch makes a great set of pads and rotors and they are OEM quality. Plus you can get them in ceramic, which of course will keep your rims cleaner and they will last longer then the conventional semi metallic pads put on the car by BMW.

[junitos]

cool carbon racing brake pad


http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...arbon&_sacat=0

[junitos]

http://www.bavauto.com/assets/prodin...hbrakepad.html
good luck on your descision

[dwells]

• If I go with Akebono pads, what should I get for the rear? Looks like Akebono only does fronts?
• Any opinions on R1 Concepts premium slotted rotors?
• What would the recommendations be for the cheapest setup that would match OEM performance and dust less?

Thanks!

[AllBlackBimmer]

Zimmerman and Centric make quality replacement rotors at a good cost.

Pads effect braking more than rotors anyway.

I am going with the stoptech street performance pads... they seem to have nothing but positive results...I have read reviews of Hawk HPS and cool carbon pads and people didn't like the feel and switched to stoptech's with better feel.

It is really subjective to the "best" brakes, but any of the above would be good for street driving and a every-now and then track day.

[EAS]

We sell both Stoptech and Cool Carbon

We have a number of customers that have switched to Cool Carbon and are very pleased.
Great pedal feel and easy to modulate.
Friction cold is just above BMW OE and increases with heat in a very linear fashion.
Also very rotor friendly and excellent life

Always our first and best recommendation!

[dwells]

From what I'm reading, drilled and/or slotted rotors might actually do more harm than good for street use, so I'm looking more at blanks now. How does this setup look in terms of price, performance, reliability?

Akebono Euro front and rear pads, Zimmerman blanks, and some brake pad lubricant for $467 shipped.
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...nn-brakekit335

EDIT: Now I'm reading that Akebono Euro pads suck and that they'll destroy Zimmerman rotors... thoughts? http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1607791

EDIT 2: The more I read, the more I hear that any low-dust pad will lack the initial bite that OEM pads have. I want initial bite to be as good as or better than OEM, even if that means dust. Suggestions?

[tigermack]

Slotted looks so cool, though. lol

[hxs80]

Akebono also has rears, I just went all around on Akebonos. Loving not having to wash my rims twice a week. I got mine from FCPEuro.

[GoRomeo]

I got mine from FCPEuro too. Got a great deal on 2 rear Mayles rotors, akebono pads and a sensor. So far after 2 weeks good quality on rotors. I noticed that Akebono pads throw less brake dust than OEM. Highly recommended.

[dwells]

My concern with Akebonos is losing that sharp initial bite that the OEM pads have. I'm so used to that being there that I don't think I'd like going without it.

[cvc 22349a]

From everything I've read about street pads, nothing will have the initial bite of oem. Stoptech sp and hawk hps will be close and have more torque as they heat up.

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by dwells

My concern with Akebonos is losing that sharp initial bite that the OEM pads have. I'm so used to that being there that I don't think I'd like going without it.

I've had Akebono fronts for almost a month.

If you really care about initial bite, you won't like them. I notice (the lack of it) however it's not a big problem for me. Brake dust is much much less and you can probably find the pads for about half of what oe costs.

Too bad we can't have both strong bite and low dust.

[dwells]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

From everything I've read about street pads, nothing will have the initial bite of oem. Stoptech sp and hawk hps will be close and have more torque as they heat up.

That's what I'm seeming to realize. I found a lot of mixed feedback about the Hawk HPS but almost all good on the Stoptech Street Performance pads. Assuming they come close to the initial bite, I'll be happy with them.

Originally Posted by mlifxs

I've had Akebono fronts for almost a month.

If you really care about initial bite, you won't like them. I notice (the lack of it) however it's not a big problem for me. Brake dust is much much less and you can probably find the pads for about half of what oe costs.

Too bad we can't have both strong bite and low dust.

Thanks for the honest feedback, this is what I needed to hear. As nice as clean wheels would be, I'd rather deal with extra cleaning and the sharp bite that I'm used to.

Stoptech streets look like they might be the best of both worlds in terms of high bite and slightly reduced dust over OEM.