[ferocity02]

I'm running the stock pads and boy do they create a ton of dust and squel when warmed up! I'm looking to switch to ceramic pads entirely to reduce the dust.

Totally understand I'm not going to get the same performance or initial bite. Thats fine as the car is 100% daily driver, occasional spirited driving, no track.

I had Akebonos at one time and hated them, they clunked around in the calipers because they were undersized. However they produced essentially zero dust. Even after hundreds of.miles the wheels were still completely clean!

Also open to non-ceramic pads that are low dusting.

This is for a 135i.

[335i54n]

akebono would be my go to for brake dust concerns, i know texstar makes a low dust version otherwise youre looking at race pads like carbotech. if you coat your wheels a quick pressure wash spray cleans them pretty well.

this from my m5 experience, i just live with the brake dust and get oe pads

akebono is always a safe bet

Hawk has a carbon pad as well, I believe

[ferocity02]

I had Akebonos and can confirm they produce essentially zero dust. However given my experience with them clunking all the time I will never use them again.

At the moment I'm looking at Brembo ceramic pads, EBC Redstuff, or Cool Carbon.

[MAN15H]

Another vote for Akebonos. Have had them on the car for many thousands of miles and am on my second set of pads now. They produce very little dust and I haven't noticed any noise or other issues.

[edycol]

From performance standpoint Akebono is absolute garbage. So, you are giving up a lot.
ATE and Textar have ceramic version.
OE compound, JURID has very low dust. JURID is OE supplier for E90, and I have now their aftermarket pads on 328, and almost no dust, but same performance.

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by edycol

From performance standpoint Akebono is absolute garbage. So, you are giving up a lot.
ATE and Textar have ceramic version.
OE compound, JURID has very low dust. JURID is OE supplier for E90, and I have now their aftermarket pads on 328, and almost no dust, but same performance.

Agree with this. Akebonos are generally softer as a rule compared to OE (for any vehicle application) - that's just their profile. But if you thought OEs bit too hard or dusted too much these are an easy answer.

Consider Hawk 5.0 as well for a better solution of grip + lower dust.

[ferocity02]

Lots of love for Akebono here, which I understand, they are indeed a very low dust pad. But after having them on my 335i and wife's Volvo they are NOT a performance pad by any means. Significantly more pedal pressure is required to achieve the same braking force. That is a drawback of of having such a low dusting pad, or any ceramic pad really. I went with EBC Redstuff. Seems like you can't go wrong with these for a good performing street pad with less dust than stock (but more dust than akebono i suspect).

[edycol]

Originally Posted by ferocity02

Lots of love for Akebono here, which I understand, they are indeed a very low dust pad. But after having them on my 335i and wife's Volvo they are NOT a performance pad by any means. Significantly more pedal pressure is required to achieve the same braking force. That is a drawback of of having such a low dusting pad, or any ceramic pad really. I went with EBC Redstuff. Seems like you can't go wrong with these for a good performing street pad with less dust than stock (but more dust than akebono i suspect).

I had Akebono on VW CC several years back. Took them off after 3k miles. One is basically turning BMW brakes into Toyota brakes. Then one might as well buy Camry.
First thing I did on my Toyota SIenna minivan is taking down brakes (OE pads are Akebono) put EBC Greenstuff. But what I found is that EBC is bit too aggressive on rotor. I have now Pagid regular pads, and they actually perform better than EBC Greenstuff.
I have Redstuff on my wife's Tiguan, and I think OEM BMW pads are still better.

[Brian86]

Carbotech makes the best ceramic brakes... but they will only make your dust problem considerably worse. The dust does clean off very easily.

I'll probably catch flak for this but...

I've had AC Delco professional semi-metallic on my e91 for about 10k miles. I don't think they put out any dust. I certainly haven't noticed any build up in-between washes (which have been few and far between). I'm quite pleased with them for daily commuting and occasional spirited street driving.

[bmw335ie90]

After the Akebono pads break in (like 500 miles) I cant barely tell a difference between them and the ATE ones that were on before. Same on my e39, not sure why everyone else has such bad results.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by bmw335ie90

After the Akebono pads break in (like 500 miles) I cant barely tell a difference between them and the ATE ones that were on before. Same on my e39, not sure why everyone else has such bad results.

I think everyone who complains about Akebonos must have a sprained ankle . They definitely have less bite but I see little to no ultimate stopping power difference vs OE pads. Will they hold out better or worse on hard repeated braking? I've no idea.

[Ozzie335i]

I think the initial bite that people are used to with the OEM brake pads gives the impression that they have more stopping power. I like that I can feather in the brakes more smoothly with the Akenono. And yes, zero dust. To me smooth is good, as it is a BMW. It comes down to this: If you want less, or no, dust get the Akebonos and be done with it. If you want the impression of stronger brakes you'll also have to deal with brake dust.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Ozzie335i

I think the initial bite that people are used to with the OEM brake pads gives the impression that they have more stopping power. I like that I can feather in the brakes more smoothly with the Akenono. And yes, zero dust. To me smooth is good, as it is a BMW. It comes down to this: If you want less, or no, dust get the Akebonos and be done with it. If you want the impression of stronger brakes you'll also have to deal with brake dust.

Some people that I know tried to use AK on track, bcs. marketing and good fade resistance.
They are 10-15sec slower compared to OE or OEM pads.
If you want true performance ceramic pad that is on par with OE, you would have to pay much more than some $90.
Compound that AK are made of are really good on minivans etc. where profile of drivers are different. Those pads have pretty good longevity, are good on rotors and have good fade resistance. Fade resistance is very important as that profile of driver spends a lot of time utilizing brakes downhill etc.
But they are far cry from performance pads. That is why no one uses that compound to make street performance, track or racing pads. You cannot have it both ways.

[Ozzie335i]

Per ferocity02: "Thats fine as the car is 100% daily driver, occasional spirited driving, no track."

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Ozzie335i

Per ferocity02: "Thats fine as the car is 100% daily driver, occasional spirited driving, no track."

Why BMW then? Toyota Camry does all that very well.

[bmw335ie90]

Originally Posted by edycol

Why BMW then? Toyota Camry does all that very well.

Lol, we cant have a BMW if we don't drive hard or track?

[edycol]

Originally Posted by bmw335ie90

Lol, we cant have a BMW if we don't drive hard or track?

Both vehicles can move 60mph. Brake performance is different.
If you think brake performance between AK and OE or OEM BMW pads is only at performance margine, good for yoy, keep thinking, just bit farther from other vehicles.

[POBEP]

Originally Posted by gjm120

I think everyone who complains about Akebonos must have a sprained ankle . They definitely have less bite but I see little to no ultimate stopping power difference vs OE pads. Will they hold out better or worse on hard repeated braking? I've no idea.

+1.

"stopping power difference" complaints come from those who never drove car without power brake booster (or power steering).

This is operator (not equipment) issue.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by POBEP

+1.

"stopping power difference" complaints come from those who never drove car without power brake booster (or power steering).

This is operator (not equipment) issue.

Keep comforting yourself.
AK has regular ceramic compound. Besides standard issues, weak initial bite and horrible modulation, they require more heat to provide whatever performance they can deliver, which is contrary to what street pad should be. Street pads are all about cold performance. There is a reason why pads like AK are choice for appliance vehicles like minivan's etc. Reason is that there is expectation of more brake utilization when vehicle go downhill, etc. For average soccer mom they are probably best choice.
But, there is trade off in performance.
Also, I drove hill climb races in Yugo 55. What boosters and power steerings?

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

I love my akebonos. Very little dusting. Brakes feel great. Run a DSC calibration after installing as well - you'll be surprised what a difference it makes. I had OEM prior to installing them and I can't tell any real difference. There's nothing I miss about OEM.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by POBEP

+1.

"stopping power difference" complaints come from those who never drove car without power brake booster (or power steering).

This is operator (not equipment) issue.

I think with most tires we are running - especially if all season - the wheels will lock up and trigger abs with my akebono pads about the same as the OE they replaced.