New pads.

H

Herminator

Senior member
 Edinburgh
It was MOT time this week, the car passed without a problem but there was an advisory about the front brake pads. The discs appear to be fine to my eye, no groove/lip on them, although the rears are a different story.

The rear pads were changed at the last service, the cars about ready for it's next service (61k) but I won't be getting the brakes done at BMW prices :roll:

What pads would be a good replacement for the fronts? I don't need ultimate performance, although a bit more than standard would be nice, I'd definetly like less dust though :fuelfire:
Should I think about changing the rears at the same time? I'm going to have to try and take a closer look at the discs tomorrow and see if I can work out if they need changing.

I've heard of Greenstuff pads, what should I expect to pay for them? any good places to buy from? Any alternatives?

How much do the OEM versions cost?
 
I use the EBC Greenstuff as a good compromise between performance and low dust. Had them ont he X5 for 3 years and the Zed for getting on a year and love them.

Ebay sourced alongside EBC rotors but just take care to ensure a relaibel trader and they are genuine stuff.

Axxis are also good and have used them for their low dut.

IMHO steer clear of any fast road type pads for what you do.
 
So you'd change to matching discs at the same time?

Would it matter if I keep the rears as standard for now?
 
I'm not advocating that at all. If the discs are not scored or worn close to their limits keep them.

If changing discs then you're opening up a while new area of discussion on OEM or aftemarket. Again with discs OEM are pretty good unless you happen to fancy messing with drilled or grooved.

If I changed I'd do fron tan rear all at once to keep the balance the same as they could perform differently. As yo uknow i did the lot with EBC in one go.
 
I have used both greenstuff and redstuff in the past and found them to be pretty good. Improvement over OEM and good value too. You can get them direct from EBC.
 
Akebono Euro pads. They are ceramic, quiet and stop at least as well as the OEM pads. Plus they are almost dust free which is the main reason I chose them.
 
cj10jeeper said:
I'm not advocating that at all. If the discs are not scored or worn close to their limits keep them.

If changing discs then you're opening up a while new area of discussion on OEM or aftemarket. Again with discs OEM are pretty good unless you happen to fancy messing with drilled or grooved.

If I changed I'd do fron tan rear all at once to keep the balance the same as they could perform differently. As yo uknow i did the lot with EBC in one go.
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Ok thats what I was pretty much thinking.
Keep the front discs as they appear to be in good condition but change the rear discs (for new OEM) and all pads for EBC Greenstuff to keep the balance all round. :thumbsup:
 
Axxis seem harder to get here in the UK :thumbsdown:

Anyone know if BMW sell their brake discs in pairs or is the price they give for one? just been checking on www.cooper-bmw-parts.co.uk
 
im in the same position, just started to get the brake pad warning light on the dash, it comes and goes so i was thinking id use it as an excuse to replace front and rear pads and discs, my thinking being i dont know how long the current ones have been on the car and the discs do look worn/have a lip on them.
 
Herminator said:
Anyone know if BMW sell their brake discs in pairs or is the price they give for one? just been checking on http://www.cooper-bmw-parts.co.uk
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They're sold on a per side basis - at least you can just order two of the same number and not have to worry about getting the correct disc on the correct side :oops:

Can't recommend a standard pad as I usually just go for Ferodo DS2500 (a bit dusty), DS3000 (not dusty, but quite hard on discs), or recently EBC YellowStuffs (because I get the EBCs for 50% off for being a marshal).
 
blimey! just priced up greenstuff pads front & rear, replacement wear sensors & ultimax discs front and rear - £437.17 from the direct web site. some savings on ebay but couldnt see eveything from 1 seller so postage costs make the savings a bit less.

think ill pop down to my local garage and see what they quote for the same parts, plus id be going to them for fitting anyway.
 
Yep, them discs aren't cheap :(
I noticed the pads for the rear were cheaper on the direct website by quite a long way, the fronts were cheaper on ebay but not by a lot.
 
overall a shade over a £100 a corner isnt all that bad i suppose, upgrade on original - cant skimp on stopping power :thumbsup:
 
Herminator said:
Axxis seem harder to get here in the UK :thumbsdown:
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eMail order from a source - worth the price - EBC products have a bad rap this side of the pond... that was research done 3 years ago - perhaps EBC has improved...?
 
In all fairness on this thread the suggestions from the US guys on the pads are not a lot of help. We don't get the Axxix at the same price and with import duty, shipping from the US etc. just not worth it.

I believe years back EBC had some issue with adhesive but they have an awesome reputation this side of the pond.

I researched this in great depth and ended up with EBC ultimate discs and greenstuff pads on all 4 corners discounted to £400 by an Ebay seller. Those were the larger E46 discs too. As an aside if you go EBC discs with grooves they do groan slightly on braking and are not silent. I actially like it, but be aware.
 
I was lucky I suppose as I did not get a customs charge on the Axxis. For the X5, it was under £70 for all wheels delivered (but then the dollar was weaker at the time, i.e. 2:1).
 
pvr said:
I was lucky I suppose as I did not get a customs charge on the Axxis. For the X5, it was under £70 for all wheels delivered (but then the dollar was weaker at the time, i.e. 2:1).
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That's the luck of the draw of course. These days they seem to be a lot hotter and even the post office now charge and they were always too lazy to bother. As you say added to the now 1.5 rate the reasons to import have diminished greatly. I've almost ceased any imports for my Jeeps for that reason.
I just like you did import discs and pads for the X5 (Brembo's) 2 years ago and it was a real bargain.
 
Ive tried EBC Greenstuff in the past on my VX; i dont know if they needed warming up a LOT but i never had any confidence in them at all... Maybe they need to be on a heavier car.

Yesterday however i just fitted EBC Redstuff's along with Brembo discs (Front) to my Zed and it feels EXCELLENT after 30+ miles of bedding in. Very confidence inspiring initial bite and excellent pedal feel. They have some kind of Ceramic Kevlar compound iirc which is good if you dont want much dust apparently! Dont get Mintex 1144/1155's if you like clean wheels :roll:

Could someone please tell me though... The EBC's (iirc) didnt have room for the pad sensor..? If not, is there some way of 'hacking' it so that the light doesnt come on? Im thinking you probably just connect the wires together?
 
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