Brake rotor/pad replacements for street use

Jeff J · 10-02-2015, 07:03 AM

Seeking a consensus or at least good discussion of the best replacement brake rotors and pads for a 135i coupe that's used exclusively on the street. Spirited street driving, sure, but no dedicated track use. Initial bite and overall stopping power are key, as is low noise. Reduced dust over OEM is a benefit but not a demand. Oh, and not having to pay full OEM dealer prices would be nice too, bUT if the OEM setup really is the right choice, thats goof info too. Ideally I'd retain stock sizes so it's just a brake job and not new calipers too.

I've read through the threads I could find with Search, but most are either older or focused on track use rather than street...

135TX · 10-02-2015, 08:33 AM

well I can say from my experience don't get cool carbon pads if you don't want noise.

nikijack · 10-02-2015, 09:23 AM

Hi: I've tried EBC Green, and went back to stock pads. They work better.
Jack

850tgul · 10-02-2015, 09:27 AM

128 here so could be completely apples to oranges here but I just recently did all 4 pads and rotors and went with meyle platinum rotors and textar pads. Initial bite is just as good as oe, no more squeaking, and substantially less dust than stock. To top it off the rotors are finished with a protective coating which perfectly matches the color of my silver wheels.

BrokenVert · 10-02-2015, 09:31 AM

I've been running StopTech rotors and Hawk HPS pads for a while. They work well and look good

mr.fabulous · 10-02-2015, 09:53 AM

Stock rotors and Posi-Quiet pads here. Less dust than factory (the only reason I put them on in the first place), but *noisy*. I wish somebody would make a decent ceramic for these cars....

Jeff J · 10-02-2015, 10:38 AM

Thanks for the input so far!

There are two non-dealership BMW specialty shops here in town. One is recommending Akebono pads on an aftermarket rotor (didn't catch the brand). The other is recommending Bosch Quiet Cast pads on OEM rotors.

Anyone know anything about those options? If they're not great, I'm sure I can always go source my own parts.

mr.fabulous · 10-02-2015, 10:53 AM

I find no evidence Akebono makes ceramics for a 135i. Anybody knows differently, please reply with specifics.

Jeff J · 10-02-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

I find no evidence Akebono makes ceramics for a 135i. Anybody knows differently, please reply with specifics.

Shop #2 said they would normally use Akebono, but they stopped production for 135i. Supposedly restarts in January. They said they're replace the Bosch pads with Akebono when production resumed if I wanted. So it sounds like they're confident a product will be available sometime in the near term.

NorthernDancer · 10-02-2015, 02:59 PM

Akebono are very good pads, don't know the Bosch product. I'm using Cool Carbon. They are quiet, as Bav Auto and Cool Carbon recommend, I put Permatex Disc Brake Quiet compound on the back of the pads about 24 hours before they were installed. BMW OE rotors are very good and even OE BMW pads are very good.

Pkaia524 · 10-03-2015, 07:04 AM

IMO rotors are rotors. I put $20 rotors on my SpecE30 for track use and they have never failed/cracked etc. For pure street use any rotor will be fine. if the cosmetics of cross drilled rotors are what you desire, then spend the $. If not, save those $ and spend it on the pads.

I have to disagree with the comment above regarding Textar pads. I put them on my fronts and they are definitely "softer", especially as you go deeper into the pedal. I tend to get to my pedal late and I didnt have the confidence in the Textars as I did in the OEMs. I would stick with OEM. Buy them online (FCP, ECS, etc) .

kerry431 · 10-03-2015, 11:11 AM

Zimmerman Rotors and Red Stuff pads....they are very good with little dust.

Mr Rooty Von Tooty · 10-03-2015, 11:41 AM

I have Akebono pads on my SLK, but the company doesn't make them for the 135i.

I do have the Hawk Ceramic pads, yellow box, on it. They stop better, make very little dust, and are slightly cheaper than the stock pads. Another advantage is they are very kind to the stock rotors which show very little wear.

Matticus91 · 10-03-2015, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

I have Akebono pads on my SLK, but the company doesn't make them for the 135i.

I do have the Hawk Ceramic pads, yellow box, on it. They stop better, make very little dust, and are slightly cheaper than the stock pads. Another advantage is they are very kind to the stock rotors which show very little wear.

I haven't had to replace the rotors/pads on the 135i yet but I've used Hawk pads in the past and I've always been happy with them. Dust levels depend entirely on the color you get though.

mr.fabulous · 10-04-2015, 08:59 AM

Can somebody tell me the part number for Hawk Yellow Box for a 135i? Even the Hawk site doesn't list box color...

Mr Rooty Von Tooty · 10-04-2015, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

Can somebody tell me the part number for Hawk Yellow Box for a 135i? Even the Hawk site doesn't list box color...

Hawk Performance Ceramic Pads:

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...151004152532:s

Mr Rooty Von Tooty · 10-04-2015, 10:30 AM

BTW, with the Hawk Ceramic pads, you can keep your wheels spotless and shiny without resorting to the hassle of washing. Just wipe them off every couple of weeks with a red rag.

mr.fabulous · 10-04-2015, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

Hawk Performance Ceramic Pads:

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...151004152532:s

Tire Rack doesn't have anything by Hawk for a 135i...

Mr Rooty Von Tooty · 10-05-2015, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

Tire Rack doesn't have anything by Hawk for a 135i...

Are you that helpless? I just gave an example of the product. You'll have to search for a vendor. I bought mine off Amazon several years ago.

onefastsvt · 10-05-2015, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

Are you that helpless? I just gave an example of the product. You'll have to search for a vendor. I bought mine off Amazon several years ago.

Way to keep it cool with a fellow board member.

I have had great luck with the StopTech and Hawk street strip pads on my M3. I have not had to replace on the 135I but I would use one of these brands again in a heart beat.

Someone mentioned Zimmerman rotors. I would 100% agree with that recommendation as well. I run their rotors on my E46 M3 race car with great success.

Jeff J · 10-05-2015, 09:07 PM

So I contacted Akebono today, and they confirmed that they do not make pads for the 135i, and have no plans to do so because it's a low volume niche product. So scratch that idea.

thanks for all of the other suggestions. i'll do some reviewing, consult with the shop, and see what we come up with. May just go back with OEM pads, as they've worked well - just very dusty.

mr.fabulous · 10-05-2015, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff J

So I contacted Akebono today, and they confirmed that they do not make pads for the 135i, and have no plans to do so because it's a low volume niche product. So scratch that idea.

thanks for all of the other suggestions. i'll do some reviewing, consult with the shop, and see what we come up with. May just go back with OEM pads, as they've worked well - just very dusty.

That sucks, I ran Akebono product on a previous family X5 and they were easily the cleanest brakes I have ever experienced.

I'm having an email conversation with Hawk regarding "yellow box" for a 135i (which I cannot find)... and it seems this is what they call "Performa Ceramic"... which it seems *may* (not sure) be NLA for this car. I will pass that on once I have confirmation.

But, seriously... as much as I cannot get the squeal out of my PQ LR, I would not recommend the stock Pagid pads from BMW under any circumstance (except perhaps something to burn through at the track over a weekend)... look for PosiQuiet (Centric)... it's a better product. IMHO

10-02-2015, 07:03 AM	#1
Jeff J Private First Class 108 Rep 195 Posts Drives: '24 X5M, '18 M2, '09 135i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wichita, KS iTrader: (0)	Brake rotor/pad replacements for street use Seeking a consensus or at least good discussion of the best replacement brake rotors and pads for a 135i coupe that's used exclusively on the street. Spirited street driving, sure, but no dedicated track use. Initial bite and overall stopping power are key, as is low noise. Reduced dust over OEM is a benefit but not a demand. Oh, and not having to pay full OEM dealer prices would be nice too, bUT if the OEM setup really is the right choice, thats goof info too. Ideally I'd retain stock sizes so it's just a brake job and not new calipers too. I've read through the threads I could find with Search, but most are either older or focused on track use rather than street...
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10-02-2015, 09:23 AM	#3
nikijack Second Lieutenant 37 Rep 246 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i, Grey, manual Join Date: May 2010 Location: Markdale, On, Canada iTrader: (0)	Hi: I've tried EBC Green, and went back to stock pads. They work better. Jack
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10-02-2015, 09:27 AM	#4
850tgul Captain 280 Rep 998 Posts Drives: 718 GT4, F87 M2, F30 330xi, X3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (15)	128 here so could be completely apples to oranges here but I just recently did all 4 pads and rotors and went with meyle platinum rotors and textar pads. Initial bite is just as good as oe, no more squeaking, and substantially less dust than stock. To top it off the rotors are finished with a protective coating which perfectly matches the color of my silver wheels.
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10-02-2015, 09:31 AM	#5
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	I've been running StopTech rotors and Hawk HPS pads for a while. They work well and look good __________________
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10-02-2015, 09:53 AM	#6
mr.fabulous Captain 211 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	Stock rotors and Posi-Quiet pads here. Less dust than factory (the only reason I put them on in the first place), but noisy. I wish somebody would make a decent ceramic for these cars.... __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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10-02-2015, 10:38 AM	#7
Jeff J Private First Class 108 Rep 195 Posts Drives: '24 X5M, '18 M2, '09 135i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wichita, KS iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input so far! There are two non-dealership BMW specialty shops here in town. One is recommending Akebono pads on an aftermarket rotor (didn't catch the brand). The other is recommending Bosch Quiet Cast pads on OEM rotors. Anyone know anything about those options? If they're not great, I'm sure I can always go source my own parts.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

10-02-2015, 10:53 AM	#8
mr.fabulous Captain 211 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	I find no evidence Akebono makes ceramics for a 135i. Anybody knows differently, please reply with specifics. __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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10-02-2015, 02:59 PM	#10
NorthernDancer Colonel 850 Rep 2,276 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	Akebono are very good pads, don't know the Bosch product. I'm using Cool Carbon. They are quiet, as Bav Auto and Cool Carbon recommend, I put Permatex Disc Brake Quiet compound on the back of the pads about 24 hours before they were installed. BMW OE rotors are very good and even OE BMW pads are very good.
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10-03-2015, 07:04 AM	#11
Pkaia524 Private First Class 43 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2008 128i 6MT coupe Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	IMO rotors are rotors. I put $20 rotors on my SpecE30 for track use and they have never failed/cracked etc. For pure street use any rotor will be fine. if the cosmetics of cross drilled rotors are what you desire, then spend the $. If not, save those $ and spend it on the pads. I have to disagree with the comment above regarding Textar pads. I put them on my fronts and they are definitely "softer", especially as you go deeper into the pedal. I tend to get to my pedal late and I didnt have the confidence in the Textars as I did in the OEMs. I would stick with OEM. Buy them online (FCP, ECS, etc) .
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-03-2015, 11:11 AM	#12
kerry431 New Member 3 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2009 135i coupe Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Zimmerman Rotors and Red Stuff pads....they are very good with little dust.
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10-03-2015, 11:41 AM	#13
Mr Rooty Von Tooty Banned 117 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Dayton, OH iTrader: (0)	I have Akebono pads on my SLK, but the company doesn't make them for the 135i. I do have the Hawk Ceramic pads, yellow box, on it. They stop better, make very little dust, and are slightly cheaper than the stock pads. Another advantage is they are very kind to the stock rotors which show very little wear.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-04-2015, 08:59 AM	#15
mr.fabulous Captain 211 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	Can somebody tell me the part number for Hawk Yellow Box for a 135i? Even the Hawk site doesn't list box color... __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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10-04-2015, 10:30 AM	#17
Mr Rooty Von Tooty Banned 117 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Dayton, OH iTrader: (0)	BTW, with the Hawk Ceramic pads, you can keep your wheels spotless and shiny without resorting to the hassle of washing. Just wipe them off every couple of weeks with a red rag.
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10-05-2015, 09:07 PM	#21
Jeff J Private First Class 108 Rep 195 Posts Drives: '24 X5M, '18 M2, '09 135i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wichita, KS iTrader: (0)	So I contacted Akebono today, and they confirmed that they do not make pads for the 135i, and have no plans to do so because it's a low volume niche product. So scratch that idea. thanks for all of the other suggestions. i'll do some reviewing, consult with the shop, and see what we come up with. May just go back with OEM pads, as they've worked well - just very dusty.
	Appreciate 0 Quote