Is mixing brake pad brands a problem?

[bmw1racer]

Checked my brake pads today and my rears worn considerably more than the fronts (which seems odd).

I'd like to replace the rears with a different brand (maybe Akebono) than the fronts (original stock). Is this inadvisable?

[gjm120]

I think it'd be better to change all 4 - especially mixing Akebono with stock. I changed to Akebono's last year and the difference in initial bite is huge - Akebono having much less bite. I really like the Akebono's they are just different.

[tracer bullet]

I'd agree to keep them the same type on all 4 corners. There are a lot of upgrades we can do with our cars, including the brake pads, but I'd caution against trying to re-engineer the braking balance that was built into the car to begin with. Different pads F & R could easily do that, assuming other things didn't also change to balance it - and even then you'd better know what you are doing or have a track or similar to do testing.

[bmw1racer]

I figured changing all four was the best thing to do, but I thought I'd double check.

I thought about getting the OEM replacements for the rears, but there's no way I could guarantee that they'd be the same low dust pads. And the markings on the pads are confusing: The silkscreen markings indicate that they're Ate pads, but what's stamped on the metal portion of the pads is Textar.

[tracer bullet]

The suppliers could change over time but in theory they would be the same materials and dimensions and meeting the same specs - in theory!

[gjm120]

My OE pads were Jurid, so yes they do change suppliers.

[bmw1racer]

Since we're talking about the pads, isn't it sorta weird that the pads in back would be wearing out faster than the fronts?

I would've thought the fronts would wear out faster than the rears because of the weight transfer during braking... Unless there's a problem with brake biasing in my car? Or maybe the rear pads are softer than the fronts?

[tracer bullet]

I would historically think so as well, and say it's a sign of a problem. But - that's sort of a days gone by thing. With some cars (including ours, I think but haven't verified) the proportioning is done electronically. Rear brakes could easily be worn more than the front if the car makes the decision to bias towards the rear.

Not sure if this is happening for you or not but - perhaps it is?

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Since we're talking about the pads, isn't it sorta weird that the pads in back would be wearing out faster than the fronts?

I would've thought the fronts would wear out faster than the rears because of the weight transfer during braking... Unless there's a problem with brake biasing in my car? Or maybe the rear pads are softer than the fronts?

Do you drive very aggressively often? If so, the stability control could be working the rear wheels harder.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Since we're talking about the pads, isn't it sorta weird that the pads in back would be wearing out faster than the fronts?

I would've thought the fronts would wear out faster than the rears because of the weight transfer during braking... Unless there's a problem with brake biasing in my car? Or maybe the rear pads are softer than the fronts?

Ediff uses the rear brakes. Lots of aggressive acceleration will wear out the rear brakes quick.

Rear brakes also do less work, so they don't get as hot as the front brakes. This means the rear pads will corrode on the ears faster, and seize in the carriers sooner.

[lakefront]

A German car thing? I've seen this in VWs, Audi, and both my BMWs, the rears wear faster than the fronts. No clue why this would be...

[SayHack]

I had previously used different brand for the front and rear.....I never noticed any issues, as long as they both are reputable brands.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Ediff uses the rear brakes. Lots of aggressive acceleration will wear out the rear brakes quick.

Rear brakes also do less work, so they don't get as hot as the front brakes. This means the rear pads will corrode on the ears faster, and seize in the carriers sooner.

And by seizing in the carriers, they'll stay in contact with the discs much longer and thus wear faster, right?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

And by seizing in the carriers, they'll stay in contact with the discs much longer and thus wear faster, right?

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

And by seizing in the carriers, they'll stay in contact with the discs much longer and thus wear faster, right?

Exactly. When the pads are seized in the carriers, it is like driving with your foot on the brake pedal at all times.

[JimD]

The 128 uses a sliding caliper with a piston on only one side. That works fine as long as the caliper actually slides on the pin. If it doesn't and drags, the pads wear unevenly.

My rears were about the same thickness as the fronts when I replaced. I was surprised but figure it was the stability control/ediff occasionally using the rear brakes.

Brake pads are cheap enough that mixing types and/or brands may not make a lot of sense. But I think it's like what the tire places tell you about mixing brands/types of tires on the two axles. It isn't a great idea but would probably not actually cause a problem. (I think mixing on the same end of the car is much more likely to actually have a noticable consequence).

[bmw1racer]

Hopefully I'll get my pads before the weekend comes around and I'll change 'em out.

I haven't changed the pads on this car before, but I expect that the setup isn't that much different than what was on my E36... Hope I don't get surprised by needing some weird BMW-only tool or the like.

[bmw1racer]

Pic #1: driver side rear
Pic #2: passenger side rear
Pic #3: driver side front
Pic #4: passenger side front

Looks like the rears (~7mm) are about half the thickness of the fronts (~13mm).

[tracer bullet]

I'd be curious how thick they are new.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

I'd be curious how thick they are new.

I'll measure the Akebono pads when I get 'em.

[NorthernDancer]

I'd say 13mm in front is almost brand new. I have a brake pad measurement tool and the thickest measure is 12mm.

https://www.amazon.com/Steelman-9784...gateway&sr=8-1

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

I'd say 13mm in front is almost brand new.

That would be weird. Wonder what the inside pad thickness looks like...?

I'll find out this weekend if the weather holds up.

I have a brake pad measurement tool and the thickest measure is 12mm.

I just used the depth gauge portion of my caliper and poked it through the opening of my wheel for a rough measurement.

[bmw1racer]

This is an interesting discovery that I don't think anyone has ever pointed out regarding the brake pads (at least for the 128i): I received the Akebono pads today and the fronts (13mm) are thicker than the rears (10mm).

I never would've guessed this... When I changed my pads on my E36, I'm pretty sure they were the same thickness.

That probably means that the rears on my 128i were NOT wearing faster than the fronts, but that they're thinner to begin with. Why would BMW do something like this?

And that means that I really didn't need to rush and buy a new set of pads for the car... Doh.