Replacing original rotors and pads

[SDS135]

It's come time to replace my original pads and rotors. Looking for recommendations on a good/affordable aftermarket set-up. Also considered taking it to BMW but prices are insane.
My 135i is a daily driver with a Stage 1 tune and upgraded exhaust n intake. Ill take it to the track once or twice this summer but that's not my main priority.
Not looking to upgrade to a BBK, just a new set of pads and rotors.
I've done some reading and Cool Carbon pads got great reviews, problem is that getting them here in Toronto, Ontario is not that easy (usually a special order with added cost). I've looked at a STOPTECH setup (street performance pads with slotted rotors) but the reviews have been mixed. Open to suggestions based on your experiences. Thanks again!

[Focusedintntions]

Honestly if you're doing dd, the cool carbons are impossible to beat. They're worth ordering from the US and having them shipped to you.

[SDS135]

Yeah I agree! The extra $$ is worth it. Really need advice on rotors, heard horror stories on the slotted rotors with rush and debris causing more harm then good.

[Focusedintntions]

If you don't care about the look of slotted/drilled. For street and occasional track the best thing really are OEM quality blanks. Brakes aren't something you generally do a lot, it's worth it to spend a few bucks more to get the good stuff. After all the most important thing any car does is stop. And knowing it will stop well and do it repeatedly is the best bang for the buck.

[Dackelone]

I'll tell you... when it comes to brake rotors... I would ONLY use BMW original rotors. On my old e39 I have changed the rotors twice now. First ATE and then Bosch. Both just do not hold up to the rigors of Autobahn driving. The ATE's were batter than Bosch ones. But now I have gone to the BMW original rotors and I am very happy. No more warped rotors!! Also... while they look the same... all rotors are not. The BMW rotors were definitely heavier and I suppose better quality steel. I have done front brakes on my e39 now three times and I hope I am done for awhile.


PS: I have the Performance drilled and slotted rotors on my 135i. I like them. They do not really offer any advantage over stock. They just look cool. ECS has a good deal on them right now(or they did). You might also check some of the other dealer vendors on 1Addicts too.

[SDS135]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

If you don't care about the look of slotted/drilled. For street and occasional track the best thing really are OEM quality blanks. Brakes aren't something you generally do a lot, it's worth it to spend a few bucks more to get the good stuff. After all the most important thing any car does is stop. And knowing it will stop well and do it repeatedly is the best bang for the buck.

Totally agree! The pricing from BMW if I buy the parts is rather high which is why I'm wondering if I can get something aftermarket with meets or exceeds that quality/performance for a similar cost. I will not comprise brakes quality (getting something cheap) just to save a couple $.

[litebulb]

Hey SDS135, just wondering how much your dealer quoted you? I was quoted $1200 for front and rear pad and rotors at Brian Jessel. Its too bad in Canada we don't get free brake maintenance like the states.

[SDS135]

Originally Posted by litebulb

Hey SDS135, just wondering how much your dealer quoted you? I was quoted $1200 for front and rear pad and rotors at Brian Jessel. Its too bad in Canada we don't get free brake maintenance like the states.

Same $1175 plus tax was the best I found. Endras BMW

[ulrichd]

I did the Stoptech drilled rotors in the front, stock rotors in the back and Cool Carbon pads. I have about 3,500 miles on that setup and I am really happy with it. Also the brake dust is about 1/3 of the stock set-up.

I did it myself but I have done brakes before. On something as important as brakes I would not recommend "giving it a shot". Maybe try to find a good independent BMW shop.

[Pig Farmer]

You can't go wrong with the OEM drilled&slotted front rotors and dimple&slotted rear rotors for a DD. I have also run EBC USR Series rear rotors and have been very happy. The EBC's seem a bit softer in the wear department but they are completely silent unlike some slotted rotors.

[SDS135]

Looking on ECS Tuning (they will ship to Canada, ill have to pay tax but not sure about duty... anyone know?) any concerns going with the BMW cross drilled, slotted performance rotors for the front and just doing the BMW regular rotors on the back. They got a wicked deal on the fronts right now! As for pads maybe just source some Cool Carbons locally.

[MIAblu1]

Im looking to change the rotors and pads up front and just pads in the rear as the front shows pretty good wear but rears look good. Suggestions on front rotor replacement? keep ing stock calipers as OP states... where should i buy?

[SDS135]

Does anyone have experience with Textar pads? Been doing some research and it looks like they are the OEM pad just not branded BMW. Can anyone confirm this or have any experience with the pads?

[1speedbike]

I really like my BMW performance rotors. They are pretty much the same as the OEM 135i ones except they're slotted and drilled. The only real downside is that they aren't directional, so one side looks as though it's on backwards when it's really not. Also the rear rotors have faux-drilled dimples. They are great quality, and didn't cost much more than simple OEM replacements would have.

For pads, I LOVE my Ferodo DS2500 pads. I did a lot of research and ended up choosing these over Hawk, Cool Carbon, and EBC. They started screechy as hell for the first hundred miles or so, but now are noise free. Some people have complained of noise but I'm going on 15K miles with these and no problems; I'm convinced they weren't installed correctly for those people. They also have much less brake dust, and the dust itself is a less noticeable pinkish color instead of the regular brown/black. Finally, they don't have that hard initial bite that the stock pads have, and I didn't like it at first, but it honestly grew on me because they just feel very good and are so easy to modulate to exactly how hard you want to brake, so it doesn't even need that hard bite to make them feel confident. They stand up to moderate abuse too. They were a bit more expensive than cool carbons, but I think they're worth it, plus they can double duty for some light tracking/autocrossing. I've heard horror stories of the cool carbons crumbling apart after some abuse (never on the street though). The only downside is that there is no cutout for the brake sensors, so youor your install shop are going to have to mcguyver the sensor onto the pad, or just go without it like I did and string up the sensor without it being attached so you don't have a light on the dash.

That's just my opinion. It's hard to go wrong with any of the options suggested in this thread.

[fboutlaw]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

For pads, I LOVE my Ferodo DS2500 pads. I did a lot of research and ended up choosing these over Hawk, Cool Carbon, and EBC.

+1 on Ferodo DS2500's.

A friend and I who autox together both burned through our stock pads and were looking for a replacement. We independently each chose cool carbons, because of the internet. And they start out great, until you heat them up. Then it feels like you're compressing cardboard into the rotors to try to stop the vehicle. That's not much of an exaggeration, they really are that bad after a tiny bit of heat. He replaced his pads with Ferodo's, loves them over Hawk, OEM, + others he has run in the past. I went back to OEM pads temporarily then went the bbk route with stoptech with their street performance pads and am not looking back. The pads are fantastic for stopping but aren't the quietest (though nowhere near as bad as hawk).

If you're on OEM setup, and liked the performance of the OEM pads, stick with them. There are lots of pad choices out there and only a few are good. Of those you're lucky if you find one that fits your driving style.

[kevin @ eas]

Many many customers with cool carbons that love them including ourselves...important to bed them properly which is not difficult and to provide good transfer layer onto rotor surface. If pads are not properly bedded than they can glaze...some holds true with all brands...any product with high popularity will generally have more complaints but we have a considerable customer base of very satisfied customers. always our first and highest recommendation!

They are a street performance pad that can handle light to medium track duty rather than a track oriented pad that may be ok on the street but with expected noise and increased rotor wear possibilities.

Please contact/ pm for further information

[08LMB135i]

Originally Posted by litebulb

Hey SDS135, just wondering how much your dealer quoted you? I was quoted $1200 for front and rear pad and rotors at Brian Jessel. Its too bad in Canada we don't get free brake maintenance like the states.

BMW Canada does value package brakes $1175 plus tax for pads and rotors, sensors are extra if needed so that quote of $1200 is about right.

[Wrniknbl]

+1 Ferodo 2500's

[SDS135]

Is it true that with their ferodo pads you cannot install sensors so ill have the light on all the time?

I've decided ill do the slotted/cross drilled front rotors (genuine BMW), regular rear rotors (genuine BMW).

Should I go cool carbon pads or stoptech street performance pads. I'd have to pay an additional $140 for the CC (price difference for front a d rears). Is it really worth the added investment? Been reading good reviews on the stoptech.

[Nugget]

Ferodos don't have the spot for the sensor, but you can join up the wires and tuck them out of the way so you won't get any warning lights.

[EAS]

Originally Posted by SDS135

Is it true that with their ferodo pads you cannot install sensors so ill have the light on all the time?

I've decided ill do the slotted/cross drilled front rotors (genuine BMW), regular rear rotors (genuine BMW).

Should I go cool carbon pads or stoptech street performance pads. I'd have to pay an additional $140 for the CC (price difference for front a d rears). Is it really worth the added investment? Been reading good reviews on the stoptech.

Easy choice---Cool Carbon Street Performance pads- Always our first choice and what we run

Plus $50 off this month at EAS for both front and rears

http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...-pads-1-series

[dcaron9999]

I bought Cool Carbons looking for an upgraded and more robust pad than OEM, for street and track use. That was a mistake! Im getting less bite on the street, and shudder/vibration on the track when they get too hot. They probably transfer too much heat to my rotors. I never experienced this on the track with stock pads, and will probably go back to them, as Im allergic to noisy race pads in my daily driver... I dont mind dust and I want consistency across the temperature range ...