Question on 135i Rotor/Pad Replacements

[Kendjelic]

Hello Everyone,

So I just recently picked up an 09 135i with 35k miles and have been dealing with some brake squeal at med-low speeds especially when coming to a stop. Needless to say after taking a look at the rotors and pads it seems a full replacement is needed.

That said, I have been looking at parts from ECS and thinking about Zimmermann rotors front and rear and Meyle Ceramic pads or possibly their service kit with the same rotors and Textar pads. Anyone have experience with this setup? I am looking for the best bang for the buck option for street use and a setup that is quiet and has less dust than OEM.

Lastly, are new sensors required? What about the stock backing plates on the pads? Do those need to be moved to the new pads whichever I end up purchasing?

Thank you and sorry for the newbie questions as I am still learning about the car.

[HP Autosport]

Yes, get the new sensors as they are likely have been on the car for a while and can't be saved(sometimes you can save them). Backing plate stays with the old pads, but if there are any shims that aren't on the new pads, you will need to transfer them over.

[Kendjelic]

Thank you for the reply! Any experience with Zimmerman rotors and Meyle ceramic pad combo? Again, appreciate the advice.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Kendjelic

Thank you for the reply! Any experience with Zimmerman rotors and Meyle ceramic pad combo? Again, appreciate the advice.

Can't go wring with Zimmerman rotors, they are OE on many applications. Meyle is not bad and they are not very expensive, but they are not OE. I would stick with ATE, Textar, Pagid or Jurid for pads. I think even Zimmerman offers pads now.

Shoot us a PM with prices and we can try to beat it.

[Stewy_604]

All depends what you're looking for from a replacement brake package (performance, low dust, improved cooling, etc...). I just replaced the brakes on our 1'er, went with ECS 2-pc floating slotted/drilled fronts and ECS slotted/drilled (coated) rears...Carbotech 1521 compound pads front & rear. I'm very happy with the performance, not as harsh of an initial bite as the OE Textar, but excellent in terms of dust and no squealing. We had the same issue with the OE setup, especially as it wore...squealing when coming to a stop using a light-medium brake pedal. The front rotors had a significant lip of material on the outer edge, I was surprised to see how much the rotors had worn after 80k and fairly light/easy use.

[Kendjelic]

Thanks. I actually just purchased R1 Concepts Premier Series blanks with their semi-metallic pads. Couldn't beat the price. Will be installing them as soon as they come in and looking forward to a quiet (hopefully) braking car!

[Stewy_604]

Nice. Keep us posted with your feedback.

[2008135i]

I just installed stoptech slotted rotors and cool carbon pads. Love the stopping power and low dust, but they do make some noise with light brake pressure.

[Kendjelic]

So I installed the new rotors and pads from R1 yesterday. Overall the install went fairly smooth and took about 1 hour per corner (first time install for me). Took the car out after to bed in the brakes and the car doesn't seem to stop as quickly as before but overall the semi-metallic pads from R1 seem to be working great. Good enough for me as the car will never see any track time.

Overall I'm happy with the purchase and so far no brake squeal as I had with the original rotors and pads. I did apply some CRC Disk Brake Quiet to the backing plate of the pads so perhaps that is helping as well.

[bNks334]

Originally Posted by Kendjelic

So I installed the new rotors and pads from R1 yesterday. Overall the install went fairly smooth and took about 1 hour per corner (first time install for me). Took the car out after to bed in the brakes and the car doesn't seem to stop as quickly as before but overall the semi-metallic pads from R1 seem to be working great. Good enough for me as the car will never see any track time.

Overall I'm happy with the purchase and so far no brake squeal as I had with the original rotors and pads. I did apply some CRC Disk Brake Quiet to the backing plate of the pads so perhaps that is helping as well.

I have never ran a pad with as much initial bite as stock pads... I remember stock pads used to put my face through the windshield. The "better" the pad I put on my car the WORSE initial bite becomes. Stock -> Stoptech sport -> PFC-08. Aftermarket pads need heat before they grab...

Stock pads have a pretty good temperature rating too, the problem is they wear out ridiculously quick on a track. the PFC-08 are nice upgrade for track use, but they take a good 130-20mph stop before they even begin to match stock braking coefficient.

[Kendjelic]

Interesting for sure. I liked the stock pads but that brake dust was killer.

[Olgeezer1]

Originally Posted by Kendjelic

Interesting for sure. I liked the stock pads but that brake dust was killer.

Same here. Just got tired of the dust. For a street driven car I'm very happy with the EBC Redstuff pads and OE Performance rotors. Great stops cold or really any street situation, just not a track pad. No noise, no dust.

[Newguy123]

I'm going to try out the RB (Racing Brake) OE replacement 2 pc slotted rotors/pads on the front of my car and will probably make a review thread. They are supposed to shave 12 pounds rotational weight front and have a 2 pc slotted set for the rear for another 10lbs weight savings. So if you get the kit it's stainless lines, motul brake fluid, pads for a full car, and a total of 22lbs savings of unsprung weight. For a price of $1500 and change. Pricy but well worth the rotational weight savings!

http://www.racingbrake.com/RB-Iron-R...bmw-irk-06.htm