[JayFan]

Have an 11' 535i, x drive, and it's coming due for pads and rotors. Just wondering if anyone uses aftermarket pads and rotors. Obviously, quite a large difference between OEM and aftermarket. Just wondering if anyone has had good results with aftermarket, basic parts......non racing/high performance upgrade stuff.

[Mr Clean]

Hey Jay,

I haven't used aftermarket since the price of OEM was too good to pass on. I replaced rear brake pads with Genuine BMW pads from FCP Euro (I highly recommend them - the company) and havent looked back since. Suprosigly, these pads do not dust much at all and the fact that I still have the OEM equipment makes me feel secure in my choice.


The following are from FCP Euro and are "Genuine BMW"

Rear Pads: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ar-34216862202

Front Pads: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...nt-34116850886

The following are from Pelican Parts and are Zimmerman "Z-coated' rotors which is a high quality manufacturer and OEM to brands such as BMW and porsche ect.

Front Rotors: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg2.htm#item5

Rear Rotors: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg2.htm#item5

Rotor retain screws (4): http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...BRKPAD_pg2.htm

"BOWA" sensors:
#1)http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...BRKPAD_pg1.htm
#2)http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...BRKPAD_pg1.htm


Total out the door in parts:



Front Rotors: $91.25 (x2) - $182.50
Rear Rotors: $74.25 (x2) - $148.50
Front Pads:$111.99 - $111.99
Rear Pads:$77.99 - $77.99
FL sensor:$18.75 - $18.75
RR sensor:$19.25 - $19.25

SubTotal : $558.98



If you supplement the pads with Textar (which is listed as an OEM manufacturer to BMW on pelicanparts.com) instead of "genuine BMW" parts this will be your revised cost:

Front Rotors: $91.25 (x2) - $182.50
Rear Rotors: $74.25 (x2) - $148.50
Front Pads:$ 54.75 - $54.75
Rear Pads:$58.75 - $58.75
FL sensor:$18.75 - $18.75
RR sensor:$19.25 - $19.25

SubTotal : $482.50 (Represents a savings of $76.48)

Factor in the shipping costs to get your "total" cost.

I have heard good things about akebono as far as reducing dust significantly, but less initial or cold bite. I had these pads on my previous car along with hawks (too aggressive for my liking). Good luck with your choice. What are you looking for in your brake set up ? Performance, less dust, economy, a mixture of both?

[JayFan]

Thanks Clean for all that info....... very helpful. If the savings is only roughly $75 bucks.....I'll probably opt for the genuine BMW stuff.

I'd REALLY like to go with slotted and drilled rotors.....but the car is coming up on 90K and I just don't think we'll have it that long to make the investment worth it.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by JayFan

Thanks Clean for all that info....... very helpful. If the savings is only roughly $75 bucks.....I'll probably opt for the genuine BMW stuff.

I'd REALLY like to go with slotted and drilled rotors.....but the car is coming up on 90K and I just don't think we'll have it that long to make the investment worth it.

+1 on the cross drilled/slotted rotors. I would do it just for the aesthetic especially when you're running HRE's, BC Forged or Advan1's, ect...It just compliments the whole wheel combo

[zzzbullseye]

I used a combination of Centric rotors (with a coated hub), and EBC Redstuff ceramic pads. I grabbed the rotors from PartsGeek and the pads from Amazon. Spent about $720 total. Did the change out back in May and am pleased with the results. This is the first time using the EBC Redstuff pads on a BMW, although I've put sets on both of the Minis my wife has driven and had good results.

[lsturbointeg]

Nice...but they're not slotted or drilled? U mentioned u changed them out did u do it ur self or had the dealer? I've read threads where the back can't be done because u need a special tool or a program to disengage the e-brake?

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

Nice...but they're not slotted or drilled? U mentioned u changed them out did u do it ur self or had the dealer? I've read threads where the back can't be done because u need a special tool or a program to disengage the e-brake?

No slots or holes...I didn't wanna spring for the extra $$, since I'll likely be trading when my CPO coverage runs out next summer anyway.

I did the swap myself. There's a thread on this forum (Brake pad renewal experience) where folks have debunked the myth that the brakes can only be changed out by the dealer using special tools and secret spells. You can check out my post on this thread where I shared some pictures of the rear pad replacement process. This is the area of most concern because of the relatively new/unknown procedure of resetting the electronic parking brake (EMF actuator). If you've done brake jobs in the past, or heck, even if you haven't but have a modicum of mechanical ability, you should be able to knock the pad/rotor swap out with no issues.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by zzzbullseye

No slots or holes...I didn't wanna spring for the extra $$, since I'll likely be trading when my CPO coverage runs out next summer anyway.

I did the swap myself. There's a thread on this forum (Brake pad renewal experience) where folks have debunked the myth that the brakes can only be changed out by the dealer using special tools and secret spells. You can check out my post on this thread where I shared some pictures of the rear pad replacement process. This is the area of most concern because of the relatively new/unknown procedure of resetting the electronic parking brake (EMF actuator). If you've done brake jobs in the past, or heck, even if you haven't but have a modicum of mechanical ability, you should be able to knock the pad/rotor swap out with no issues.

I've done the brakes on all my cars but when I heard the e-brake issue I never really tried. I would probably give it a try since u said it can be done without going to the dealer. I'll read that thread link u posted... Thanks!

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

I've done the brakes on all my cars but when I heard the e-brake issue I never really tried. I would probably give it a try since u said it can be done without going to the dealer. I'll read that thread link u posted... Thanks!

No problem. If you've done brake jobs before, you won't have an issue. The meat of the EMF actuator reset how-to in the referenced thread starts on post #24 - lots of good info follows from there.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by zzzbullseye

No problem. If you've done brake jobs before, you won't have an issue. The meat of the EMF actuator reset how-to in the referenced thread starts on post #24 - lots of good info follows from there.

Awesome possum! Thanks for all the great info! Encourages me to go ahead and do it

[JayFan]

Leaning towards the Zimmerman rotors, with BMW pads. Anyone have any opinions, or have you personally used the Zimmerman rotors. Z coated rotors are around $100 per rotor, while the BMW rotors goes for roughly $250! Besides the little "BMW" stamping is there any difference??????

[08msportx3]

I hear CENTRIC HIGH CARBON rotors mated with EURO AKEBONO pads are an awesome setup