Quote:
Originally Posted by xxpanipuri
Anyone care to share your experience on replacing your oem rotors/pads...
have you gone aftermarket? stuck with oem?
Why did you go aftermarket? strictly cost? performance?
my rear pads are up for replacement and am trying to figure out the best route to go.
my main concern is performance, which includes not only braking performance, but also NO chattering/squeaking when braking...
I don't track the car so don't need anything high end...just something as good as oem if not slightly better...
just seeing what others have done...
Thanks!
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Be aware that modern BMW vehicles are equipped with very grippy brake pads.
The initial bite they offer is superb. Tap the brake a little and they grab with immediacy and authority.
Most aftermarket pads have a hard time retaining all of the initial bite of the OEM bmw pads.
Aftermarket pads may offer:
Less dust
Linear feel
Less Fade
Longer Pad life
Increased Rotor Life
But beware any aftermarket pad that says they have initial bite equal to the OEM pads. Most simply just DO NOT. This includes some of the popular pads from HAwk, Ebc, Powerstop, Stoptech, etc.
The Textar ePads do not bite as well either.
Some people don’t like the “grabby” OEM pad feel. Aftermarket pads will dull this quite effectively. But if you value the traditional BMW, ultra responsive pedal feel and response you will be best served by OEM pads.
Also note that BMW pads on one axle and aftermarket pads on the other (front/rear) will change your brake bias too. And that bias, will again vary, as the pad temperatures change. Again, some may not notice, but it’s there.
Your profile says you have a 550i...
To get OEM BMW performance, get OEM pads.
If you want an upgraded pad, you can order M5 rear brake pads for a bit more bite and fade resistance, but with more dust.
The M5 rear pads are a direct fit for the 550i rear. No other parts are needed.
Here, be mindful that M5 front pads don’t fit (without other parts), so you will have stock fronts and M5 rears. This will increase rear bias a bit. I mention the bias because the DSC, ELSD, Traction Control, and Corner Brake Control systems all “expect” and are calibrated for a pad of stock characteristics. Changing the pads slightly effects these systems.
I thought I could live with aftermarket pads, to get less brake dust.
But the reduction in pedal response and initial bite, muted the brakes to an unBMW like state in my opinion. Now I use stock pads, but would love to have an aftermarket pad with OEM bite with the benefits of a high performance pad.
One more thing, if the replacement pad you are looking at is a Ceramic pad, it will almost definitely have a more muted brake feel and response compared to OEM.
I hope this info helps you select a good pad for your particular needs.