What material are original bmw brake pads?

top ramen · 09-08-2019, 10:08 AM

Needing to replace my brake pads. One website says ceramic the other says semi-metallic, which one is right? Any suggestions on which brand or pad material would be good. Thanks

ezaircon4jc · 09-08-2019, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by top ramen

Needing to replace my brake pads. One website says ceramic the other says semi-metallic, which one is right? Any suggestions on which brand or pad material would be good. Thanks

Ceramic is good for low dust and noise, but I'm told they are harder on the rotors. I had ceramic pads on my last car and didn't notice any excessive rotor wear. Akebono seems to be a favorite amongst DIYers.

Frick · 09-08-2019, 03:12 PM

Heard BMW made the switch to ceramic on F10 due to dust and noise complaints. For 528 for sure they are ceramic as I recently replaced with semi metallic and they bite alot harder now compared to OEM ceramic pads but also now theres brake dust.

top ramen · 09-08-2019, 11:31 PM

ezaircon4jz- did you go with akebono when you replaced yours? Did you feel any difference in braking performance or pedal feel?

Frick- did you hear a lot of brake noise with semi-metallic pad. What brand did you go with?

Bonawitz07 · 09-09-2019, 02:59 PM

I actually had the opposite experience of Frick, although mine is a 2015. My originals were semi-metallic and I switched to the Akebono ceramic pads with Zimmerman coated rotors. I have experienced a very slight decrease in initial bite compared to the stock metallics but nothing major. Braking was quiet before and has remained quiet. Very low dust, almost non-existent.

ezaircon4jc · 09-09-2019, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by top ramen

ezaircon4jz- did you go with akebono when you replaced yours? Did you feel any difference in braking performance or pedal ...

The last brake job I did was quite a while and 3 cars ago. I used a ceramic pad; Duralast Gold Ceramic. They preformed better than the impressive factory pads without the dusting. One of the best set of pads I had were Porterfield. They dusted quite a bit and the 1st 15' or so braking was a bit weak but after that it felt like you threw out an anchor!

Were I to do the brakes I would most likely use the Akebono pads as they get such good reviews among various manufacturers.

TEF · 09-09-2019, 09:13 PM

My new 2016 535d came semi metallic brake pads. However, as recommended by the majority of postings, go with ceramic pads. Aside from less dusting, they are far easier on rotors (the expensive component of a brake job). While commonly claimed that semi metallic pads have better initial bite, having changed to ceramics, I would dispute that.

top ramen · 09-09-2019, 10:12 PM

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I went with a brand called textar from fcp euro. They listed it as am OE product so I'm thinking they are ceramic pads. Anyone used that brand yet? I went with fcp euro because if their life warranty.

Frick · 09-10-2019, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by top ramen

ezaircon4jz- did you go with akebono when you replaced yours? Did you feel any difference in braking performance or pedal feel?

Frick- did you hear a lot of brake noise with semi-metallic pad. What brand did you go with?

sorry for the late reply didnt login until now...
originally replaced the pads and went with OEM which in my case were ceramic pads. Hated the bite, loved the no dust. Researched and ended up swapping the pads again but with ATE branded "GF"rated pads which are semi-metallic. Still newly installed with under 5k miles but no noise at all but the braking has greatly improved on my vehicle with these pads to where I finally feel confident in these brakes.

Breach · 09-19-2019, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by top ramen

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I went with a brand called textar from fcp euro. They listed it as am OE product so I'm thinking they are ceramic pads. Anyone used that brand yet? I went with fcp euro because if their life warranty.

Yes, Textar is probably not the most famous, but is a pretty popular and respected brand in Europe. If they are "epads" they are ceramic. I'm quite happy with them, brake dist is like 10% of the OEMs.

Surly73 · 09-19-2019, 05:47 PM

I would be interested in some citations for Frick's statements that "for the F10 BMW switched to ceramic".

I've been observing for years that my F10 has way less dust than any previous German car so it makes sense, but no one along the way has ever come up with a document or part numbers confirming it.

I'm curious...

BrandBMW · 09-19-2019, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frick

sorry for the late reply didnt login until now...
originally replaced the pads and went with OEM which in my case were ceramic pads. Hated the bite, loved the no dust. Researched and ended up swapping the pads again but with ATE branded "GG" rated pads which are semi-metallic. Still newly installed with under 5k miles but no noise at all but the braking has greatly improved on my vehicle with these pads to where I finally feel confident in these brakes.

Do you have an update on the dust of the ATE pads?

Frick · 09-21-2019, 09:34 AM

Mine is a 2014 528 xdrive. Non high speed brake option. I researched some time online on various BMW forums and seen multiple posts of members state their pads were ceramic. I dont have anything from BMW stating that but if I find it I will post it.

-brake dust - compared to my oem pads its a big difference. I previously had a n54 335 sport package, b6 S4, and currently drive a B8.5 S4 so the heavy brake dust and aggressive braking is what Im used to and dont mind it too much.

Now between my OEM and ATE metallic, the dust is a huge difference but so is the high speed braking at least for me. Because I was testing the metallic pads I never swapped the rear OE pads. I have washed my wheels around 2 weeks ago and the rears still look clean and the fronts look very dirty lol. Again fronts do more braking but there is for sure a considerable difference in dust. Just have to go with what you prefer. Dust is also darker in color compared to oe pads which were lighter and not as visible.

Surly73 · 09-21-2019, 11:29 AM

On my F10, I have always found the initial cold "bite" OK - i.e. those first couple of stop signs on a commuting drive, cold engine, nothing aggressive.

What I don't like is that brake torque does not increase with pedal pressure as quickly as I'd like, compared to every other German car I've owned/driven. I've found that 5 series in general have "soft" brakes compared to, say, 3s and I'm 95% certain it's just design philosophy. Every control input on a 5 is soft, smooth, long throw, and luxury compared to a 3, and I expect the 7 is even more so. Why would the brakes be any different? E39s had soft brakes compared to E46s and E90s too. (but not compared to Toyota Siennas)

So, I'm at a point where I would consider trading dust for more confident stopping. Too bad I already ordered OEM fronts. We'll see if those Pagids are ceramic, semi-metallic or organic I guess.

Before going German I had one stint with PBR/Axxis/Repco Metal Masters installed on the fronts of an Acura. No more brake fade, and really great braking when you got to the 4th or 5th hard stop, but the first couple of stops of the day were not very good.

ashmailusa · 12-21-2020, 03:19 AM

Can't decide on which pads to switch to.
My current factory pads seem to be Textar. I would call it low dust.
I am not ready to go with lower cold bite though. I wish I know if the stock is ceramic, so I can decide if I should go with epads vs regular textars...

Surly73 · 12-21-2020, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmailusa

Can't decide on which pads to switch to.
My current factory pads seem to be Textar. I would call it low dust.
I am not ready to go with lower cold bite though. I wish I know if the stock is ceramic, so I can decide if I should go with epads vs regular textars...

I'm pretty certain that stock is ceramic. The Pagid pads I got for my fronts dust (and bite) more than what came from the factory. I was, however, unable to determine a way from the ratings or part numbers to tell for certain was was "new OE" (i.e. ceramic) versus "old OE" (dusty as heck) before ordering.

Take a look at the temperature/friction ratings, they'll look like EE, FF, GG, FG etc...) They give some insight into the temperature and friction properties, although it's quite approximate.

https://idpartsblog.com/2019/04/11/w...-ratings-mean/

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/disc...des-explained/

socale39 · 12-23-2020, 10:32 PM

I’ve been a fan of the Textar ePad for some time now. Good initial bite, low dust and rather quiet. I did a thorough write up on them when I had my X5 35d and was towing often. Overall very good pad.

09-08-2019, 10:08 AM	#1
top ramen First Lieutenant 114 Rep 305 Posts Drives: Schwarz II 535i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	What material are original bmw brake pads? Needing to replace my brake pads. One website says ceramic the other says semi-metallic, which one is right? Any suggestions on which brand or pad material would be good. Thanks
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09-08-2019, 03:12 PM	#3
Frick New Member 3 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 14 528 Xdrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Heard BMW made the switch to ceramic on F10 due to dust and noise complaints. For 528 for sure they are ceramic as I recently replaced with semi metallic and they bite alot harder now compared to OEM ceramic pads but also now theres brake dust.
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09-08-2019, 11:31 PM	#4
top ramen First Lieutenant 114 Rep 305 Posts Drives: Schwarz II 535i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	ezaircon4jz- did you go with akebono when you replaced yours? Did you feel any difference in braking performance or pedal feel? Frick- did you hear a lot of brake noise with semi-metallic pad. What brand did you go with?
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09-09-2019, 02:59 PM	#5
Bonawitz07 New Member 9 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2015 528i xDrive Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	I actually had the opposite experience of Frick, although mine is a 2015. My originals were semi-metallic and I switched to the Akebono ceramic pads with Zimmerman coated rotors. I have experienced a very slight decrease in initial bite compared to the stock metallics but nothing major. Braking was quiet before and has remained quiet. Very low dust, almost non-existent.
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09-09-2019, 09:13 PM	#7
TEF First Lieutenant 109 Rep 374 Posts Drives: 16 X3 28d/18 540d xdrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Western PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2016 X3 28d [0.00]	My new 2016 535d came semi metallic brake pads. However, as recommended by the majority of postings, go with ceramic pads. Aside from less dusting, they are far easier on rotors (the expensive component of a brake job). While commonly claimed that semi metallic pads have better initial bite, having changed to ceramics, I would dispute that.
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09-09-2019, 10:12 PM	#8
top ramen First Lieutenant 114 Rep 305 Posts Drives: Schwarz II 535i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the help and suggestions. I went with a brand called textar from fcp euro. They listed it as am OE product so I'm thinking they are ceramic pads. Anyone used that brand yet? I went with fcp euro because if their life warranty.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-19-2019, 05:47 PM	#11
Surly73 Lieutenant Colonel 534 Rep 1,873 Posts Drives: '11 535xi 8AT KWv3 MPE MHD xHP Join Date: May 2012 Location: Oakville, Ontario iTrader: (1)	I would be interested in some citations for Frick's statements that "for the F10 BMW switched to ceramic". I've been observing for years that my F10 has way less dust than any previous German car so it makes sense, but no one along the way has ever come up with a document or part numbers confirming it. I'm curious...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2019, 09:34 AM	#13
Frick New Member 3 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 14 528 Xdrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Mine is a 2014 528 xdrive. Non high speed brake option. I researched some time online on various BMW forums and seen multiple posts of members state their pads were ceramic. I dont have anything from BMW stating that but if I find it I will post it. -brake dust - compared to my oem pads its a big difference. I previously had a n54 335 sport package, b6 S4, and currently drive a B8.5 S4 so the heavy brake dust and aggressive braking is what Im used to and dont mind it too much. Now between my OEM and ATE metallic, the dust is a huge difference but so is the high speed braking at least for me. Because I was testing the metallic pads I never swapped the rear OE pads. I have washed my wheels around 2 weeks ago and the rears still look clean and the fronts look very dirty lol. Again fronts do more braking but there is for sure a considerable difference in dust. Just have to go with what you prefer. Dust is also darker in color compared to oe pads which were lighter and not as visible.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-21-2019, 11:29 AM	#14
Surly73 Lieutenant Colonel 534 Rep 1,873 Posts Drives: '11 535xi 8AT KWv3 MPE MHD xHP Join Date: May 2012 Location: Oakville, Ontario iTrader: (1)	On my F10, I have always found the initial cold "bite" OK - i.e. those first couple of stop signs on a commuting drive, cold engine, nothing aggressive. What I don't like is that brake torque does not increase with pedal pressure as quickly as I'd like, compared to every other German car I've owned/driven. I've found that 5 series in general have "soft" brakes compared to, say, 3s and I'm 95% certain it's just design philosophy. Every control input on a 5 is soft, smooth, long throw, and luxury compared to a 3, and I expect the 7 is even more so. Why would the brakes be any different? E39s had soft brakes compared to E46s and E90s too. (but not compared to Toyota Siennas) So, I'm at a point where I would consider trading dust for more confident stopping. Too bad I already ordered OEM fronts. We'll see if those Pagids are ceramic, semi-metallic or organic I guess. Before going German I had one stint with PBR/Axxis/Repco Metal Masters installed on the fronts of an Acura. No more brake fade, and really great braking when you got to the 4th or 5th hard stop, but the first couple of stops of the day were not very good.
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12-21-2020, 03:19 AM	#15
ashmailusa Enlisted Member 5 Rep 30 Posts Drives: F10 535 Xi Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Can't decide on which pads to switch to. My current factory pads seem to be Textar. I would call it low dust. I am not ready to go with lower cold bite though. I wish I know if the stock is ceramic, so I can decide if I should go with epads vs regular textars...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-23-2020, 10:32 PM	#17
socale39 Major 209 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: 04 545i SMG Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I’ve been a fan of the Textar ePad for some time now. Good initial bite, low dust and rather quiet. I did a thorough write up on them when I had my X5 35d and was towing often. Overall very good pad.
	Appreciate 0 Quote