What brakes, pads and rotors to use for daily driver 535i xdrive

neverdone · 10-13-2018, 05:46 PM

Like the title, I was looking at rock auto, unsure of what to get, first time changing brakes on this car. Should I do any sort of upgraded brakes without going big brake conversion...

ey2001 · 10-13-2018, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neverdone

Like the title, I was looking at rock auto, unsure of what to get, first time changing brakes on this car. Should I do any sort of upgraded brakes without going big brake conversion...

Stick with oem.... I tried hawk and akebono.. the initial bite is not the same as oem

neverdone · 10-13-2018, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ey2001

Stick with oem.... I tried hawk and akebono.. the initial bite is not the same as oem

What about rotors? Why would I want drilled/slotted?

ezaircon4jc · 10-13-2018, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neverdone

What about rotors? Why would I want drilled/slotted?

Looks...

neverdone · 10-13-2018, 07:36 PM

Lame. Well where do you guys get your parts from?

socale39 · 10-13-2018, 08:31 PM

Don’t buy drilled or slotted rotors. They are noisier and eat pads faster. Still with Zimmerman rotors and either Pagid or Textar pads.

anthonygan · 10-14-2018, 06:05 PM

I would get EBC pads and rotors!! They are great and have lots of stopping power!

Pito11213 · 10-14-2018, 07:51 PM

I just installed OEM rotors and pads. New brakes feel awesome. I'd say stay OEM.

07e92 · 10-16-2018, 11:28 PM

akebono for less noise, long lasting life, and super low brake dust

rkarl535 · 11-02-2018, 04:13 PM

I did mine for the first time a couple weeks ago and bought from FCP Euro. I have had the brakes and rotors replaced 2 x's prior with all BMW parts. I never liked the riveted center hub on BMW rotors and they seemed to have issues like many others with warping. As BMW states it, I am a spirited driver.

I changed and went with Zimmermann rotors(Plain NOT slotted/drilled) and Akebono ceramic pads. It has been 3 weeks and I am VERY pleased with the performance thus far. The stopping power is just as good if not better and the rotors are a bit heavier. Her his the kit part # for reference:

Brake Kit - 34116775277KTF1
Rotors, Pads, Sensor, brake grease

The drilled and slotted have mixed reviews but overall for a daily driver standard rotors are good. The drilled/slotted do look nice, however, they wear pads faster and don't offer much benefit.

There is no need to stay with the OEM for these parts and you will find it very easy to change. Good luck!

sesh1957 · 11-04-2018, 11:20 AM

FPC Euro has the Zimmermann/Akebono stock kits, front and rear for about $500, the oem mfg, or the Powerstop kit is a little less, drilled/slotted/ceramic, K6023 on Amazon for $431. I have used the powerstop on a gs lexus, loved them and have the kit in the garage for my 535xi when I have time. Got BMW blue caliper paint as well. Can't wait to get it done. Maybe get some black wheels as well.

neverdone · 11-12-2018, 10:51 AM

Well I guess I didnt update the thread. There was actually a story to go along with changing the brakes...

I was driving one day and there was a bad squealing when I was stopping coming from the passenger side. I'd just changed to winters so I thought, maybe it was the dust shield.

Pulled over and checked, pushed back the DS and checked again, no luck. When i got home, i took the wheels off, DS was fine, looked in the caliper window and the pads were crumbling apart, like wtf.

I only bought the car 4 months prior to the post from BMW and I could have sworn that the check they did stated I had lots of life left, so I looked at it and sure enough, it said they had 8mm left, not the case.

I came in here asking about brakes and ended up ordering them...then, afterthought. Called BMW told them what I found and brought it in to see what they would say...next thing I know, I get a call from BMW " we are replacing all front rotors, pads and sensors free of charge" . Obviously without admitting it, admitted wrong by doing this....super happy with that, however, I'm now out $200 because I jumped the gun on buying brake parts.

TL;DR
BMW replaced my brakes for free lol on my 2014 535.

sesh1957 · 01-02-2019, 07:04 PM

I put the power stops from Amazon, $485 on mine this weekend. I have now had these on a Lexus GS and Passat TDI, they have been smoother and had better-stopping power in all three cars, wet braking improves as well. My wife noticed the difference in the GS! Could not resist the caliper paint from Walmart, one can made it, $5 or so.

wcr3d · 01-04-2019, 04:24 AM

Stick with OE parts.
If you purchased CPO then yes they check and probably why they replaced them.
Also they just measure, 8mm thickness can crumble under the right circumstances.
Glad they took care of you.

sesh1957 · 01-04-2019, 04:14 PM

You can pay for OE, I would buy the OEM who sells to BMW if I were to go stock, check out FPC Euro for both. These are the same dimensions as the OE I took off. What 8mm dimension circumstances are you referring to?

lap100 · 01-17-2019, 10:13 AM

Hey everyone. First time poster, long time admirer. I'm due for full brake replacement on my 2016 535xi with 70K KM . I'm getting strong vibration now when pushing the brakes which means my rotors are warped.

Spent a longtime trying to research what's the best combination. I'm pretty much set my mind now on Zimmerman rotors, but now am not quite set on which Pads?

Researching made me conclude that Pagid and/or Textar are closest things to OEM for bite force & quality. Is that true? And is there something as good as OEM pads bite force which result in less dust?

2016 535xi Mkit, carbon black MPPK & BMS+

TEF · 01-17-2019, 01:56 PM

It's unclear why one supplier's cast iron disk would be any better (or worse) than what is marketed by BMW as OE rotors. Assuming reasonable quality assurance, why would a Centric brand rotor be inferior to, say, a Zimmerman? Pads can differ greatly depending on friction material used, but most will not just fall apart in use. Currently, my '16 X3 with only 30K miles has a warped rotor(s) and those as directly from BMW since I bought the car new. How would another brand of rotor perform any worse?

Relative to rotors sold by Rock Auto, it's hard to understand why some are sold as "daily drivers" and others in the performance section. When looking at the photos the only distinction might be an anti-rust coating that doubles or triples the price. If one intends to do their own work, I would go with a middle-priced pads and rotors and take a chance.

ezaircon4jc · 01-17-2019, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lap100

Hey everyone. First time poster, long time admirer. I'm due for full brake replacement on my 2016 535xi with 70K KM . I'm getting strong vibration now when pushing the brakes which means my rotors are warped.

Spent a longtime trying to research what's the best combination. I'm pretty much set my mind now on Zimmerman rotors, but now am not quite set on which Pads?

Researching made me conclude that Pagid and/or Textar are closest things to OEM for bite force & quality. Is that true? And is there something as good as OEM pads bite force which result in less dust?

2016 535xi Mkit, carbon black MPPK & BMS+

I've replaced many, many a brake/rotor over the years. I've spent more money on aftermarket brake parts than I can count. In my experience the best (for dust and performance) aftermarket pads were Raybestos QuietStop. I had Porterfield's once but they dusted just looking at them and they needed quite a bit of heat work. Initial bite was severely lacking, but when they did grab it felt like I would be thrown through the windshield!
For the rotors I would stick with OEM.

From my experience, OEM is the way to go. It's not like the "old days" when the aftermarket produced much better parts that the OEM. Now days I would trust the OEM shocks before a Monroe shock.

sesh1957 · 01-18-2019, 03:36 PM

I agree with TEF, as my car has warped OE rotor twice. Aftermarket needs to match dimensionally with the calipers. I have put Powerstop on my Lexus GS, VW Passat, and 535xi, they feel better on all vehicles and have no issues and reduced brake dust. This issue with rotating part weight is insignificant, don't know why BWM did an AL/cast iron disc?

lap100 · 01-21-2019, 10:15 AM

Thanks for the tips. Seems like a objective opinion about this based on a persons personal taste in brake feel. Is there any real world benfit with weekend spirited driving - to go for Sllotted/Drilled rotors? Stay Powerstop or Stoptech?

sesh1957 · 01-21-2019, 01:55 PM

FPC Euro, BMW Brake kit is $893, Zimmermann/Akebono $511, PowerStop $485 (Amazon Prime) 449 Rockauto, Stoptech $800?

The stoptech did not seem to have the hardware, I picked the Powerstop as the best value.

My other upgrades are similar, Burger stage one and an Airaid 700-469 Universal Clamp-On Air Filter, fits easily with a 3" 30 degree AL tube. Next is muffler replacement with glass packs. I guess I am on the cheap side.

lap100 · 01-23-2019, 09:16 AM

done.

10-13-2018, 05:46 PM	#1
neverdone Major 327 Rep 1,397 Posts Drives: X5, 335, Ford Lightning, 63 me Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: calgary iTrader: (0)	What brakes, pads and rotors to use for daily driver 535i xdrive Like the title, I was looking at rock auto, unsure of what to get, first time changing brakes on this car. Should I do any sort of upgraded brakes without going big brake conversion...
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10-13-2018, 07:36 PM	#5
neverdone Major 327 Rep 1,397 Posts Drives: X5, 335, Ford Lightning, 63 me Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: calgary iTrader: (0)	Lame. Well where do you guys get your parts from?
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10-13-2018, 08:31 PM	#6
socale39 Major 209 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: 04 545i SMG Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Don’t buy drilled or slotted rotors. They are noisier and eat pads faster. Still with Zimmerman rotors and either Pagid or Textar pads.
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10-14-2018, 06:05 PM	#7
anthonygan Enlisted Member 6 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 535i XDrive Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	I would get EBC pads and rotors!! They are great and have lots of stopping power!
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10-14-2018, 07:51 PM	#8
Pito11213 Private 8 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2013 alpine white 528 xdrive Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Va iTrader: (2)	I just installed OEM rotors and pads. New brakes feel awesome. I'd say stay OEM.
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10-16-2018, 11:28 PM	#9
07e92 First Lieutenant 121 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 07 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: N CAL iTrader: (3)	akebono for less noise, long lasting life, and super low brake dust
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11-02-2018, 04:13 PM	#10
rkarl535 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 535i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: WI iTrader: (0)	I did mine for the first time a couple weeks ago and bought from FCP Euro. I have had the brakes and rotors replaced 2 x's prior with all BMW parts. I never liked the riveted center hub on BMW rotors and they seemed to have issues like many others with warping. As BMW states it, I am a spirited driver. I changed and went with Zimmermann rotors(Plain NOT slotted/drilled) and Akebono ceramic pads. It has been 3 weeks and I am VERY pleased with the performance thus far. The stopping power is just as good if not better and the rotors are a bit heavier. Her his the kit part # for reference: Brake Kit - 34116775277KTF1 Rotors, Pads, Sensor, brake grease The drilled and slotted have mixed reviews but overall for a daily driver standard rotors are good. The drilled/slotted do look nice, however, they wear pads faster and don't offer much benefit. There is no need to stay with the OEM for these parts and you will find it very easy to change. Good luck!
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11-04-2018, 11:20 AM	#11
sesh1957 Private First Class 34 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2012 535i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Haven, CT iTrader: (0)	FPC Euro has the Zimmermann/Akebono stock kits, front and rear for about $500, the oem mfg, or the Powerstop kit is a little less, drilled/slotted/ceramic, K6023 on Amazon for $431. I have used the powerstop on a gs lexus, loved them and have the kit in the garage for my 535xi when I have time. Got BMW blue caliper paint as well. Can't wait to get it done. Maybe get some black wheels as well.
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11-12-2018, 10:51 AM	#12
neverdone Major 327 Rep 1,397 Posts Drives: X5, 335, Ford Lightning, 63 me Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: calgary iTrader: (0)	Well I guess I didnt update the thread. There was actually a story to go along with changing the brakes... I was driving one day and there was a bad squealing when I was stopping coming from the passenger side. I'd just changed to winters so I thought, maybe it was the dust shield. Pulled over and checked, pushed back the DS and checked again, no luck. When i got home, i took the wheels off, DS was fine, looked in the caliper window and the pads were crumbling apart, like wtf. I only bought the car 4 months prior to the post from BMW and I could have sworn that the check they did stated I had lots of life left, so I looked at it and sure enough, it said they had 8mm left, not the case. I came in here asking about brakes and ended up ordering them...then, afterthought. Called BMW told them what I found and brought it in to see what they would say...next thing I know, I get a call from BMW " we are replacing all front rotors, pads and sensors free of charge" . Obviously without admitting it, admitted wrong by doing this....super happy with that, however, I'm now out $200 because I jumped the gun on buying brake parts. TL;DR BMW replaced my brakes for free lol on my 2014 535.
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01-02-2019, 07:04 PM	#13
sesh1957 Private First Class 34 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2012 535i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Haven, CT iTrader: (0)	I put the power stops from Amazon, $485 on mine this weekend. I have now had these on a Lexus GS and Passat TDI, they have been smoother and had better-stopping power in all three cars, wet braking improves as well. My wife noticed the difference in the GS! Could not resist the caliper paint from Walmart, one can made it, $5 or so. Attached Images
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01-04-2019, 04:24 AM	#14
wcr3d Captain 461 Rep 659 Posts Drives: 2013 535i XDrive M Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	Stick with OE parts. If you purchased CPO then yes they check and probably why they replaced them. Also they just measure, 8mm thickness can crumble under the right circumstances. Glad they took care of you.
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01-04-2019, 04:14 PM	#15
sesh1957 Private First Class 34 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2012 535i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Haven, CT iTrader: (0)	You can pay for OE, I would buy the OEM who sells to BMW if I were to go stock, check out FPC Euro for both. These are the same dimensions as the OE I took off. What 8mm dimension circumstances are you referring to?
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01-17-2019, 10:13 AM	#16
lap100 Banned 9 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 535xi Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Hey everyone. First time poster, long time admirer. I'm due for full brake replacement on my 2016 535xi with 70K KM . I'm getting strong vibration now when pushing the brakes which means my rotors are warped. Spent a longtime trying to research what's the best combination. I'm pretty much set my mind now on Zimmerman rotors, but now am not quite set on which Pads? Researching made me conclude that Pagid and/or Textar are closest things to OEM for bite force & quality. Is that true? And is there something as good as OEM pads bite force which result in less dust? 2016 535xi Mkit, carbon black MPPK & BMS+
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01-17-2019, 01:56 PM	#17
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]	It's unclear why one supplier's cast iron disk would be any better (or worse) than what is marketed by BMW as OE rotors. Assuming reasonable quality assurance, why would a Centric brand rotor be inferior to, say, a Zimmerman? Pads can differ greatly depending on friction material used, but most will not just fall apart in use. Currently, my '16 X3 with only 30K miles has a warped rotor(s) and those as directly from BMW since I bought the car new. How would another brand of rotor perform any worse? Relative to rotors sold by Rock Auto, it's hard to understand why some are sold as "daily drivers" and others in the performance section. When looking at the photos the only distinction might be an anti-rust coating that doubles or triples the price. If one intends to do their own work, I would go with a middle-priced pads and rotors and take a chance.
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01-18-2019, 03:36 PM	#19
sesh1957 Private First Class 34 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2012 535i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Haven, CT iTrader: (0)	I agree with TEF, as my car has warped OE rotor twice. Aftermarket needs to match dimensionally with the calipers. I have put Powerstop on my Lexus GS, VW Passat, and 535xi, they feel better on all vehicles and have no issues and reduced brake dust. This issue with rotating part weight is insignificant, don't know why BWM did an AL/cast iron disc?
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01-21-2019, 10:15 AM	#20
lap100 Banned 9 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 535xi Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the tips. Seems like a objective opinion about this based on a persons personal taste in brake feel. Is there any real world benfit with weekend spirited driving - to go for Sllotted/Drilled rotors? Stay Powerstop or Stoptech?
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01-21-2019, 01:55 PM	#21
sesh1957 Private First Class 34 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2012 535i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Haven, CT iTrader: (0)	FPC Euro, BMW Brake kit is $893, Zimmermann/Akebono $511, PowerStop $485 (Amazon Prime) 449 Rockauto, Stoptech $800? The stoptech did not seem to have the hardware, I picked the Powerstop as the best value. My other upgrades are similar, Burger stage one and an Airaid 700-469 Universal Clamp-On Air Filter, fits easily with a 3" 30 degree AL tube. Next is muffler replacement with glass packs. I guess I am on the cheap side.
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01-23-2019, 09:16 AM	#22
lap100 Banned 9 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 535xi Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	done. Last edited by lap100; 01-25-2019 at 11:16 PM..
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