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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum rotors and pads share your experience...
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      11-13-2018, 12:28 PM   #1
xxpanipuri
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rotors and pads share your experience...

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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      11-13-2018, 02:54 PM   #2
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I was getting a very strong front end vibration when on the OEM rotors and pads. When it was time to change, went with Akebono rotors and pads and no more vibration. But the damn brake dust is back...
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      11-13-2018, 03:10 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigKutta View Post
I was getting a very strong front end vibration when on the OEM rotors and pads. When it was time to change, went with Akebono rotors and pads and no more vibration. But the damn brake dust is back...
Do you change your sensors after every brake pads replacement ?
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      11-13-2018, 05:42 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonobro View Post
Do you change your sensors after every brake pads replacement ?
i always do that. sensors are cheap....new pads = new sensors...
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      11-13-2018, 06:16 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xxpanipuri View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jonobro View Post
Do you change your sensors after every brake pads replacement ?
i always do that. sensors are cheap....new pads = new sensors...
what tools do you use to make job easier ?
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      11-14-2018, 09:05 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonobro View Post
Do you change your sensors after every brake pads replacement ?
Yes, I believe so. I dont change them myself, have mechanic do it
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      11-14-2018, 09:52 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xxpanipuri View Post
i always do that. sensors are cheap....new pads = new sensors...
IMO unnecessary if sensor is not damaged do not replace it even if it cost single penny.
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      11-14-2018, 10:22 AM   #8
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I went with OEM pads that came with the senor from the local auto part store. The rotors were actually good enough to get resurfaced so did that. Didn't take too long:
https://f10.5post.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=244

Quote:
Originally Posted by jonobro View Post
what tools do you use to make job easier ?
You'll need a torque wrench, regular wrench with a variety of sockets, brake cleaner, screwdriver, hammer and jacks.
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      11-14-2018, 10:48 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EL Jeffe 5 View Post
IMO unnecessary if sensor is not damaged do not replace it even if it cost single penny.
yea but for a $12 part...when you're already removing it during the brake job (whether you or your mechanic do it) is cheap insurance
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      11-14-2018, 11:24 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xxpanipuri View Post
yea but for a $12 part...when you're already removing it during the brake job (whether you or your mechanic do it) is cheap insurance
Depends how you look at it in that case you should replace all of your bolts
torque everything to spec Flush fluid and buy EOM pads, rotors.

in my life time all the brake jobs I did on many different cars and Motorcycles. Its all commonsense don't over tighten or don't just finger tighten.
I can tell you I never used Torque wrench, EOM pads or rotors I did replace one of the sensors back in 2005 on my 2002 323i
it got damaged.

thanks God Bless
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      11-14-2018, 11:28 AM   #11
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I used Zimmerman Rotors Coat-Z and OEM Pads for the Front. I had to replaced front rotors as they had too much groove but doing it at 100k on original is just great. I like is so far. I did replace the sensor even though it was in very good condition.
I used OEM Pads for the Rear but left original rotors, as they were in very good condition at 60k. I did replace the sensor even though it was in very good condition. I will be using Zimmerman Rotors, Coat-Z when time comes to replace rotors on the next brake job, at around 120k or so.
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      11-14-2018, 12:05 PM   #12
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If you didn't get the brake pad warning...then the sensor is still "intact". Yes, you could change it, but if you are changing your brake pads BEFORE the warning appeared...then you'd be throwing away a perfectly intact brake pad sensor that can still be used.

And if you did reuse it because you replaced your brake pads prior to receiving the warning...there will be enough material on the new brake pads for thousands of more miles before the pad get's thin enough again to start wearing down to where the sensor would make contact and wear down to trigger the warning.

Just a thought.
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      11-14-2018, 04:51 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
If you didn't get the brake pad warning...then the sensor is still "intact". Yes, you could change it, but if you are changing your brake pads BEFORE the warning appeared...then you'd be throwing away a perfectly intact brake pad sensor that can still be used.

And if you did reuse it because you replaced your brake pads prior to receiving the warning...there will be enough material on the new brake pads for thousands of more miles before the pad get's thin enough again to start wearing down to where the sensor would make contact and wear down to trigger the warning.

Just a thought.
I had about 2k before the sensor corrupted and needed to be replaced on my old pads, but I agree, if you get to it before this happens you're good. Why waste money??
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      11-16-2018, 12:37 AM   #14
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Get your brakes from FCP Euro https://www.fcpeuro.com . They have LIFETIME replacement on everything they sell even wear and tear. They have oem and zimmerman brakes.
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      11-16-2018, 11:22 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunnyc123abc View Post
Get your brakes from FCP Euro https://www.fcpeuro.com . They have LIFETIME replacement on everything they sell even wear and tear. They have oem and zimmerman brakes.
Find it "too good to be true" that they have lifetime warranty on brakes? wonder if anyone has taken advantage of this...
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      11-16-2018, 06:33 PM   #16
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it does sound too good to be true, but its true haha.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee
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      11-18-2018, 07:19 PM   #17
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I can attest that it is legit. I have used it and i even applies to things you don't end up liking. Great great company
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      11-20-2018, 10:41 AM   #18
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I also researched FCP's return policy. They will even take back used oil & filter if you bought it from them. They have a video on how to pack it to ship back.

What I don't know is how much it would cost to ship oil & filter back. May make it a waste of time
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      11-20-2018, 12:09 PM   #19
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As for pads, I’ve used Akebono on a previous BMW (2006 325i) and just recently changed to Akebono on my current f10. Previously I noticed much less dust and they seemed like decent pads for spirited street driving. Time will tell with the change in the current vehicle. I’ve also never replaced wear sensor, always reused old ones if undamaged.
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      11-20-2018, 12:51 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xxpanipuri View Post
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!
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.
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      11-20-2018, 05:15 PM   #21
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I fitted Brembo OEM equivalent (discs and pads). Same BMW feel to the pedal and braking performance.
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      11-21-2018, 04:45 PM   #22
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ended up sticking up to OEM pads/rotors for my rear brakes...(fronts are still good)

i've used aftermarket pads in my last bmw and always had minimal brake dust but increased noise and less initial bite...thanks for everyone's input.
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