The Aftermarket Review Thread!

[BMW4LIFE]

Please keep all posting that is not a review out of this thread.


Alright Gents!

So here I want everyone to post parts that they have changed out from their BMW and what they thought about them. I figure this will allow everyone to see what others have used and their final verdict.


Format:


Brand & model:
Price paid and from where:
Pros:
Cons:
Final verdict:

[BMW4LIFE]

I will star this out!

Brand & model: Akebono Euro Pads
Price paid and from where: Don't remember
Pros:Practically no brake dust, Solid backing, have over 10k on them and plenty of pad left, VERY quiet, Linear braking
Cons: No crazy initial bite
Final verdict: Very happy with these pads! Will buy them again!

Brand & model: ATE Premium One Slotted Rotors
Price paid and from where: Don't remember
Pros: Looks awesome, does not rust like the rest, feels like a solid construction
Cons: Humms when you brake hard (some like it), Sense a little vibration in soft braking but goes away in hard braking
Final verdict: I like these a lot but I may try a different rotor if I find out that the vibration is a common factor for these rotors.

Brand & model: Michelin Pilots Exaltos
Price paid and from where: Costco ~$420
Pros: Very nice ride, quiet, great traction in dry and wet weather, directional tread
Cons: Seems to wear a little fast being that the tread is rated at 400
Final verdict: LOVE THESE TIRES! Especially due to the fact that Costco had a huge rebate on them with lifetime rotation, balance and flat repair.

[BMW4LIFE]

Just remembered these as well

Brand & model: ATE Super Blue Race Fluid DOT4
Price paid and from where: ~14 at AutohausAZ
Pros: Awesome color which makes it easier to know you have done a full flush, could be a placebo affect but I feel as though the car stops faster than it did with the old fluid, high BP than DOT3, does not damage the brake lines
Cons: None!
Final verdict: I swear by this fluid and have changed all of my parents and sister's car with this fluid. Also I recommend it to all my friends!

[Rick L]

OK, I'll play...

Brand & model: Eibach Springs
Price paid and from where: Tire Rack
Pros: Lower stance and better handling
Cons: none
Final verdict: Excellent combo with Koni yellow sport struts/shocks.

Brand & model: Koni Yellow Sport Adjustable struts/shocks
Price paid and from where: Tire Rack
Pros: Better handling and excellent ride quality
Cons: none
Final verdict: Excellent combo with Eibach springs.

Brand & model: Akebono Euro Ceramic
Price paid and from where: Tire Rack
Pros: Almost no brake dust and quiet
Cons: Doesn’t have the bite as oe pads, especially when cold
Final verdict: Good pads for a ceramic and would buy again for my 525i but NOT for my M3.

Brand & model: BrakePerformance.com Cross-Drilled Rotors
Price paid and from where: BrakePerformance.com
Pros: Decent quality, Zinc coated (no visible rust yet after almost a year since install), feel smooth, no vibration
Cons: None
Final verdict: So far so good.

Brand & model: Continental ExtremeContact DW Tires (235/40/18 & 265/35/18)
Price paid and from where: Discount Tire
Pros: Handles well, quite, excellent in rain, light weight
Cons: Soft sidewall
Final verdict: So far so good. I don’t want to praise it yet until more miles on them.

Brand & model: DDM Tuning HID (lows and fogs)
Price paid and from where: DDM Tuning
Pros: Good quality, reliable, very bright, low price
Cons: None
Final verdict: Can’t beat the price on these. Quality is excellent and has been very reliable.

[Bimmer Nut Ed]

Brand & model: Racing Dynamic Headers on big six M30
Price paid and from where: Don't remember
Pros:hp and sound
Cons: I did not weld them in place, and the couple would rust out about every 2-3 years (mid-west salt)
Final verdict: Very very happy with them.