Brake job - pads?

[Cab325i/540i]

The new 540i's brakes have a growl when on the last rotation or two before a stop, sometimes. So I got in there to see if I could see anything that might be causing this weird phenomenon. I noticed that the rotors all have a pronounced lip around the edge, which means I'll be replacing them. I thought I might as well do the pads and a fluid flush at the same time. I'll be getting just standard rotors (Brembo rotors, I believe) and just wanted to ask what you guys/gals use for pads. I have PBR Metalmasters on my E30, but this is quite a heavier car and I don't have enough experience with this car yet to know what's good. HMS recommends EBC Redstuff, Bavauto has Pagid and Mintex pads.

What's good for just normal street driving? This is my wife's car, it will not see autoX or track duty (that's what the E30 is for!).

TIA.

[Drooby]

just bumping this up - going to be my next job - after the tires , i was told that front pads and rotors were @ 0% !!!!

i wish i can do this myself , or if anyone knows a bargain shop around northern NJ area please point to it.


cheers

[Rory]

The new 540i's brakes have a growl when on the last rotation or two before a stop, sometimes. So I got in there to see if I could see anything that might be causing this weird phenomenon. I noticed that the rotors all have a pronounced lip around the edge, which means I'll be replacing them. I thought I might as well do the pads and a fluid flush at the same time. I'll be getting just standard rotors (Brembo rotors, I believe) and just wanted to ask what you guys/gals use for pads. I have PBR Metalmasters on my E30, but this is quite a heavier car and I don't have enough experience with this car yet to know what's good. HMS recommends EBC Redstuff, Bavauto has Pagid and Mintex pads.

What's good for just normal street driving? This is my wife's car, it will not see autoX or track duty (that's what the E30 is for!).

TIA.
I have heard more negative reviews of the Red and Green Stuff having problems after 5-10K miles. Specically a chamfering at the front of the pad causing lots of vibrations. I have to do the brakes on my 5 before it gets cold. I ordered Balo Rotors (OEM) and PBR Deluxe pads. They will give a nice quiet braking experience, they have plenty of grip, and will grip well when cold. They are reasonably priced and offer great performance. My wife and I share the car since we moved up north and only need one car so I wanted to have a quiet experience and a smooth bite that she is used too. Some others swear by Raybesto's Q Ceramics. I have no experience with them but others seem to like them. YMMV.

Good Luck,
Rory

[Geoff Hoad]

From personal exeprience on E34 and E30 models there is no problems at all with Greenstuff pads. Both cars have been driven hard and also tracked with good pad wear and not problems with rotors. I also know a number of other people who also use them with great results.

[Tiger]

Where are you at?

[Bill R.]

anybody else that posts on here with the possible exception of Winfred and the pads that I have had the best results with the fewest complaints from customers is the raybestos QS series ceramic pad. Its available for bmw's. Has good braking ability for a street car, no dust, very quiet and a good pedal feel .. the pedal feel is far superior to metalmasters and I install both often. You can get them at any Checkers' auto parts, kragen, advance, pepboys or online from partsamerica.com









The new 540i's brakes have a growl when on the last rotation or two before a stop, sometimes. So I got in there to see if I could see anything that might be causing this weird phenomenon. I noticed that the rotors all have a pronounced lip around the edge, which means I'll be replacing them. I thought I might as well do the pads and a fluid flush at the same time. I'll be getting just standard rotors (Brembo rotors, I believe) and just wanted to ask what you guys/gals use for pads. I have PBR Metalmasters on my E30, but this is quite a heavier car and I don't have enough experience with this car yet to know what's good. HMS recommends EBC Redstuff, Bavauto has Pagid and Mintex pads.

What's good for just normal street driving? This is my wife's car, it will not see autoX or track duty (that's what the E30 is for!).

TIA.

[Jeff N.]

Bill R. swears by the Raybestos QS pads and he's probably done more brake jobs than anyone on the board by an order of 100x. They sound perfect for your application. Quiet and low dust.

I have the PBR Metalmasters and they work quite well. I use them for street and track with good results. Only thing about them - and I'm sure you're aware of this - is that they don't bite real well until you get a bit of heat into them. Not the best for the wifey unless she's drivin' it hard...

[Drooby]

Where are you at?


Wayne NJ 07470

[Cab325i/540i]

Wayne NJ 07470

You can totally do a brake job yourself, all you need are some good jackstands and a few common tools. It's probably one of the easiest DIY jobs out there.

[Cab325i/540i]

Thanks, everyone! I've heard good things about Raybestos from other people as well. I am not sure what I'll get right now, my brother-in-law recommends Pagid pads which he uses on his 91 M5. Those are the same price from Bavauto as the Raybestos from partsamerica.com. I like Bavauto, as they are only ~50 miles from me and I always get the order the next day.

So anyway, thanks for all your input, it's certainly well received! I continue to do a little price comparison, and I'll probably put the order in later today.

[Rory]

Thanks, everyone! I've heard good things about Raybestos from other people as well. I am not sure what I'll get right now, my brother-in-law recommends Pagid pads which he uses on his 91 M5. Those are the same price from Bavauto as the Raybestos from partsamerica.com. I like Bavauto, as they are only ~50 miles from me and I always get the order the next day.

So anyway, thanks for all your input, it's certainly well received! I continue to do a little price comparison, and I'll probably put the order in later today.
Not sure where exactly you are but Turner Motorsports is probably closer and they are cheaper than Bavauto more often than not. Great group of guys as well....

http://www.turnermotorsports.com

Best,
Rory

[Cab325i/540i]

Not sure where exactly you are but Turner Motorsports is probably closer and they are cheaper than Bavauto more often than not. Great group of guys as well....

http://www.turnermotorsports.com

Best,
Rory

I bought my E30 brake package and suspension from Turner. They are good guys, and are a little bit closer than Bavauto. I have not noticed them being substantially different in price than Bavauto. I looked on their website, and I don't see any E34 stuff stocked. I haven't called them about it yet, but I think I will. I know they have some stuff for the E34 M5, but they don't show a brake package for the E34 like they do for E30, E36, E46, E39.

[Tiger]

Buy stuff from BMA or Mr. Auto Parts... cheapest for great stuff. Edison, NJ is where the warehouse is... so not too long at all to get parts.

[DueyT]

Cab, what wheels do you have? If you have anything intricate (like #5's) you'd be doing yourself a favour by getting the Raybestos QS ceramic per Bill R.'s recommendation. I got them on Bill's recommendation and would highly recommend them as well.

Duey

[SharkmanBMW]

Cab, what wheels do you have? If you have anything intricate (like #5's) you'd be doing yourself a favour by getting the Raybestos QS ceramic per Bill R.'s recommendation. I got them on Bill's recommendation and would highly recommend them as well.

Duey


I would appreciate any pointers on that!! email me about those tires as well!
sharkmanbmw@hotmail.com

thanks,
chris

[DueyT]

I would appreciate any pointers on that!! email me about those tires as well!
sharkmanbmw@hotmail.com

thanks,
chris
Chris, you have mail. I got the QS pads here in town...$80 front and $65 rear, IIRC...let me know if you want some, I could get some for you if I drop in to Lachine for the tires.

Cheers,
Duey

[Cab325i/540i]

Cab, what wheels do you have? If you have anything intricate (like #5's) you'd be doing yourself a favour by getting the Raybestos QS ceramic per Bill R.'s recommendation. I got them on Bill's recommendation and would highly recommend them as well.

Duey

I have 17"x7.5", et20 replicas of M3 LTW wheels, style 24:

http://zoouz.free.fr/Wheels/TMP_wheel/bmw_wheel_024.jpg

I appreciate all the advice from everyone here. I bought the brake parts yesterday from Turner. I tried BMA and partsamerica and racingking, and I wasn't able to find better prices than Turner had, at least not substantially. I like that Turner is only 45 minutes from me, so I know I'll get the parts in before this weekend to do the work, and I've done business with them before and like them (and it's good to support your local BMW shops!). The P.O. had PBR pads on there now (actually there is still quite a bit of pad left) and I have yet to see any dust at all on the wheels.

I was confused by the prices shown on e34.net. It shows great prices, like half price than anywhere else, but when I clicked "Buy now" it took me to racingking.net, and the prices there were much higher. Bruno emailed me and said to try BMA, but as I said, the prices there weren't better than what I paid at Turner. Anyway, I'll be happy just to have rotors that aren't totally worn down. I think the ones on the car are original.

[Cab325i/540i]

Buy stuff from BMA or Mr. Auto Parts... cheapest for great stuff. Edison, NJ is where the warehouse is... so not too long at all to get parts.

See my response below. I tried BMA and the prices weren't enough better than Turner to make me go elsewhere. For F/R pads and rotors, I paid about $15 more at Turner. I'm not worried about that, since I am more than willing to pay a little more to a local shop that I already have a relationship with. If it had been half price or something like that, I would have done it.

[DanQ]

Hey guys,

I'm going to pick up the Raybestos QS Ceramics that Bill R recommended to hopefully keep me out of the business of cleaning the wheels every 3 days. Would it help to use some of those wheel/dust shields as well?

Thanks

[rockyfeller]

I requested Raybestos QS at a shop once and they said it wasn't compatible since our cars have a built in sensor. they insisted the dealer was the only one that could help me, but I just wasn't in a mood to drop about $1000 for a brake job....I think they don't know what they're talking about, don't you guys agree? I'm alien to a brake job, but I'm about to attempt it myself.

[DrewZ]

They prevent rotors from cooling, which can lead to warped rotors. The pads will make a big difference in how often you have to clean your wheels.

Drew Zacharda
6-speed Touring
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/newavatar.jpg (http://www.bmwe34.net/ASP/DURegistry/RegDetail.asp?id=100)


Hey guys,

I'm going to pick up the Raybestos QS Ceramics that Bill R recommended to hopefully keep me out of the business of cleaning the wheels every 3 days. Would it help to use some of those wheel/dust shields as well?

Thanks

[DanQ]

They prevent rotors from cooling, which can lead to warped rotors. The pads will make a big difference in how often you have to clean your wheels.

Drew Zacharda
6-speed Touring
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/newavatar.jpg (http://www.bmwe34.net/ASP/DURegistry/RegDetail.asp?id=100)

That's what i was looking for.

Thanks

[Tiger]

It's easy rocky... do it yourself for less than $250.

[shragon]

I have heard more negative reviews of the Red and Green Stuff having problems after 5-10K miles. Specically a chamfering at the front of the pad causing lots of vibrations. I have to do the brakes on my 5 before it gets cold. I ordered Balo Rotors (OEM) and PBR Deluxe pads. They will give a nice quiet braking experience, they have plenty of grip, and will grip well when cold. They are reasonably priced and offer great performance. My wife and I share the car since we moved up north and only need one car so I wanted to have a quiet experience and a smooth bite that she is used too. Some others swear by Raybesto's Q Ceramics. I have no experience with them but others seem to like them. YMMV.

Good Luck,
Rory
ebc's are garbage!

axxis works well.