Brake pad replacement - OEM or aftermarket?

[stewy604]

Hey Guys,

For those that have replaced their OEM brake pads, did you swap to aftermarket or stick with OEM? I'll need to do mine in the next month or so and would appreciate the feedback. The OE pads IMO are fine performance-wise, and also produce very low dust which is nice. I'm running Pagid (Porsche OEM) on my Audi for the fronts, rears are Akebono Euros...both have been great. I've also used varying options from Hawk on other vehicles, HPS most recently.

[Kzang]

Isn't this covered by BMW for 4 years?

[stewy604]

No sir, per BMW this covers:

-Oil and filter change
-Vehicle service check
-Service or replacement of air, fuel and micro filters, spark plugs and brake fluid.

[Doanster]

Pads and rotors are covered afaik. My salesperson specifically pointed that out at time of sale. Same as wipers. One free set/year. This is for the US at least.

Having said that, to answer your original question, I would go aftermarket, but I always choose better stopping power at the expense of dust, so I choose pads like Axxis/PBR Ultimates, Hawk, or EBC. If you're fine with the stock pads as is, stick with them. No fuss, no muss.

[stewy604]

In addition to the above, which I copied and pasted from BMW.ca...there's an asterisk noting the following...

"The maintenance schedule intervals are based on normal driving conditions and operation. Additional maintenance not identified by the vehicle’s on-board maintenance system, or wear and tear items such as brakes, clutches, and wiper blades will not be covered."

Looks like its a customer pay.

[Doanster]

There you go. Canada vs US. So now it boils down to what you're after. Better bite, then switch pads. Happy with stock for both bite and low/no dust, then stay with OEM.

[radrads203]

I just ordered Carbotech 1521 for my front M performance Calipers, for the rear i will be installing Hawk HPS5.0 this week

[r33_RGSport]

stewy604 , you can find Hawk or EBC RedStuff I believe. I personally never use aftermarket street pad, but should be do-able.

[wjbender]

OK - I am confused - Are brake jobs covered in the USA under warranty or not? I thought that was for USA cars

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by wjbender

OK - I am confused - Are brake jobs covered in the USA under warranty or not? I thought that was for USA cars

Stewey is from Canada which is not covered apparently, so yes in the USA it is covered under maintenance plan 4 years or 50k miles whichever comes first.

[42pilot]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

stewy604 , you can find Hawk or EBC RedStuff I believe. I personally never use aftermarket street pad, but should be do-able.

Agreed. Noise and dust with aftermarket sucks plus the "soft" rotor steel used in combination with the the stock pads make an impressive combination.

If you change to aftermarket pads, then change the rotors as well.

[wjbender]

apparently my rear pads are wearing faster than front?? This is reversed from most cars I have owned. I just checked in Vehicle Status

[42pilot]

Originally Posted by wjbender

apparently my rear pads are wearing faster than front?? This is reversed from most cars I have owned. I just checked in Vehicle Status

Odd for sure.

[roadkillrob]

OEM all the way, never been happy with aftermarket feel for normal driving conditions.

Rear wear faster because car puts on the rear brakes to control wheel spin and help rotate the vehicle in skids and even in spirited driving - BMW's always wear out their rears first!

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by wjbender

apparently my rear pads are wearing faster than front?? This is reversed from most cars I have owned. I just checked in Vehicle Status

Do you normally carry a load in the rear cargo area?

[stewy604]

My rears are just about done...fronts would have about another 10k left on them. I'm going to do all 4 at once...might as well take a few hours and do it all.

[luv135i]

Originally Posted by wjbender

apparently my rear pads are wearing faster than front?? This is reversed from most cars I have owned. I just checked in Vehicle Status

That really doesnt mean anything. It called for pads on my wifes car like 60k miles ago. They were checked and had plenty if meat so the monitor was reset. No need to worry till the sensor trips.

[Cost a lot]

Been running US Carbotec performance pads for 10 years, Awsome! almost no dust and slightly better breaking than standard, also rotor friendly. I have them installed the day I pick up any new BMW. Have tried EBC and to hard on stock rotors.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

OEM all the way, never been happy with aftermarket feel for normal driving conditions.

Rear wear faster because car puts on the rear brakes to control wheel spin and help rotate the vehicle in skids and even in spirited driving - BMW's always wear out their rears first!

Agree

Correct on rears wearing first. Usual on most BMW's due to the reasons you listed.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by stewy604

Hey Guys,

For those that have replaced their OEM brake pads, did you swap to aftermarket or stick with OEM? I'll need to do mine in the next month or so and would appreciate the feedback. The OE pads IMO are fine performance-wise, and also produce very low dust which is nice. I'm running Pagid (Porsche OEM) on my Audi for the fronts, rears are Akebono Euros...both have been great. I've also used varying options from Hawk on other vehicles, HPS most recently.

Did you check with the service whether your brakes really need changing? I found out that my car computer stated brake change in 6,000km. I did a lot of highway driving and had the car checked, they measure the thickness of the brakes with some marker (and discs) and told me that the computer is wrong. There is no sensor for the brakes, it is a computer calculation. So they measured and entered new values and this added another 20,000km, so brake change needed in 27,000km.

[stewy604]

^^ Good advice man. Measured them last night...I'm actually at 8mm for both the front and the rear.

[roadkillrob]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

Did you check with the service whether your brakes really need changing? I found out that my car computer stated brake change in 6,000km. I did a lot of highway driving and had the car checked, they measure the thickness of the brakes with some marker (and discs) and told me that the computer is wrong. There is no sensor for the brakes, it is a computer calculation. So they measured and entered new values and this added another 20,000km, so brake change needed in 27,000km.

Yes good advice, computer is just guessing based on mileage but depending on your driving that can vary a lot, it only really know when the sensors start to touch the rotor and then the measurement becomes more accurate.