Z4 3.0si Brakes - I want less dust

[E86Z]

Hi all,

I searched to the best of my abilities but have come up short. My rear brakes are due and I'd like to change the oem set up a little bit, I've been having difficulty choosing a new set up. I'd like low dust pads with the same or slightly better braking power as oem. I really don't want to mess with any squeaking.

I read up on Akebonos (i would install on oem rotors) but I have yet to find for the z4.

Any combinations will be appreciated, thank you

[worlina]

I just installed the akenobo ceramic pads and zimmerman rotors. Less dust compared to the original pads up front. Got them from bimmerspecialist. Don't forget the sensor. It is located on the rear right, which terminates under the wheel fender in a black box.

[E86Z]

Thanks for the info; do you have any squeaking issues or other noise?

Seems like Tirerack had the akebono ceramic for cheaper:

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...6&autoModClar=

[worlina]

No squeaking noise or other issues. Works great! Just need to do the front next time. That's a good price you found.

[AirOpsMgr]

I just installed Akebonos on both front and rear of my 3.0i, have had them on for a month and can say that there is very little to no dust at all.

I intentionally let my wheels go for 3 weeks before cleaning and the only thing I found was regular road grime, which came right off when I sprayed water on it.

Autopartswarehouse has the cheapest prices I have seen

[E86Z]

Originally Posted by b7051

No squeaking noise or other issues. Works great! Just need to do the front next time. That's a good price you found.

Assuming you paid via credit card, if you have price protection on your credit card they might be able to match it for you.

Originally Posted by AirOpsMgr

I just installed Akebonos on both front and rear of my 3.0i, have had them on for a month and can say that there is very little to no dust at all.

I intentionally let my wheels go for 3 weeks before cleaning and the only thing I found was regular road grime, which came right off when I sprayed water on it.

Autopartswarehouse has the cheapest prices I have seen

How is the braking power vs oem and did you keep oem rotors?

[AirOpsMgr]

Kept the OEM rotors, braking seemed a little better, but I haven't really done any major testing, just a few 60-10 stops to bed them and they worked very well, no noise at all.

Both sets had the notch for the brake sensor on the inner pads (I re-used the OEM sensors as my pads still had 50% life in them); easy install.

[E86Z]

Great thanks!

Anyone else have any experience with non oem brake setups for non M

[partlowr]

Originally Posted by b7051

I just installed the akenobo ceramic pads and zimmerman rotors. Less dust compared to the original pads up front. Got them from bimmerspecialist. Don't forget the sensor. It is located on the rear right, which terminates under the wheel fender in a black box.

Can you give me more info regarding this sensor that you mention? Is this a part I have to buy and replace or is it just something that I connect/disconnect? I am putting new drilled rotors and ceramic pads on my (Non-M) 2005 Z4 3.0i. Does the 05 non M even have these sensors? I have done at least a dozen brake jobs in my life but never on this car. Thanks in advance.

[AirOpsMgr]

The brake sensors (a sensor that is tripped when the brake pads wear down to the backing plate) are located on the right rear and the left front inner brake pads.

You do not need to replace them unless they have been tripped or damaged; if the pads were worn all the way down and your brake warning light comes on, then you will need to replace the sensor(s).

The sensors sit in the upper portion of your inner brake pad, you will see them when you take your wheel off as there is a wire that runs out of the top of the sensor. The sensor has a small retaining clip that seats the sensor into the pad - when you pull them out, make sure not to loose the metal retainer clip, and simply clip them back into the new pads.

If you do need to replace one or both, you can buy replacements.

[DataStream18]

Hawk HPS+ pads. I have to wash my wheels once every 3 weeks depending on driving style. Love them!

[E86Z]

Ahh there's the community feel, thanks all for the help

I was reading good things about hawks also. I'm going to need more research I guess

I'm interested in noise and stopping power as well, heck it seems like a few people were annoyed by the same dust issue!

[Ovaltine]

PO installed Axxis (sp?) pads on my coupe. No dust to speak of - perhaps another option for you.

[partlowr]

Originally Posted by AirOpsMgr

The brake sensors (a sensor that is tripped when the brake pads wear down to the backing plate) are located on the right rear and the left front inner brake pads.

You do not need to replace them unless they have been tripped or damaged; if the pads were worn all the way down and your brake warning light comes on, then you will need to replace the sensor(s).

The sensors sit in the upper portion of your inner brake pad, you will see them when you take your wheel off as there is a wire that runs out of the top of the sensor. The sensor has a small retaining clip that seats the sensor into the pad - when you pull them out, make sure not to loose the metal retainer clip, and simply clip them back into the new pads.

If you do need to replace one or both, you can buy replacements.

That's what I kinda suspected but thanks for the confirmation. I'm probably going to tackle the pads and rotors along with my new H&R springs and new shocks this weekend. The only good thing about Chicago winters is that the Z4 gets parked and downtime for mods and maintanence does not become an issue,as long as everything is buttoned up by mid March all is good. After the brakes and springs comes exhaust and possibly the front Aero bumper and rear diffuser (if the budget allows for it, hoping for a nice tax refund).

Thanks again, This is by far the most informative forum for Z4's I have come across.

[3002 tii]

I have Akebono ceramics on my G, love them. Low dust, better bite than oem, NO squeak, and they look like they'll last a while.

[E86Z]

The more I read the more I'm leaning away from akebono. I hear there's a loss of initial bite.

Thinking of stoptech or performance friction Z.

According to my reading performance friction Z is amazing once bedded properly. Low dust, good braking and no noise.

[worlina]

Originally Posted by partlowr

Can you give me more info regarding this sensor that you mention? Is this a part I have to buy and replace or is it just something that I connect/disconnect? I am putting new drilled rotors and ceramic pads on my (Non-M) 2005 Z4 3.0i. Does the 05 non M even have these sensors? I have done at least a dozen brake jobs in my life but never on this car. Thanks in advance.

This break sensor needs to be replaced with every new pads.

[AirOpsMgr]

Originally Posted by b7051

This break sensor needs to be replaced with every new pads.

Why??

If they have not been tripped (pads worn down to the sensor or damaged by some other reason), I see no reason to buy replacements..... unless I'm missing something here.

The sensor is just a wire loop inside a plastic housing, so when the pads wear down, it erodes the plastic and causes a break in the wire loop (breaks the circuit), which then gives you the brake warning light on the dash.

Along the same lines, there are some that claim that OEM rotors are soft and need to be replaced with a pad change (due to the fact that BMW vented rotors shouldn't be turned due to their thickness), especially when using harder non-OEM pads.....

Not saying there isn't any validity here, but I am curious of the reasoning.

Brgds,

[antennahead]

Akebono ceramics from Tirerack on my M Roadster ..................... first mod I made after purchase................. goodbye brake dust hell It's a DD and I'm totally happy with the street performance.

John

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by E86Z

The more I read the more I'm leaning away from akebono. I hear there's a loss of initial bite.

Thinking of stoptech or performance friction Z.

According to my reading performance friction Z is amazing once bedded properly. Low dust, good braking and no noise.

Stoptech will squeal.

I have PFC Z-rated on my Z4. Only reason I bought them was b/c I run PFC 06 for track days and I didn't want to have to deal with rebedding each time I switch between different compounds. With that said, they're great for the aggressive driver on the street.

Reason I say that is for an aggressive pad, it does NOT squeal BUT for a street pad, I noticed they still need to get warmed up a bit for full effectiveness. Else, they don't grab as hard as the oe pads on cold days or when the brakes have yet to warm up.

On the other hand, the Akebonos on my daily work great in all conditions, no squeal, no dust and the wear doesn't seem too bad. I'd still stick with Akebonos..

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by b7051

This break sensor needs to be replaced with every new pads.

Correct

Originally Posted by AirOpsMgr

Why??

If they have not been tripped (pads worn down to the sensor or damaged by some other reason), I see no reason to buy replacements..... unless I'm missing something here.

The sensor is just a wire loop inside a plastic housing, so when the pads wear down, it erodes the plastic and causes a break in the wire loop (breaks the circuit), which then gives you the brake warning light on the dash.

Also correct - the assumption being you are replacing pads b/c your sensor on the dash has come on. If you're replacing pads before the light has come on, then the sensor should still be fine.

[E86Z]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

Stoptech will squeal.

I have PFC Z-rated on my Z4. Only reason I bought them was b/c I run PFC 06 for track days and I didn't want to have to deal with rebedding each time I switch between different compounds. With that said, they're great for the aggressive driver on the street.

Reason I say that is for an aggressive pad, it does NOT squeal BUT for a street pad, I noticed they still need to get warmed up a bit for full effectiveness. Else, they don't grab as hard as the oe pads on cold days or when the brakes have yet to warm up.

On the other hand, the Akebonos on my daily work great in all conditions, no squeal, no dust and the wear doesn't seem too bad. I'd still stick with Akebonos..

Thanks for your input, I was wondering this as I drive my car during winter in Canada (today was 7°F) and I need brakes to perform properly. Maybe ceramic isn't a good option?