Z4 3.0si Brakes - I want less dust

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by E86Z

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?

Huh? Thats the opposite of my post. Z-rated not good in cold, Akrbobo ceramics good in cold.

[E86Z]

Oh, I thought they are both ceramic heh oops

[EAS]

We've ran Cool Carbon brake pads on several of our cars and they have less dust than OEM pads. They also have a much more linear bite and feels much easier to modulate under heavy braking!

[E86Z]

Just found this: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=617335

Thanks for the info Santov!

[3798j]

I too had had it with the brake dusting - short drive on clean wheels and they needed cleaning again. Went the Centric PosiQuiet Ceramic route and couldn't be more pleased. They fit my driving style and tastes - I'm in the old car hobby and a number of my other rides require that firmer first pedal application, and while there are no track days, there are what I'd describe as "spirited" driving moments.
Purchased from one of my favorite parts supplier: http://rockauto.com/ and the pads arrived the next day.
The happy ending - minimal dusting that doesn't cling.

[philippelyp]

I've been quite happy with Cool Carbon pads but they squeal quite a lot.

[robert @ eas]

Originally Posted by philippelyp

I've been quite happy with Cool Carbon pads but they squeal quite a lot.

Hey Philippe

Cool Carbon pads are usually very low noise; make sure to remove the
previous friction material or other coatings from the rotor surface with
BrakeKleen and green Scotchbrite pad before installing new pads; also good
idea to apply noise free to back of pad backing plate; CC pads can generate
a bit more dust until fully bedded which can possibly cause some noise;
this can be eliminated by flushing the caliper with water from a hose, but
only do this when rotors are cold.


http://www.coolcarbonperformance.com/faq.html

[philippelyp]

Thanks for the tips Robert. I love my CC pads

Originally Posted by robert @ eas

Hey Philippe

Cool Carbon pads are usually very low noise; make sure to remove the
previous friction material or other coatings from the rotor surface with
BrakeKleen and green Scotchbrite pad before installing new pads; also good
idea to apply noise free to back of pad backing plate; CC pads can generate
a bit more dust until fully bedded which can possibly cause some noise;
this can be eliminated by flushing the caliper with water from a hose, but
only do this when rotors are cold.


http://www.coolcarbonperformance.com/faq.html

[WickedNy]

I bought the stoptech performance slotted rotor setup, bedded them as they recommended, and have absolutely no squeaks, stops on a dime, and extremely minimal dust, just the usual road grime. The complete kit was less then $700 for 4 rotors, pads, and steel brake lines and a great product imo

[damikmak]

just put a set of Akebono pads and a new set of brembo discs on two weeks ago. brakes are great and after two there is little to no brake dust!!! Haven't had any brake noise either and i would expect the braking power to get better after a thousand miles or so. I am totally sold on Akebono pads.

[mitchsf]

I have experience with Akebono and Hawk ceramic pads on my E46. Rotors were different, but I think the Hawks had better initial bite. That's what I'll go with on the Z4 when I do the brakes next month.

[nate96]

I have the Hawks ceramic. They are great. Minimal dust, and bite better than stock. My only problem with them is that I had to modify them for them to fit. They had a couple tits on the back of the pad that the stock do not have. I ground them down and they fit no proplem and I have had no issues with them. I called and cross referenced to make sure I had the correct pads and was told I did.

[E86Z]

Originally Posted by nate96

I have the Hawks ceramic. They are great. Minimal dust, and bite better than stock. My only problem with them is that I had to modify them for them to fit. They had a couple tits on the back of the pad that the stock do not have. I ground them down and they fit no proplem and I have had no issues with them. I called and cross referenced to make sure I had the correct pads and was told I did.

Are they noisy during winter?

Great info in the thread, hopefully I can wait out winter since my sensors haven't been tripped.

[nate96]

Even when it was below -30 there was no noise. Only time there is some noise is when you hammer on the brakes. I also did not notice much difference at that temp compared to stock.

[kevin @ eas]

Cool Carbon Pads provide excellent performance year round with very little dust or noise; also very rotor friendly, linear and easy to modulate. We have many repeat customers on these pads and run them on our own cars.



Don't miss out on our 30/30 sale during March.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=658317

https://www.europeanautosource.com/specials

http://www.europeanautosource.com/ma...bonPerformance

[E86Z]

Update: so I bought centric premium disks and akebono pads

Here are my old disks and pads, suffice to say they were ready to be changed





Now, my rotors are working as expected but the akebono brakes are terrible, I haven't done a brake fluid change but the pedal feel is terribly spongy. Initial bite is very weak.

What kind of bedding procedure did you akebono buyers use?

Also I washed the car (surface rust appeared) and I realized there is a gap between the hub and where the pad meets the disk. Not a large gap but I don't recall this on the oem brakes.

[inTgr8r]

How long has it been since the brake fluid was last changed?

[E86Z]

Little over 2 years, I'm definitely due but right before the brake job everything was as crisp as could be.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by E86Z

...
What kind of bedding procedure did you akebono buyers use?

http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

[Keith_H1]

Another resource is parts geek. I thought about going with all high dollar replacements but ended up staying pretty much stock once I realized I'd never use the car for anything more than spirited back road driving. Besides, I share a common story as many other Americans.......I'm making two thirds of what I was 5 years ago but the bills/expenses have gone up. I bought centric rotors, stop tech pads, all new hardware and new wear sensors for $388....... DELIVERED. I couldn't be happier because it stops quicker than stock and I saved almost $700 over buying stock from BMW. The dust problem is almost non existent and what little there is rinses off easily with no scrubbing. http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2007/bmw/z4/brake/brake_rotor.html

[Aries326]

Great thread! I earned a lot. I bought my car with 15K and currently have 22k on it. I believe the brakes were recently done just prior to the car being sold to me. How much more life can I expect out of the brakes before I can swap them out with something better? I really can't stand all the dust.

[CJW2OO4]

TMS has the drilled rotors on sale now