brake pad recommendation

grannyknot · 07-10-2022, 04:16 PM

2008 Z4MC

I just was looking through the brake pad section on ECS and there must 50 or more different types, where to start?
I use my Z mostly for highway and secondary roads, if I'm lucky I get to the track once a year so brake fade isn't really something I encounter often.
Should I just stick with stock?
Thanks

bwright657 · 07-11-2022, 09:20 AM

I would order through FCP Euro so you can take advantage of their replacement policy for your next set of pads. Since you're so heavy on street driving, I would go for the Akebono or Hawk ceramics so you don't have as much brake dust to worry about.

grannyknot · 07-11-2022, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwright657

I would order through FCP Euro so you can take advantage of their replacement policy for your next set of pads. Since you're so heavy on street driving, I would go for the Akebono or Hawk ceramics so you don't have as much brake dust to worry about.

Thanks, I've been doing a lot of reading since I posted that question yesterday and Akebono has come up many times as an all round pad with a good bite and less wheel cleaning.
I'll give them a try.

3002 tii · 07-11-2022, 10:13 PM

For one track event per year I would just stick to OEM equivalent pads. Forget any “aggressive” street pad as that’ll just be the worst of everything (loud, dusty, eats rotors, etc.)

Coi · 07-12-2022, 02:43 AM

I have Stoptech Sport (semi-metallic) pads and they are extremely quiet but dust like crazy. They seem very similar to OEM though maybe hold up a little better to abuse. My car came with OEM pads and the dust on those was terrible too. I would pick them over OEM but try to find something less dusty if you can.

I plan to track my car maybe once or twice per year with these but it still needs a bunch of little repairs before it's ready for that.

MZHammer · 07-12-2022, 05:57 PM

+1 for Akebono and FCP Euro. It's just a weekend car for me, with some spirited driving, and they have been great. Wheels stay nice and clean.

maupineda · 07-14-2022, 05:26 AM

Stock, dont be lazy and clean the wheels when needed

kyriian · 07-14-2022, 10:42 AM

Stoptech Sport, i used it on my MX5 and it manage to handle a little light lapping duty without too much issues. It does not dust like a race pad or even a dual purpose performance pad.

TyzToyz · 07-22-2022, 08:49 PM

I have a set of yellow stuff pads for the front I picked up on sale. I have not installed them yet and not sure if I will use them. Not much mention of them on here or anywhere else for that matter.
I may switch directions if I cannot find anything good about them.

Tye

wdb · 07-23-2022, 03:17 PM

My thought when I hear "Yellow Stuff" is "track pad". Is that why you got them?

ZeD4Mr · 07-23-2022, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyknot

2008 Z4MC

I just was looking through the brake pad section on ECS and there must 50 or more different types, where to start?
I use my Z mostly for highway and secondary roads, if I'm lucky I get to the track once a year so brake fade isn't really something I encounter often.
Should I just stick with stock?
Thanks

I have had Stoptech Sport, Akebono Euro, Hawk HPS.

Akebono: Virtually no dust. Low initial bite. Quiet

Stoptech Sport: lower dust than OE. Good initial bite. Quiet

Hawk HPS: Higher dust than ST Sport, lower than OE. Good initial bite. Mostly quiet.

I should have some ST Sport and Hawk HPS sets with good life left (80-90%) sitting around some where.

TyzToyz · 07-25-2022, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdb

My thought when I hear "Yellow Stuff" is "track pad". Is that why you got them?

No current intentions to go to the track, they were on sale and I thought why not? However, after reading a bunch, for the type I driving I currently do (highway, mountain roads, secondary roads) I will choose something different.
I am too, overwhelmed with the amount of selection of brake components for these cars.

Tye

JustinHEMI · 07-27-2022, 08:51 AM

I am very happy with the Akebono that I got from FCP Euro.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...et-rear-eur683

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t-front-eur946

grannyknot · 07-27-2022, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

I am very happy with the Akebono that I got from FCP Euro.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...et-rear-eur683

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t-front-eur946

That's what I ordered too.

wdb · 07-27-2022, 04:27 PM

My ex-indy liked Akebono. Not much dust. Decent performance.

belcom · 08-11-2022, 09:43 PM

Installed a set of Akebono rotors and pads on my wife's Acura TLX recently and its not bad but I don't like the lack of initial bite. It makes it weird and not exactly predictable. Once you get on the brake pedal its feels good but braking does not feel linear overall.

Rule of thumb though... no dust no brake power. I did not come up with that lol but it makes sense.

ctdriver86 · 09-07-2022, 01:41 AM

I'm running akebono euro pads for street since they have very low dusting. I've taken my car to the canyons and tested the brakes and they hold up to good pace with SS brake lines and project mu brake fluid. I'm very happy with this setup for street use.

XMetal · 09-07-2022, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctdriver86

I'm running akebono euro pads for street since they have very low dusting. I've taken my car to the canyons and tested the brakes and they hold up to good pace with SS brake lines and project mu brake fluid. I'm very happy with this setup for street use.

While the akebono euro pads were fine on my X5 and I loved it, it didn't fair too well on the Moupe. I managed to warped my crossed drilled rotors on canyon runs and street use

More info here => https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthr...highlight=warp

grannyknot · 09-16-2022, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

While the akebono euro pads were fine on my X5 and I loved it, it didn't fair too well on the Moupe. I managed to warped my crossed drilled rotors on canyon runs and street use

More info here => https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthr...highlight=warp

Thanks for the link, interesting, I'll have to keep an eye out for that.

86Zed · 10-03-2022, 01:58 PM

Journalists warped stock rotors at the Z4M press launch. If you are doing track work and are not the type to dial it back and take it easy, have a second set of more aggressive pads to swap in.

I run Akebono Euro on the street, PFC08 track. Heavy braking at the local tracks here...

07-10-2022, 04:16 PM	#1
grannyknot Captain 951 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4M coupe Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	brake pad recommendation 2008 Z4MC I just was looking through the brake pad section on ECS and there must 50 or more different types, where to start? I use my Z mostly for highway and secondary roads, if I'm lucky I get to the track once a year so brake fade isn't really something I encounter often. Should I just stick with stock? Thanks __________________ 2008 E86 M coupe
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07-11-2022, 09:20 AM	#2
bwright657 Second Lieutenant 258 Rep 208 Posts Drives: 08 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW Z4M Coupe [9.50] 1999 Mazda Miata [0.00]	I would order through FCP Euro so you can take advantage of their replacement policy for your next set of pads. Since you're so heavy on street driving, I would go for the Akebono or Hawk ceramics so you don't have as much brake dust to worry about. __________________ '08 Z4M Coupe \| Space Grey/Imola Red Extended/Carbon Leather \| Eventuri Intake \| Strömung Exhaust \| Strong Strut Front/Rear Braces \| 19" E46 M3 ZCP Wheels
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07-11-2022, 10:13 PM	#4
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	For one track event per year I would just stick to OEM equivalent pads. Forget any “aggressive” street pad as that’ll just be the worst of everything (loud, dusty, eats rotors, etc.) __________________ Follow for latest mods
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07-12-2022, 02:43 AM	#5
Coi First Lieutenant 289 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 21 X3 M40i, 07 Z4MR Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Cal iTrader: (0)	I have Stoptech Sport (semi-metallic) pads and they are extremely quiet but dust like crazy. They seem very similar to OEM though maybe hold up a little better to abuse. My car came with OEM pads and the dust on those was terrible too. I would pick them over OEM but try to find something less dusty if you can. I plan to track my car maybe once or twice per year with these but it still needs a bunch of little repairs before it's ready for that.
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07-12-2022, 05:57 PM	#6
MZHammer Lieutenant 45 Rep 516 Posts Drives: E85 Z4M, F82 M4 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hamilton, ON iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 M4 [0.00] 2006 BMW Z4M Roadster [0.00]	+1 for Akebono and FCP Euro. It's just a weekend car for me, with some spirited driving, and they have been great. Wheels stay nice and clean.
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07-14-2022, 05:26 AM	#7
maupineda Captain 456 Rep 975 Posts Drives: E86 Z4MC Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Detroit, MI iTrader: (3)	Stock, dont be lazy and clean the wheels when needed
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07-14-2022, 10:42 AM	#8
kyriian Captain 884 Rep 685 Posts Drives: 06 Black Sapphire Z4MR Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X5 [0.00] 2011 Scion tC [0.00]	Stoptech Sport, i used it on my MX5 and it manage to handle a little light lapping duty without too much issues. It does not dust like a race pad or even a dual purpose performance pad. __________________ Revolution of our Times I will return to the track, one day.
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07-22-2022, 08:49 PM	#9
TyzToyz Private 21 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Calgary, AB Canada iTrader: (0)	I have a set of yellow stuff pads for the front I picked up on sale. I have not installed them yet and not sure if I will use them. Not much mention of them on here or anywhere else for that matter. I may switch directions if I cannot find anything good about them. Tye
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07-23-2022, 03:17 PM	#10
wdb dances with roads 4718 Rep 4,096 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	My thought when I hear "Yellow Stuff" is "track pad". Is that why you got them?
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07-27-2022, 08:51 AM	#13
JustinHEMI Not great. Not terrible 7442 Rep 2,700 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Lebanon, TN iTrader: (2)	I am very happy with the Akebono that I got from FCP Euro. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...et-rear-eur683 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t-front-eur946 __________________ Current: 2024 BMW X3 M40i.
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07-27-2022, 04:27 PM	#15
wdb dances with roads 4718 Rep 4,096 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	My ex-indy liked Akebono. Not much dust. Decent performance.
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08-11-2022, 09:43 PM	#16
belcom Lieutenant 179 Rep 427 Posts Drives: '18 540i, '06 Z4si, '07 Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Installed a set of Akebono rotors and pads on my wife's Acura TLX recently and its not bad but I don't like the lack of initial bite. It makes it weird and not exactly predictable. Once you get on the brake pedal its feels good but braking does not feel linear overall. Rule of thumb though... no dust no brake power. I did not come up with that lol but it makes sense.
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09-07-2022, 01:41 AM	#17
ctdriver86 Private 14 Rep 64 Posts Drives: e46 m3 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Torrance iTrader: (1)	I'm running akebono euro pads for street since they have very low dusting. I've taken my car to the canyons and tested the brakes and they hold up to good pace with SS brake lines and project mu brake fluid. I'm very happy with this setup for street use.
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10-03-2022, 01:58 PM	#20
86Zed Get off my lawn 932 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: 6MT Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (7) Garage List 2023 GR Corolla [0.00] 2022 BMW X3 M40i [10.00] 2007 BMW Z4M Coupe [0.00] 2002 BMW 325xiT [0.00] 1991 BMW 318is [0.00]	Journalists warped stock rotors at the Z4M press launch. If you are doing track work and are not the type to dial it back and take it easy, have a second set of more aggressive pads to swap in. I run Akebono Euro on the street, PFC08 track. Heavy braking at the local tracks here...
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