Need new pads

[HokieZHP]

Hey guys so while I was measuring my BMW performance rotors for wear (which they seem to be relatively new!) I noticed my rear pads are oddly worn. The outer pads are almost gone and the inner pads look almost new. :help

Any idea why this is happening?

Also I do need new pads now I guess. Any suggestions? I'd like a performance oriented pad that doesn't fade much but won't destroy my rotors quickly.

[Hermes]

Maybe the rotor is not on perfectly flat on the hub or the carrier bolts are not tightened down all the way?

[HokieZHP]

But it's like that on both sides. Pretty equally too...?

I'm confused. The pads were uneven when I bought the car last year so maybe the previous owner replaced only the inner pads?? I have no idea.

Either way I need new rear pads haha.

Any suggestions for a performance, low fade street pad?

Pics:
Right rear outer
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c115-ae1c-9f70.jpg

Right rear inner:
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c115-ae49-0b1b.jpg

Left read outer:
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c115-ae65-0ceb.jpg

Left rear inner:
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4c115-ae81-bf70.jpg


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[danewilson77]

Will be watching this thread as I will be due for rotors and pads in next few months.

I am looking at the Zimmerman Coat Z Sports w/ PBR Ultimate ceramic pads. Will use the Zimmerman coat Z's (Non-Sport) for the rear.

Front/Rear Rotors

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=o22x3oqowfkpus554aqqoz45&makeid=800003@BMW&modelid=1423617@330I&year=2004&cid=14@Brake%20%26%20Wheel%20Hub&gid=1896@Brake%20Disc/Brake%20Rotor

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/zimmermann-crossdrilled-rotors.jpg

Front Pads

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1149-axxis-ultimate-brake-pads-front-e32-e34-e36-m3-e46-330-e46-m3-mz3-mz4-z4-30si.aspx

Rear Pads

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1148-axxis-ultimate-brake-pads-rear-e46-330-m3-e39-m5-e38-e53-x5-e83-x3-z4-m-z8.aspx

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/pbr_ultimate_rear.jpg

@ NJ > Were all four corners done, regarding pads, at the same time?

[HokieZHP]

Will be watching this thread as I will be due for rotors and pads in next few months.

I am looking at the Zimmerman Coat Z Sports w/ PBR Ultimate ceramic pads.

@ NJ > Were all four corners done, regarding pads, at the same time?

Didn't you just do BMWP rotors in the past year or so?


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[danewilson77]

Didn't you just do BMWP rotors in the past year or so?


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Yessir.....but 2 things.

1. I do not think the longevity of those performance rotors is very good. I believe KG has swapped his out as well.

2. I drive 30k miles a year.....so....I'm thinking I have around 30k-35k on these. I had about 2 mm to min spec last time I measured.

[Hermes]

I bought these when I changed mine

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/DSC_1272.jpg

front
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Braking/Pads/ES240588/

rear
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Braking/Pads/ES240592/

--------------------------------

Looking at the pics I can't really see the difference in the pads, can you measure so we have an exact difference (1-2 mm or what?). Also, why don't you just pull the pads and see if they are the same. It would be weird if po only changed 1/2 pads per wheel since pads come in a set of 4

[AzkotikBMW]

I just did a whole new brake/rotor job on my M3. I went with Bimmerworld's Performance Friction pads. These are the same ones that they use on their race cars, and seem to hold up amazing!

http://store.bimmerworld.com/performance-friction-new-z-rated-carbon-metallic-brake-pads-p721.aspx

For rotors I went with Turner Motorsports Slotted rotors. I love the way the Drilled & Slotted look, but I still don't buy that drilling holes into the metal is a good idea.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-532-gas-slotted-brake-rotors-front-e46-330ici-z4-30si-pair.aspx

Once I did the bed in process with these, they have been amazing!

[HokieZHP]

Hermes, how do you like those pads?

[Hermes]

I like them, they feel much better than the OEM I had before (but those pads + rotors were pretty worn). They dust less than OEM, this is about 2 weeks worth of dust (with a few days of rain last week)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/917c01a6.jpg



I just did a whole new brake/rotor job on my M3. I went with Bimmerworld's Performance Friction pads. These are the same ones that they use on their race cars, and seem to hold up amazing!

http://store.bimmerworld.com/performance-friction-new-z-rated-carbon-metallic-brake-pads-p721.aspx

Tom (blablac) got those same pads and he likes them a lot (also has the Performance rotors). I almost bought them myself but decided to go with the Hawk since I know a lot of people that use and like their products

[brettbimmer]

I just did a whole new brake/rotor job on my M3. I went with Bimmerworld's Performance Friction pads. These are the same ones that they use on their race cars, and seem to hold up amazing!

http://store.bimmerworld.com/performance-friction-new-z-rated-carbon-metallic-brake-pads-p721.aspx

For rotors I went with Turner Motorsports Slotted rotors. I love the way the Drilled & Slotted look, but I still don't buy that drilling holes into the metal is a good idea.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-532-gas-slotted-brake-rotors-front-e46-330ici-z4-30si-pair.aspx

Once I did the bed in process with these, they have been amazing!

Awesome to hear that the Performance Friction pads are treating you well. They look like a great pad for a very performance street setup, and I have been eyeballing them for the ZHP. In the past, I have run Hawk HPS on a lighter Bimmer, and I was not overly impressed.

[AzkotikBMW]

Yea, they are great! I would definitely recommend them to anyone that's looking for new pads!

[HokieZHP]

What's the difference between the z rated pads you got and these?

http://store.bimmerworld.com/performance-friction-carbon-metallic-street-brake-pads-p1074.aspx


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[Hermes]

^ looks like those are discontinued and on close out special pricing, the Z rated version is the replacement (and maybe better technology)

[AzkotikBMW]

They are made of the same carbon metallic compound, but the Z-rated ones are specifically made for cars that do a little tracking or Auto-X. They perform a little better while under extreme heat from constant hard braking.

If you don't Auto-x or track your car, I would go with the regular set. They are amazing for that price.

[HokieZHP]

For those who have them, how's the fade? Thanks Hermes, I think I'll go with the Z rated ones then, assuming the fade is decent. I do some spirited driving and may get into auto-x in the future so I'll get the z-rated ones.


Will I need to replace brake fluid during this as well?

[AzkotikBMW]

For those who have them, how's the fade? Thanks Hermes, I think I'll go with the Z rated ones then, assuming the fade is decent. I do some spirited driving and may get into auto-x in the future so I'll get the z-rated ones.


Will I need to replace brake fluid during this as well?

I haven't seen any fade at all, but mine have only been on for about 5k miles.

When I replaced mine, I bled them to make sure there weren't any air bubbles, but my reservoir was still at max after I was done. So I didn't need to refill with any brake fluid. Its not a bad idea to keep some on hand "just in case" though!

[HokieZHP]

Good deal. I actually realized that Bimmerworld is like 20 minutes away from me haha so I'm just going to go out there and get them tomorrow.

What type of brake fluid would you all recommend?

[Hermes]

Super Blue, makes it easy to tell when the system is fully bled

[kayger12]

Yessir.....but 2 things.

1. I do not think the longevity of those performance rotors is very good. I believe KG has swapped his out as well.


Actually still running them. No wear issues so far.

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[kayger12]

Super Blue, makes it easy to tell when the system is fully bled

This.

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[danewilson77]

Actually still running them. No wear issues so far.

Sent with Droid Fighter envy

Copy. My bust. KG....have you measured them? How many miles on them? Like I said....I have about 32k on them with about 1mm left.....and I do mainly highway miles. To me...that seems fairly rapid....as I am sure oem's were still on there at 98k miles.

Maybe that last 1mm will last another 50k miles or so:/

[kayger12]

I haven't measured them yet.They were on there when I bought the car and I've put almost 20K on her.

There is a very slight hint of a lip at the top of the rotors, so they're worn a little bit, but I don't think that much.

I'm really easy on brakes, though.

I'll have to pick up a measuring tool and check them.

[danewilson77]

I'll have to pick up a measuring tool and check them.

Done yet? What's the measurement? C'mon broseph...out with the data.

[kayger12]

:rofl

[HokieZHP]

Mine were in the car when I bought it and I've put 20k on mine and I just measured them and got measurements around 25mm up front and 22mm in the back. Which I believe is right at what they are new?

I'm hard on my brakes too


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[HokieZHP]

Picked these up today.

http://img.tapatalk.com/62f90788-2b72-29fa.jpg


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[AzkotikBMW]

Picked these up today.

http://img.tapatalk.com/62f90788-2b72-29fa.jpg


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Awesome! They also sent me a TON of swag when I ordered mine for mentioning they had a great race season last year and couldn't wait to watch again this season. I got a lanyard, license plate cover, bottle opener, and a ton of decals.

You won't be disappointed with the brakes, they are superb!

[danewilson77]

Swag is good.

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[AzkotikBMW]

Swag is good.

:thumbup

[HokieZHP]

So what do I do with the sensors if these pads don't have sensors?...


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[danewilson77]

You mean there's not place to clip them in? I suppose, if you're going to go ahead and use them (the pads) , just roll em up nice and neat and zip tie them to something.

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[HokieZHP]

I'll check again. I didn't look very closely.

Btw I just went back to bimmerworld and picked up more goodies! :) will post when I get home.


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[HokieZHP]

EDIT: I'm an idiot. There is a place for the sensor. It's just different than the brakes on my last car.

[danewilson77]

EDIT: I'm an idiot. There is a place for the sensor. It's just different than the brakes on my last car.

Copy. Should look like a "c"

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[HokieZHP]

Yeah like dis?

3812


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[kayger12]

^ Yep, that's it.

[danewilson77]

Did you end up getting the "Z" rated ones or the $39.99 fronts?

[HokieZHP]

Z-rated all around.


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[danewilson77]

Z-rated all around.


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Copy.

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[HokieZHP]

Ok so after a few days of driving these new pads. They are very squeaky/squeely and have a very bad drone whenever I brake. It's very audible inside the car. Any ideas why this is?

[derbo]

did you put anti-squeal compound on the back of the brake pads?

[HokieZHP]

No sir, none came with them, so I did not think they needed it. Would that cure the drone as well or...?

They were not squeaky until today though. They were fine before, and then I did some hard braking today and they started squeaking very loudly.

[danewilson77]

Go get some anti-squeal and hit the friction points.

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[HokieZHP]

Can that just be picked up at autozone?

[danewilson77]

Can that just be picked up at autozone?

Yes.

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[HokieZHP]

Alright I'll get some. I'm confused though because I just went for a drive and they were silent, yet last night I did a spirited drive and once they warmed up they squeaked and droned, etc.


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[bimmeryota]

Probably because they were just breakin in. The noise is normal if you don't put that stuff on the back of the pads during the install, it basically absorbs the vibration from the friction of the pad to the rotor. I didn't put enough on my rears and they make noise from time to time but not as bad as my track pads...

[AzkotikBMW]

I usually put break caliper grease on the back of the pad (and anywhere else that touches metal to metal), this will help a lot!

Also, did you do the bed-in process after they were installed? This will get the rotors and brakes acquainted :P

You can find the suggested bed-in procedure here: http://www.coordsport.com/blog/2010/05/performance-friction-brakes-bedding-in-procedure/

[danewilson77]

Another brake bed procedure here... In "Technical"

http://www.zeckhausenracing.com/

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[05ZHPCPE]

I just did my brakes and went with BavAuto's. I cannot paste a direct link, but the PN is "UBK E464FR" The Upgrade kit includes Ultimate brake rotors, stainless steel brake lines, Cool Carbon S/T pads, brass caliper bushings, sensor wires, ATE Super brake fluid, Sta-Lube caliper grease, Noise Free anti-squeal compound and hold-down bolts for $900. I've only put 1000 miles on the set up, and have no complaints. I threw on MGP caliper covers just to complete the look...(need to update my sig)

[HokieZHP]

If I were to clean off the rotor surface with brake cleaner, could I re-do the bedding procedure? I did one but wasn't as detailed as the ones posted.


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[RoCo]

Your brake noise problems are probably related to your uneven wear problems that you initially noted. The uneven wear is likely caused by a slightly binding caliper guide pins. When you replaced the pads the did you completely clean up the caliper, including cleaning up and re-lubing the guide pins and moving/mating surfaces? If you haven't, I would start here. As for re-mating the surface, a couple of passes with a flat file across the pads should do the job.

Ro

[HokieZHP]

Roger thank you sir. Ill do tjat


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[zhp43867]

Yea, they are great! I would definitely recommend them to anyone that's looking for new pads!

+1 Performance Friction Z are great. Seemingly equal or better performance than the OEM pads stopping wise, with less dust (if you don't beat it), less smell, and better modulation.