Unless you're planning on driving in the next local GP the blue will be more than adequate.
Big, Big Time Poster
Blue should be fine.
Unless you're planning on driving in the next local GP the blue will be more than adequate.
Major Contributor
Since you are talking about performance and adding the Sachs kit I am thinking more about the performance of the brake pad. Usually dustless and performance do not go hand in hand. There are dustless pads that work close to stock, those that need to be heated up first, those that need to be pushed harder to reach a threshold for better braking, and those that squeal either when pushed hard or under light load.
Now I was concerned before about dust and had PBRs as well as Axxis deluxe plus. I finally put Axxis Ultimates on and they are the best street pad in performance I have ever tried. The dust is more gray than stock and it performs well even when cold. Plus, they do not squeal at all! You will be addicted to its stopping power. When it comes to the safety of braking, I don't take a chance and say what is adequate, especially with my spirited driving style. I have had the Axxis Deluxe plus pads and the PBRs fade during spirited runs and even glazed the Deluxe Plus. The Ultimates are up to the task.
FYI: don't forget to wax your wheels. It makes it harder for pad dust to stick and it makes the dust easier to clean.
Last edited by Brandon J; 10-13-2004 at 02:07 PM.
Brandon J
Big, Big Time Poster
Aren't PBRs/Axxis semi-mets? Shouldn't we stick to ceramic? Are PBRs/Axxis made by the same company? I see them often listed together. Anyone else use Axxis? By now I think I'm even more confused!! I'm hearing good/bad things about every type of pad out there. LOL!! Never knew there were so many choices. I defintely want better than stock....don't need a trackstyle pad with high fade resistance either....Just a street-type pad for brisk/spirited driving, no sqeual, low dust and can halt the car on a dime.
Last edited by rockyfeller; 10-13-2004 at 05:23 PM.
King Of NYC
4 Grand Master
I use Axxis MetalMaster... Rock solid braking performance with zero dust and zero fade. I have PBR Ultimate on my other car... Ultimate is ceramic and is dusty... one fuel tank is one week OEM pad.
As for the Brake fluid... the reason they have blue and gold is so when you flush them out... you can tell where old fluid ends and new come out. It's the same stuff with different coloring. You definitely need to bleed your brake system... 540i brake are monster!
I try Raybestos QS
I've used PBRs/Axxis deluxe and semi-mets, on a total of 3 different 525i's, I cannot get them to stop squealing. I run the semi metalics on the E30 and have a hard time getting them to squeal even after the abuse of a track day (not a good track pad). On the 5, the last pads were EBC and while quiet and dust free, the rears didn't last too long, maybe 30 to 40k. The fronts are doing better. I replaced the rears and will replace the fronts with Raybestos QS pads and have been happy. Don't have long term-life test results. The Raybestos QS are easier to come by and are cheaper.
Warren
91 318is
95 525iT
Major Contributor
PBR and Axxis may be the same company, but may not have the same compounds. Yes the metalmasters under both brands are known to be noisy. The Axxis Ultimates is a kevlar-ceramic compound and it does NOT squeal. Besides the usual dust (less than stock), everything else is better, heh well less longevity. Though it still lasts long, pad bite, coefficient of friction, noise, pedal feel, temp range, cold pad bite, etc. are much much better. Here is a link for a comparo to the Deluxe Plus, Metal Master & Ultimates: http://www.zeckhausen.com/axxis_pads.htm#Compare
Semi-metallics with any brand have been known to squeal, that is why they headed towards the ceramics. One thing I did notice, contrary to the graphs, is that on several cars, including e39 and e34 M5 brakes, the noise is actually a lot less on the ultimates than the Deluxe PLus. The Deluxe plus tend to squeal under light load and slow moving. The Ultimates just don't squeal!
The graphs sometimes have to be interpreted. I have noticed that the fade is equal for the PLus and Ultimates on the graph, but that is in the operating range of the pad. The Ultimates have a much higher operating range and thus does not drop off in performance like the Plus. Also, regarding rotor life. I have noticed that I as well as others have acquired glaze spots on their rotors. Well, that is because the pads, such as the Plus and other pads in its temp range (low dust type), can have a tendency to glaze to mirror like finish under our performance use... performance tuned cars. So, you could easily damage a rotor from one spirited drive and then the rotor would have a much shorter life. That also goes true for throwing away glazed pads in regards to pad life.
I cannot say enough about the Ultimates for the performance enthusiast They are just awesome. Oh, one last thing, every Stoptech kit comes with Ultimates.
The stock Pagid or Jurid are still very good, they just don't have as much bite, are very dusty, cost more and have a lower temp range than other pads out there.
Originally Posted by WarrenBrown
Last edited by Brandon J; 10-13-2004 at 10:48 PM.
Big, Big Time Poster
Thanx Brandon!
King Of NYC
Big, Big Time Poster
Like both the ultimates and metalmasters.
Yeah a little late to the party......
A set of Metal Masters on the SE-R and a set of Ultimates on the 3er.
I installed both sets myself (ok drivers side on the 3er) and have NO squealing whatsoever. New rotors but reused shims and springs. And we are very anal about proper bed-in here @ Pablo's Garage. It's fun too.
Haven’t had a chance to track either myself tho. They do need the slightest bit of warm up for good bite. Just slightly soft in the 1st application or two of a drive, nothing dangerous. After that they’re grrrreat. Nice modulation, good feel, i like em both.
Final choice would depend on any price difference and whether one is planning any track visits.
I have a set of dedicated race pads for the Sentra (u wanna talk squeal and rotor wear *rolleyes*) so i feel set either way.
93 SE-R ‘Jenny’---94 530iT&A ‘Helga’---92 325i ‘Rolf’ ….”Hang up & Drive!”
”It is not the function of our government to keep the citizen from falling into error;
It is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error."--Robert H. Jackson.
4 Grand Master
I agree... Axxis and PBR is not the same material.
Big, Big Time Poster
A couple more brake questions...While I focus on my brakes, I may as well do everything necessary to make them optimum-- If I need to consider rotors, why go with the stockers? Any of you guys use the Brembo rotors? I don't expect them to work like a big-brake kit....but is it worth the brand name? There are others like Zimmerman that are cross-drilled; aside from dissipating heat better, are there any other advantages? And secondly, I want that instant strong, effortless kind of brake response you can get from an E39 or E46. Would stainless steel brake lines make a difference? Anybody done it? Worth $100?
King Of NYC
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