Best Brake Pad Choices

[Patrick]

I recently rebuilt my brakes with slotted discs in front and stock discs on the rear, with Raybestos QS Ceramics on all corners, plus Earl's stainless steel brake lines. I also was coming from a stock setup so the dust was terrible. I went with the Raybestos mostly on Bill R's recommendation, low dust and long wear. So far I'm happy with the setup. I also rebuilt the front calipers since I figured they needed it. The kit from BMA is cheap, like $3.00 ea. It's really easy to do if you use compressed air to take them apart and then to expand the new inner o-ring to put it back together -it's about impossible to do it without it.
Btw, I also installed a Sachs kit, M5 sways, uppers, lowers, links, adjustable front camber kit along with 17" rims -it's a lot better car imo. You won't regret doing any of those mods.

[Patrick]

http://www.bimmernut.com/wwwboard/e3...ges/56928.html
http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?p=4793
http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?p=6760
http://www.bimmernut.com/wwwboard/e3...ges/56953.html
http://www.holley.com/earlsplumbing/
http://www.speedbleeder.com/

I got the ss lines and speed bleeders from BMP Design. Mike's right, whatever you decide to do be sure to thoroughly flush the brake system with new ATE fluid (BMA of course).
Prior to the rebuild, my car was pulling on the left front and I was getting a lot of brake dust on that wheel. All of that is gone now.

[Robert K]

Copied the following text, which was written by Bill R, a long time ago and kept it for just such an occassion.

I wasn't going to get involved in this discussion, since with some people brake pads are like religion... However after watching the pad posts recently I couldn't keep my big mouth shut.
I have installed literally thousands of sets of pads on cars and trucks. These are strictly my own observations.
Jurid : Good pedal feel, low noise fairly rapid wear and dusty. Good street pad if you don't mind dust and lifespan.
Pagid: Ditto jurid, virtually the same thing.
Mintex: Jurid , Pagid clone, slightly less dusty.
Still good pedal feel, doesn't require a lot of pressure. These three are all good street pads with dust.
Performance friction and Performance friction z rated: This pad I have installed around 30 sets. I have not yet had a customer who was happy with them on a street car in the long run. Greater pedal effort, noise and buildup on rotors and warped rotors. I have ended up taking off every set I have sold for the street. (note, none of these were on bmw's however for what thats worth)
A couple of friends who race s.c.c.a. stuff use the z rated on the track and are happy with them. they typically change them after one day at the track.
Autozone duralast: Lifetime warranty, high noise level. Hard pedal feel. Fairly agressive on the rotors Very few people happy with these, although I do install a lot for the type of person who is oblivious to the brakes on his car. The car as appliance type of people. Not recommended by me.
Axxis Metalmasters:
I install a fair number of these. good pedal feel , low effort, lifetime warranty, low fade. Low noise and very little dusting.
PBR Metalmasters:
I didn't realize there was a difference in these until I got a set from Patrick and realized the compound looks different from the Axxis metalmaster. I haven't installed them yet so no opinion.
PBR Deluxe. Average pad, low dust, not the greatest pedal feel or stopping power. A good average pad for normal duty use.
Raybestos PG Plus: Lifetime warranty pad, low noise very good pedal feel, good stopping power, low dusting. I have installed about 30 sets of these on varying makes in the last 3 months and have been very pleased with the results. I have had no comebacks with these so far...I am going to try a set on my 535 instead of the metalmasters I ordered because of the results I have had on other cars. They have a satisfaction warranty as well. If you install them and aren't happy with them they will refund your money. I would try the next grade up which is a ceramic pad but its not available for bmw yet.
Hope this helps.

His words, not mine...

Grace and peace,

Robert K