Need Some Brake Advice

[dannyzabolotny]

I've been looking at replacing my brake pads and rotors soon, because my brake pads are horrendously dusty and my rotors have massive lips. My brake pads right now take my clean wheels and make them all black and dirty after less than a week of normal driving (and I'm pretty easy on my brakes). So even if they're not totally worn, I'm getting rid of them.

This leads me to my question, which is what rotors would you guys recommend for Akebono pads? I'm pretty set on ceramic pads, as I value low dust over stopping power. I don't plan on tracking this car any time soon, so the slight loss in bite with the Akebonos is fine with me. I've been looking at Brembo rotors, are they significantly better than Meyle rotors? Ideally I'd love to get them through FCP Euro for that lifetime warranty (aka I'll never have to pay for brakes ever again).

Also, is brake anti-squeal paste actually needed? I see a lot of brake kits include that.

[gmak]

1. I like the Zimmerman coated - but then again, I live in Winter-rust country. The Brembos are good. Given your application, I would avoid slotted and drilled and just go for something regular. I would look for the least expensive reputable-name rotor you can find. Note that the rear rotors and pads are the same as for the I6 vehicles.
2. the anti-squeal paste is great. The squealing happens because the pad vibrates incredibly fast and where it is in contact with the caliper, it generates that squealing noise just because of the frequency of the vibration. If you put the paste on the back of the pad where it contacts the caliper - both pads - and some on the little horns that hook onto the caliper and will 'slide' when the pads move to contact the rotor, then you shouldn't have any squealing. It is NOT a function of the type of pad.

[philly98540]

I put these on a while back and could not be happier. They are a fantastic street pad. A little pricey, but how often do you change pads... See my thoughts here:
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2185967-Carbotech-Brake-Pads-Street-Compound-1521-anyone-use-em-and-have-feedback

[dannyzabolotny]

1. I like the Zimmerman coated - but then again, I live in Winter-rust country. The Brembos are good. Given your application, I would avoid slotted and drilled and just go for something regular. I would look for the least expensive reputable-name rotor you can find. Note that the rear rotors and pads are the same as for the I6 vehicles.
2. the anti-squeal paste is great. The squealing happens because the pad vibrates incredibly fast and where it is in contact with the caliper, it generates that squealing noise just because of the frequency of the vibration. If you put the paste on the back of the pad where it contacts the caliper - both pads - and some on the little horns that hook onto the caliper and will 'slide' when the pads move to contact the rotor, then you shouldn't have any squealing. It is NOT a function of the type of pad.

Thanks for the tip! I thought about the Zimmermans, but I really never have to deal with moisture here in Arizona, so it would be a waste. I think I might just go with the Brembos. I wasn't planning on going for slotted/drilled rotors, because from what I've heard, those are mostly for looks in street applications.

I didn't know that about the anti-squeal paste, so thanks for informing me about that!

[aspensilver540]

I was browsing the FCP site and gonna get Brembo in rear and Zimmerman in front (just based on price/quality). Might as well email FCP and ask if they have Zimmerman in the back, I also like getting anti-rust coat on the rotors, even though most of the time they are covered in brake dust, it sucks to wash your wheels to see rust. I was going to get PAGID/Jurid front/rear pads as I like OEM feel and don't mind washing, but another member showed me UUC's current deal -- 4 rotors, 4 pads, was only $244 shipped to my door. Still valid today http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/uuc/articles/specials.htm
We don't know a lot about how great they'll be but for me the price was right to give them a whirl, even if not everyone seems to like Hawk Pads. I may also not have the car more than one brake job's life so that's why I didn't go FCP.

[auaq]

For absolute dustless pads just go for the Akebono pads. Just know that you will lose that OEM brake bite. It will feel kind of soft or 'mushy', but they do perform great. Just not enough bite, but 99.99% dust free. You'll easily forget about cleaning your front wheels from every week to now just 3-4 weeks. For rotors I'm not sure which is the best. Never tried the Zimmermans before but I do have Brembo discs in the rears and I believe I have Wearever (Weaver?) discs in the fronts. The front rotors were good for about a year before they started developing a little brake pulsation. I resurfaced them, If I remember correctly I did two cuts on both sides, and they've been good ever since for almost two years now.

[FCPEuro]

I've been looking at replacing my brake pads and rotors soon, because my brake pads are horrendously dusty and my rotors have massive lips. My brake pads right now take my clean wheels and make them all black and dirty after less than a week of normal driving (and I'm pretty easy on my brakes). So even if they're not totally worn, I'm getting rid of them.

This leads me to my question, which is what rotors would you guys recommend for Akebono pads? I'm pretty set on ceramic pads, as I value low dust over stopping power. I don't plan on tracking this car any time soon, so the slight loss in bite with the Akebonos is fine with me. I've been looking at Brembo rotors, are they significantly better than Meyle rotors? Ideally I'd love to get them through FCP Euro for that lifetime warranty (aka I'll never have to pay for brakes ever again).

Also, is brake anti-squeal paste actually needed? I see a lot of brake kits include that.

Hello, I figured I would chime in here quickly. This is Gareth at FCP Euro. If dust free brake operation is something that you want my recommendation is the Akebono EUR ceramic pads. I have some personal experience with them on an array of vehicles and have found their performance to be more than sufficient. They tend to have a little less initial bite than your OE semi metallic pad when cold but once they are up to temperature they seem to have the same type of performance as many of the OE pads do, at least from what I could tell.

In regards to brake rotors I've used the Meyle Platinums on just about every brake job I've done for family and friends in the last few years. The only reason I have't used them on my own vehicles is because none of my cars have a Meyle application. At the price point you really can't go wrong. We sell Meyle rotors regularly and I can't recall speaking to customers about any performance issues. The GEOMET coating is nice from a corrosion stand point but may rotors are coming coated out of the box because the coating prevents rusting in the box as well as added protection once on the vehicle. Additionally, coated rotors do not need to be cleaned/wiped down prior to installation. Coating brake rotors more or less has become an industry standard. Even Genuine replacement rotors are coming coated in many applications now. While Zimmermann rotors are good I don't personally find them to be worth the premium over Meyle rotors when comparing OE style blank rotors.

In regards to brake pad paste it should primarily be used on anything the brake pads touch that is metal. I used to lubricate guide pins but do not do it anymore as I found out that brake lube can actually hinder their operation. As long as the dust boots are on the carrier the guide pins should be installed dry. I use anti squeal paste on the parts of the backing plate that sit on the caliper carrier to ensure the pads can move freely. On many pads with integrated shims you do not need to worry about lubricating the back side of them.

[dannyzabolotny]

Thanks for the input!

So is there a significant difference between a Meyle rotor and a Brembo rotor? My rotors are way past the point of being resurfaced, and my front left one has a pretty deep groove in it from some rock that got caught in between the pad and rotor.

[philly98540]

Danny, you look at those Carbotech pads I posted above? I've tried Akebono and many many others. Carbos are better overall. Jim L drove it and really liked them too. Less dust but still good bite.

[JimLev]

Danny, the pads that Philly has are the ballz. I drove his sc540 a few weeks ago. From triple digit speed it stopped FAST.
My first ride in his car when philly was driving he was still accelerating like a mother as we were coming up on traffic. I was starting to wonder if we were going to be able to stop in time. Not a problem, plenty of room. Those pads are great, my next set will be these.
Ive got Brembo rotors, they are at least 10 years old with 80k on them, almost no lip on them. Great rotors.

[FCPEuro]

Thanks for the input!

So is there a significant difference between a Meyle rotor and a Brembo rotor? My rotors are way past the point of being resurfaced, and my front left one has a pretty deep groove in it from some rock that got caught in between the pad and rotor.
Onky difference really is that the Meyle rotors are GEOMET coated while the Brembo rotore have something call a UV coating. Instead of the whole rotor being coated like the Meyles, Brembo has the internal venting and rotor hat painted.

[gmak]

There is actually an official dealer for Carbotech up here in Canada. Thanks for the tip guys.