Slotted or drilled rotors? Or both?

[IzzE46]

What do you recomend for my 97 528i? Slotted or drilled, or both types of rotors? Also which type of rotors are brake pad friendly? What pads are best to use with the rotors. What brand are best? I was thinking brembo rotors? What do you think? Help! I need to order them this week.

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

the slotted are ruff on the pads. and cross drilled ones warp easier. when you say brembo rotors, do you mean th real deal BBK, or just a brembo brand oem rotor. because all bmw rotors are brembo, not to mention a ton of other car brands. visually i like cross drilled better, i have no idea how you drive. i drive like a granny so if my rotors were tin they would still look new after a million miles. it kind of depends on your driving style

[IzzE46]

I drive like a granny too. I also want a good look.

[Dan]

what i've read, all brembo rotors are not cut or drilled. it's all done aftermarket and sold as "x-drilled brembos" which is right and wrong. x-drilled definately looks good and if it's done right, it'll never crack which i've seen happen before.

[Skipper5]

the slotted are ruff on the pads. and cross drilled ones warp easier. when you say brembo rotors, do you mean th real deal BBK, or just a brembo brand oem rotor. because all bmw rotors are brembo, not to mention a ton of other car brands. visually i like cross drilled better, i have no idea how you drive. i drive like a granny so if my rotors were tin they would still look new after a million miles. it kind of depends on your driving style


where does it say all bmw rotors are brembo? i've never heard of this and i'm wondering why so.

[IzzE46]

So what do you guys recomend? Slotted, drilled or both?

[The Beastmaster]

Get the solid rotors if you're only going to use them for the street.

[GNALUZU]

Slotted rotors are going to give better performance then drilled. However, both slotted or drilled will go through brake pads faster then the OEM rotors.

I went with the PowerSlot rotors from buybrakes.com, but keep in mind, my car sees a lot of track duty. I think the slotted rotors look great, but appearance was not even in consideration when I was shopping.

Good luck.

[IzzE46]

Reason I am considering drilled or slotted, is because they are about the same price as OEM. I am thinking if I can get better performance for the price, then why not?

[The Beastmaster]

Reason I am considering drilled or slotted, is because they are about the same price as OEM. I am thinking if I can get better performance for the price, then why not?
True, the prices are very close. As such, I'd go for the ATE slotted.

Fronts
$47 - ATE stocks
$56 - ATE Slotted
$60 - Zimmerman Cross drilled
$77 - Genuine BMW

[grapefury]

If you take a piece of metal and drill holes in it. The metal piece is now weaker than it was before.

[m_specs]

ive had xdrilled... and i will never get them again.. they dont stop quick enough for me.. id go slotted or stock..

[Mblaster]

I had a chance to closely examine some brakes on some M3's at fontana this weekend. Most of the guys run slotted BBK in front though there were a few who used drilled. I remember one Bimmer that ran a very unusual u shapes pattern as if they were slotted. Most ran solid bbk discs in back.

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

True, the prices are very close. As such, I'd go for the ATE slotted.

Fronts
$47 - ATE stocks
$56 - ATE Slotted
$60 - Zimmerman Cross drilled
$77 - Genuine BMW


who makes genuine bmw. you can get brembo stock rotors for 58.37 from http://www.autopartsauthority.com/ with free shipping

[Alan]

I always thought Balo and/or ATE were the OE suppliers?

[lovemye34]

i saw a bmw the other day and the guy had brembo brakes, but the rotor were wavy in concentric circles. anyone know what that is called? i havent seen them online, or anywhere else.

[thejlevie]

For what it's worth...

At a Rolex race last year when wandering the pits I didn't see a single car with cross-drilled rotors, but I did see lots of slotted rotors. That makes sense to me because the total surface in contact with the pads will be greater for a slotted rotor than for a cross-drilled rotor and the slots still provide a way for vaporized pad material to escape.

The cross-drilled look neat, but the racing folks appear to believe that slotted provides better braking...

[Skipper5]

who makes genuine bmw. you can get brembo stock rotors for 58.37 from http://www.autopartsauthority.com/ with free shipping


who makes genuine bmw? you already said brembo makes bmw oem in this very thread. now you're confusing me. please clarify.

[The Beastmaster]

who makes genuine bmw. you can get brembo stock rotors for 58.37 from http://www.autopartsauthority.com/ with free shipping
I have no idea, but those were prices from Eurasian Automotive. For some reason, you seem to be hung up on Brembo. Is it the name you are hung up on? The Brembo rotors for a BMW are just as good as ATE or Balo replacements. What Brembo made their reputation on is their BBK. In particular, their calipers.

At $58.37, I'd still buy the ATE Powerslots for $56.

[epj3]

I have no idea, but those were prices from Eurasian Automotive. For some reason, you seem to be hung up on Brembo. Is it the name you are hung up on? The Brembo rotors for a BMW are just as good as ATE or Balo replacements. What Brembo made their reputation on is their BBK. In particular, their calipers.

At $58.37, I'd still buy the ATE Powerslots for $56.
If you do a search, it seems the Balo rotors with mintex pads seem to be one of the absolute best combinations. I can definitely vouch for this.

[unesential]

It would depend on the apearance you want. As you stated you are not taking car to track. Cross drilled and slotted rotors are for performance driving and will eat brake pads. If you wnt to look like a racer then go with slotted. IMHO cross drilled look better. And dont forget to paint calipers

[sdwhitney]

Since we are on the subject of price, there is a group buy on some brakes and I am wondering what is best:

91-95 E34 Blank Brake Package
F/R Brembo blank rotors, F/R Axxis/PBR Ultimate pads, F/R brake wear sensors

$265.00 shipped to lower 48 states

91-95 E34 Cross Drilled Brake Package
F/R Zimmerman cross drilled rotors, F/R Axxis/PBR Ultimate pads, F/R brake wear sensors

$365.00 shipped to lower 48 states

What do you guys think?

[Dan]

For what it's worth...

At a Rolex race last year when wandering the pits I didn't see a single car with cross-drilled rotors, but I did see lots of slotted rotors. That makes sense to me because the total surface in contact with the pads will be greater for a slotted rotor than for a cross-drilled rotor and the slots still provide a way for vaporized pad material to escape.

The cross-drilled look neat, but the racing folks appear to believe that slotted provides better braking...

i don't think they go slotted because of surface area as much as when the rotor gets glowing hot and cools down at the rate they are, the x-drilled will crack between the holes. i've seen lots and lots of x-drilled crack or start to have hairline cracks. Slotted is the way to go.

[NJe39]

Blank/stock best way to go.

[Johnny 5]

The stock rotors that you ge through BMW are nice because the hats don't rust as easily. If you've got big wheels, you know how ugly rusty hats are.

The new M5 and M6 have crossed cast, I believe, rotors. I dont think BMW would drill them out. They must think that they make an improvment. And certainly one of the criteria they were going for was long life!

[m_specs]

anybody have p/n's for brembo rotors for e39 M5? i need to get rotors soon.

[IzzE46]

I think I am going with brembos drilled, because I am only driving around town, and will never track the car. I just like the look. I am worried about them cracking or eating up pads. What do you think if I just use them for daily driving? I know stock is the way to go for that, but once again, for the price I can get these. Here is what they look like.

[m_specs]

they look good... but you will notice considerable increase in stopping distance..

anybody know where i can get the OEM brembor rotors for the e39 M5?

[Skipper5]

they look good... but you will notice considerable increase in stopping distance..

anybody know where i can get the OEM brembor rotors for the e39 M5?

brian, why do you say the brembos will increase stopping distance?

[IzzE46]

I am assuming, from what I have read, the gases can escape better, resulting in less floating over brake pads.

[Skipper5]

INCREASE in stopping distance.

[m_specs]

yea... because w/ the cross drilled rotors, you lose braking surface.. so the car rolls into the stop, rather than stopping on the dime.. ya know what i mean? when i had the x drilled zimmerman rotors on my m3.. i absolutely hated them bc of that.. (given the way that i drive)

[m_specs]

the big break kits have cross drilled rotors because the calipers are so huge, that it compensates for the loss in braking surface.. plus, theyre meant for track use which requires the rotors be be cooled down.. and nobody really slows down on the track anywaz.. (compared to street driving/racing)

[IzzE46]

So you would not recomend the cross drilled for the daily driving on stock calipers? Should I get sloted? or stick to OEM?

[m_specs]

id get slotted if anything... or oem. my .02

[Dwayne]

yea... because w/ the cross drilled rotors, you lose braking surface.. so the car rolls into the stop, rather than stopping on the dime.. ya know what i mean? when i had the x drilled zimmerman rotors on my m3.. i absolutely hated them bc of that.. (given the way that i drive)I'm a bit unsure on this. My reasoning would be that an E39's stock brake system is sufficiently powerful to lock the wheels, even using cross drilled rotors. Therefore, even though you lose braking surface on the rotor, your braking distance should be the same since all other variables are unchanged.

I'm not arguing that you should use drilled rotors on the street, I'm just arguing a technical detail here. For street use I would use oem or slotted, preferably the former.

[m_specs]

ehh.. im not gonna argue w/ you dwayne.. because i really dont care... but if you take away braking surface... isnt that a big enough factor to decrease braking distance? i mean.. its obvious that theres less material for the pads to grip on to.


but anywaz.. im just giving a point of view based on experience w/ xdrilled rotors on my M3. my next rotors will be oem or slotted..

[Mblaster]

Thes guys seem pretty good.

http://www.buybrakes.com/

[captainM3]

Slotted rotors are going to give better performance then drilled. However, both slotted or drilled will go through brake pads faster then the OEM rotors.

I went with the PowerSlot rotors from buybrakes.com, but keep in mind, my car sees a lot of track duty. I think the slotted rotors look great, but appearance was not even in consideration when I was shopping.

Good luck.


I think it was true about slotted/drilled rotors reducing pad life but newer rotors (Like zimmermann or brembo) have smooth edges on the slots and holes so that they don't shave the pads down like you might think.
fwiw, I totally don't need either drilled or slotted but who doesn't like the racing look on your ride?

[Mjollnir]

Non modified will be the best on pad wear.

Unless you are running pads that produce a lot of gasses, slotted/drilled rotors won't give you any gain. The dimple/slot/hole is to prevent gasses from building up between the rotor and the pad. Un-necessary for the street.

If you want it for looks, get the drilled.

[m_specs]

i dont understand how there arent any oem brembo applications for the e39 M5!?

[Dwayne]

ehh.. im not gonna argue w/ you dwayne.. because i really dont care... but if you take away braking surface... isnt that a big enough factor to decrease braking distance? i mean.. its obvious that theres less material for the pads to grip on to.


but anywaz.. im just giving a point of view based on experience w/ xdrilled rotors on my M3. my next rotors will be oem or slotted..I wasn't trying to argue, it was moreso my own curiousity. I actually have no experience with slotted or drilled rotors on cars (just mountainbikes, so not much of a comparison), so I wanted to present my reasoning to see where mine is flawed. Just trying to learn something new. :)

[Mblaster]

i dont understand how there arent any oem brembo applications for the e39 M5!?


Call Andrew at Avus, bet he can get you some.

[m_specs]

I wasn't trying to argue, it was moreso my own curiousity. I actually have no experience with slotted or drilled rotors on cars (just mountainbikes, so not much of a comparison), so I wanted to present my reasoning to see where mine is flawed. Just trying to learn something new. :)

no worries dwayne.. i wasnt arguing anywaz.. hahhaa. i was just stating my opinion as well. im no racer, so what do i know. =P

thanks dan.. is avus a supporting vendor? any contact info?

thanks

[JW///AZ]

FYI...Slotted rotors are used to deglaze the brake pad surface... During prolonged contact to the rotor and hard breaking conditions (racing) break pads have a tendancey to build up a glaze.... Racers use them for this reason and they usually are not concerned about pad wear or brake dust.

[IzzE46]

I am going to go with the brembo drilled rotors, and PBR(Axxis) Deluxe Plus performance pads. I looked at the price of OEM vs. this setup, and the OEM was more expensive? I am also going with the brembos because of the look.

[m_specs]

damn.. i need new rotors.. and im not about to pay 300+ for one oem rotor. who makes aftermarket applications for the e39 m5. brembo doesnt =/

[Mblaster]

damn.. i need new rotors.. and im not about to pay 300+ for one oem rotor. who makes aftermarket applications for the e39 m5. brembo doesnt =/
Dang, are you sure?
They make them for my car now, drilled, slotted, or oem.
Call Andrew at Avus Autosport. Tell him I told you to call.
He'll find you something.

[m_specs]

yes seriously... i even went on brembo's site to find the m5 application.. its "to be announced".. then i go on bimmerparts.com to find oem rotors.. only to find them at almost 300 a piece!!!

then i go on turnermotorsports.com to see if they have any rotors.. m5 euro floating rotors over $500/pc!!!!!!

none on ebay.. none in the FS section..

do i need to sell my kidney to get a set of OEM brakes.. im not looking for a bbk or anything!! damn!

dan.. whats AVUS's number? i need a new set before bimmerfest.. thats for sure. =P

[Dan]

have you tried to contact Dave Zeckhausen? he's like the ultimate brake guy.

[Dwayne]

damn.. i need new rotors.. and im not about to pay 300+ for one oem rotor. who makes aftermarket applications for the e39 m5. brembo doesnt =/
Try emailing sales@performancepartsstore.com to see if they have anything for the M5. They have the group buy going on in the vendor forum, but I don't see any rotors for M5s listed. Worth a shot though, they do have M5 pads.

[IzzE46]

Ok, I am ready to buy, one last question, Zimmerman, or brembo? Which ones are best for our cars?

[IzzE46]

Anyone? Let me know, thanks!

[Skipper5]

Ok, I am ready to buy, one last question, Zimmerman, or brembo? Which ones are best for our cars?


thats a pretty vague question. what do you use your car for? care about lifetime? performance? look? BEST can mean different things for different people. gl with your decision. i'd go with the less expensive one. both are reputable brands.

[m_specs]

thanks dwayne.. i just emailed him.

[///M3CosmosJoe]

Just reading through everyones posts. Slotted rotors are designed to release the gases built up between the pad and rotor. This is why most GT cars and race cars that see nothing but track will run a slotted rotor. They are not concerned with pad life as much as they are concerned with brake fade. Drilled rotors were originally designed for braking in the wet, no one has touched on this. But my understanding is that cross-drilled rotors are designed to allow water to not get between the pad and rotor, which greatly increases braking in a wet conditions...again, on the track. This is why most Porsches come with drilled instead of slotted, to increase wet tracking for daily driven cars. And lately, I am slotted and drilled combined.

I am not a brake expert, but this is what I have read and heard amongst those who use them for what they are designed for and not just show. The best overall rotor for a street car would be OEM with good pads or slotted with even better pads, fluid, etc.

[m_specs]

good info =)

[IzzE46]

Just placed an order with Performance Parts Store in the group purchases forum. I went with the brembo blank (non-slotted, drilled) for the price. I was thinking the zimmerman's, but it was just cosmetics. They were very helpful and explained everything well. I was told that most of the brembo, zimmerman rotors are purchased blank and then the shops drill them. I was told that the zimmermans that they sell come drilled directly from zimmerman in the early stages of forming. So they were less pron to crack, and the brake pad wear was minimum. Also that I would not see much of a performance advantage with drilled.

[rney]

Just placed an order with Performance Parts Store in the group purchases forum. I went with the brembo blank (non-slotted, drilled) for the price. I was thinking the zimmerman's, but it was just cosmetics. They were very helpful and explained everything well. I was told that most of the brembo, zimmerman rotors are purchased blank and then the shops drill them. I was told that the zimmermans that they sell come drilled directly from zimmerman in the early stages of forming. So they were less pron to crack, and the brake pad wear was minimum. Also that I would not see much of a performance advantage with drilled.

The Performance Parts store in the group purchases don't offer the cross-drilled for an '01 530i

[Skipper5]

The Performance Parts store in the group purchases don't offer the cross-drilled for an '01 530i

yeah and he decided on the brembo blanks. whats your point? :confused

[Dwayne]

The Performance Parts store in the group purchases don't offer the cross-drilled for an '01 530iI think he meant non-slotted, non-drilled, maybe I'm wrong though. The rotors in the group buy for the 530 are Zimmerman fronts, Brembo rears. I thought he was ordering fronts... which would be Zimmerman... so I'm a bit confused, too. Maybe he emailed them for something special. :dunno

[jetmech3421]

I recently purchased a full set of Zimmerman drilled rotors and Hawk Street Performance pads. They have been a terrific improvement over what was on the car when I purchased it last October.

I purchased the rotors (fronts and rears) from www.sportbrakes.com for $320.00 shipped.

I performed a brake burn in procedure as outlined in various posts thoughout this forum. The braking is absolutely terrific with this set up just about putting you through the windshield under heavy braking! :buttrock

My factory Double Spoke II rims start to get a bit dusty after about 250 miles of mixed driving which is accecptable from my perspective.

[Dan]

i asked Dave Z about this and here's his response:



If you plan to track the car, then pick slotted rotors. But if your
use is limited to street and autocross, then drilled is the way to go.
They are about 1/3 pound lighter than slotted and the cracking is not a
problem unless you take the car to the track. Bite is slightly better
for drilled over slotted, but barely perceptible. The weight savings
is the primary advantage.

[Skipper5]

I think he meant non-slotted, non-drilled, maybe I'm wrong though. The rotors in the group buy for the 530 are Zimmerman fronts, Brembo rears. I thought he was ordering fronts... which would be Zimmerman... so I'm a bit confused, too. Maybe he emailed them for something special. :dunno

upon investigation (mainly because i'm bored at the moment) i went over and checked out the group buy. izzy posted stating he bought the brembo kit. i found what he bought:

"96-03 E39 Blank Brake Package (excluding M5, 00-03 530, 99-03 540)
F/R Brembo blank rotors, F/R Axxis/PBR Ultimate pads, F/R brake wear sensors

$275.00 shipped to lower 48 states"

case closed.

[Dwayne]

upon investigation (mainly because i'm bored at the moment) i went over and checked out the group buy. izzy posted stating he bought the brembo kit. i found what he bought:
...Izzy has a 528, rney's post confused me and made me think Izzy has a 530. I guess rney was refering to himself (since he has a 530), his post wasn't really concerning Izzy then.

I've thought about that same package Izzy bought. When mine need replacing, I might go with that. Ehhh... maybe not... I wouldn't mind a track day or two. :devillook