I need new brakes & I'm looking for advice on brands I've not bought before

[Bee M Vee]

When I bought my 08 E61, it was my dream car. Only Bimmer I've ever owned. The only major complaint I've had is the brakes. I need new ones...again...which will be my 5th rotor change in the 7 years I've had the car.

Coming from driving Honda's since I'm 16, that's a hell of a lot of money in brakes.

I've had everything checked, bearings, alignment, all sorts and everything is sound as it should be; even had different mechanics do the work--from BMW dealerships to independent euro-specialists. But invariably, within about 12-18 months, I get the most atrocious chatter, violent even.

I don't know if that's just what BMW's do or not, but I'm willing to switch brands and see if that might help because right now I need brakes and can't afford the cost or the time it would take to further look into an issue that seems to have no answer.

So far I've used genuine BMW rotors and pads, EBC slotted and Red stuff pads and Zimmermann zinc coated rotors with...well I don't know what pads, but not 'performance' ones on this latest set.

For this purchase I'm looking into, I've had R1 Concepts recommended as a website, and the other brands I've heard about, in terms of ascending cost are Centric for $, Pagid for $$ and Brembo for $$$.

Just wanted to inquire about these brands and ask about any other suggestions that might be out there that will give me bang for my buck considering my dilemma of not being able to diagnose why my car eats rotors.

Thanks!

[pbonsalb]

It might be your driving style. You are probably leaving pad deposits on the rotors. Also don’t pull your parking brake up when the rotors are hot from using them during driving.

[Bee M Vee]

I appreciate the opinion, but it's definitely not my driving style. I drive quite conservatively anymore. And these last rotors only lasted me 4000 miles. So there's something wrong with the car for sure. But I can't afford to figure it out just now.

Furthermore, I never used the hand brake. But thanks for your opinion!

[jclausen]

What do you mean the rotors only lasted 4,000 miles, what happened to them. I just pad slapped my front brakes with textar. Something is going on if your brakes are only lasting a short amount of time. Calipers sticking. Not lubed right.

[CameronR]

Front, back, left or right? Which position are you seeing accelerated brake wear?

Sent from my LG-H915 using Tapatalk

[mrshaky]

I appreciate the opinion, but it's definitely not my driving style. I drive quite conservatively anymore. And these last rotors only lasted me 4000 miles. So there's something wrong with the car for sure. But I can't afford to figure it out just now.

Furthermore, I never used the hand brake. But thanks for your opinion!

What symptoms are you having? I'm guessing that you're getting pulsation. If so, try googling "lateral runout." Very common problem to have a few thousand miles into a brake job.

[aaron07]

Zimmermann with Akebono ceramic pads is a good combination.

[pbonsalb]

Maybe the ceramic pads will be less likely to leave deposits?