It is that simple, you just need to spray every 10 miles

 

Hawk Ceramics and Zimmermanns just ordered. $260 for front set shipped.

 

You're not going to beat OEM performance without upgrading the calipers. Pad/Rotor changes are for looks and ease of cleaning only! Personally, I've found the factory 535i sport wheels very easy to clean, provided you keep one or more good coats of carnuba wax on them. It's worth the effort, as you can then take a leaf blower and blow off more than 90% of the brake dust without ever touching the wheels in between washing/waxing!

 

Akebono & Zimmerman combo here. No problems and zero dust for about a year now.

 

I think there's a misconception here. I have R1 Concepts rotors (drilled) and Hawk HPS pads, and they work great. Now, there is a little less initial bite, but the braking performance is not compromised. I think some are mistaking a little less initial bite for less performance, not true. My brakes work perfectly fine, the car stops straight and true, and take no longer than with OEM pads/rotors. I would bet my stopping performance is improved over OEM since I have also added stainless brake lines and blue racing brake fluid, which might require more heat to reach peak effectiveness, but I've always been a late braker anyway, so I have no problem building heat in my brakes.

 

I am in need of replacing rotors and pads front and rear. I was thinking of going with Zimmerman rotors and oem pads. Is anyone running this setup? I hears Zimmerman Rotors were very reputable and although I hate the brake dust oem pads produce, I love the feel of the initial bite and overall brake feel of oem.

 

amazon.com has BMW Genuine Front Brake Pads for E60 5 Series - 525i N52 SEDAN (2004 - 2006), 530i SEDAN (2002 - 2007) at $124.59+shipping

& the BMW Genuine Rear Brake Pads for E60 E61 5 Series - 525i 525xi 530i 530xi at $119.94+shipping

I had R1 Concepts BLANK rotors (E-Line OE Replacement Rotors) with Hawks HPS pads w/ new sensors. It squeaks during cold & when wet (car wash) but goes away after warming up. I get good amount of brake dust, but not excessive. After about 20-25k miles, i needed to change out the pads. Keeping the rotors, but just changing pads.

Your post made me think about debating between BMW oem pads, or Hawks HPS pads.

 

Wife's '07 530i with 84,000 highway miles showing pads service sign for the first time and here I am trying to figure out which way to go?

So would it be necessary to do the rotors at the same time or shall I just urn them as they are OEM?

I know I personally don't like brake dust but for wife I might just have to go with the OEM brake pads route?

 

Well I posted this well over a year ago and can now say with certainty that the combination of Akebono pads with the Zimmerman rotors has been JUST AWESOME! Yes, they don't grip as well as OEM pads do (I'd say 85-90% though), but not having to constantly clean the brake dust off has been a real time-saver. I would highly recommend this combination to anyone.

 

Have you notice any noise/squeek/squeal from this combo, I had R1 Concepts rotors (drilled) and Hawk HPS pads, they looked great but the squeal drove me to go back to zimmerman rotors and OEM pads. Now I have a set of hardly used R1 concept rotors and pads in the garage If you get no squeal and less dust, I'd probably switch the pads to Akebono, cause the brake dust is just unreal with the OEM pads! I went as far as waxing my wheels special wax for wheels can't remember the name.