e60 550i Brake Pads
09-05-2012, 08:41 AM
#1
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My Ride: 2006 550i SMG
116K miles and still a solid performer! Need to replace brake pads and probably rotors. I'm on only the 2nd set of front pads intalled under original maint program around 75K miles ago (rears are original!)...so OEM may be the way to go but interested in other member opinions please.
09-05-2012, 08:45 AM
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My Ride: 2007 530xi: Sport, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, HD Radio, SAT, Custom NCS coded options 2008 535xi: Sport, Night Vision, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, SAT, Custom NCS coded options, Rear Seat Heat Retrofit, Passport 9500ci
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
Sounds like the OEM has worked well for you. I see no reason to change. Others have the risk of squeaks that you can't get rid of.
09-05-2012, 09:22 AM
#3
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You may want to think about getting ceramic pads to cut down on the brake dust. That's what I plan to do.
09-05-2012, 09:39 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i sport package
I like the OEM, but hate the brake dust. I don't know whether the low dust pads have the same feel of the OEM. The indy shops I've talked to all said to stay with the OEM, but from their point of view I can see why because if you stay OEM, you know what you have. However, the low dust pads sound pretty tempting. Hopefully someone with aftermarket pads will chime in with an unbiased review.
09-05-2012, 09:45 AM
#5
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My Ride: 2006 550i SMG
I guess I should add dust has never been a problem for 2 reasons: I drive mostly freeway/highway so not a lot of stop and goes and second I'm lucky that my rims are anodized silver and brake dust doesn't seam to stick to them! That said, I may actually change rims too as I've had them since day one and would like to update the look given a new 5er in my future is only a dream with 5 kids in school for the next XXYears!
Anyone have thoughts on the rotors?
Anyone have thoughts on the rotors?
09-06-2012, 08:51 AM
#6
Just had a full brake job with OEM rotors & Stop Tech performance pads, which are the ones ST includes in their BBKs. Dust is greatly reduced, braking performance is good after initial bed-in. Without driving it back to back aggressively with a full-stock setup I can't really compare the two, but performance seems on par with the stock pads, which are very good pads.
After seeing the new replacement two-piece OE rotors, with the aluminum hats, I can't imagine doing anything other than OE for replacement rotors. I don't believe the original stock rotors on my car were as nice or nice looking behind my wheels as these discs. Same discs used as replacements for 550s as well.
After seeing the new replacement two-piece OE rotors, with the aluminum hats, I can't imagine doing anything other than OE for replacement rotors. I don't believe the original stock rotors on my car were as nice or nice looking behind my wheels as these discs. Same discs used as replacements for 550s as well.
09-08-2012, 06:29 PM
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i "Ben Hogan's 5 Iron"
SilverGrey/Black Sport, L7, NAV, CW, AS, Split FR
2003 Audi A4 3.0 CVT "Part of the Moniker"
Silver/Ebony, Prem, CW, Star 17s
Just had a full brake job with OEM rotors & Stop Tech performance pads, which are the ones ST includes in their BBKs. Dust is greatly reduced, braking performance is good after initial bed-in. Without driving it back to back aggressively with a full-stock setup I can't really compare the two, but performance seems on par with the stock pads, which are very good pads.
After seeing the new replacement two-piece OE rotors, with the aluminum hats, I can't imagine doing anything other than OE for replacement rotors. I don't believe the original stock rotors on my car were as nice or nice looking behind my wheels as these discs. Same discs used as replacements for 550s as well.
After seeing the new replacement two-piece OE rotors, with the aluminum hats, I can't imagine doing anything other than OE for replacement rotors. I don't believe the original stock rotors on my car were as nice or nice looking behind my wheels as these discs. Same discs used as replacements for 550s as well.
My 2nd choice was the stop tech pads but I opted for the cool carbons from Bavauto as they looked of high quality and are made in deutschland. Sure the stop techs are super nice. CC's seem very similar to oem pads but brake feel from mid to high pressure seems more linear. Fluid flush is essential. Initial bite seems a tad less but have that BMW oem creek when cold.
Dust is not gone but it's less. A guy named zorgi (6 series) has a super DIY on identical brakes.
My only tip. You may need to heat the rear hats to pull off the rear rotors. 2 minutes with a propane torch did the trick for me. They are tight due to the parking brake shoes. Stay away from the center wheel bearing.
09-10-2012, 07:22 PM
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My Ride: 2007 550i Sport, 6 Speed Auto, Black Sapphire Metallic, Black Leather Interior, Anthracite Wood Trim, HUD, PCD, Navi, Logic 7, Fold Down Rear Seat, Sunshades, Rear DVD Headrests
I changed the fronts myself and put on Akebono ceramic pads. I still have OEM on the rears with plenty of life on them still, but I am contiplating pulling them off just to get rid of the brake dust. Hawk is another brand but I have never used them. I'm happy with the Akebono pads and would purchase them again.
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