Back in Feb I turned in my end of lease ?07 525i and got a new ?09 528i. While very similar in most regards, the 2009 did come with a couple of new goodies that have come in handy (redesigned headrests, I-drive shortcuts, memory buttons, retractable mirrors, and just a tiny bit better acceleration). It also did not have the annoying sunroof wind noise problem.

One area that is a big disappointment is in the breaks department? They feel like they got transplanted from a Ford or Toyota. They are very mushy and require a lot more effort than in my prior ?07. I noticed this right away during the test drive, but at the time I thought that maybe it would get better after the break-in period. 1800 miles later it is still the same.

Another thing that is gone is the break dust. After not washing the car for 3 weeks there is virtually no break dust to be found on the rims (quite the opposite as on my ?07 where you would see break dust build up after just a couple of days).

Clearly not the same type of break pads are being used now, and if break dust is used a measure to determine how much they are wearing, these should last well past the warranty (which means that will likely not get replaced during the ?free maintenance? period). Only reason it would make sense for BMW to go in this direction?

Anyone else notice this? I apologize if this has been discussed before, but searching did not help as I got a very large number of unrelated posts.

 

I have no useful information to add to your post, other then to point out the difference between break and brake. However you did use it correctly once out of 8! Just havin a little fun on the forum....

 

i bet switching the pads out will solve the problem, go with Ultimate Axxis pads. No dust, but better performance. Other than that, id get it checked out with your dealer, BMW's should have good brakes not crappy ones.

 

BMW brakes are generally very good (in terms of feel and stopping power). Their only real weakness is that they don't stand up too well to repeated, frequent use (i.e. they can fade). Pedal feel should not be mushy. Yours do sound like they have something that's not quite working as it should so I'd head back to the dealer if I were you.

 

Axxis deluxe pads and r1 concepts drilled slotted rotors =] btw its brakes lol

 

Please change the title before the
grammar nazi police arrive in full force.

 

You are all going to have to give me a "brake" on this one...

My brain does this type of thing on me from time to time....

 

did you test drive the same car you bought? if so, back to the dealer you go for a "brake" (or is it "break" - I'm so confused already ) job. I don't see any other 528 owners chiming in, but on my 530xi the stopping power is immense - to say the least. And every BMW I've ever driven has been awesome in this department!!!

 

lol breaks

 

I've had a 07 08 09 525/528 and i think my brakes in the 09 are just the same.

Just like in my wife's x5, we barely have to press them to come to a complete stop. It may be something worth checking with the dealer on though.

I will say that your right about the brake dust, take's a while for it buildup on the wheels!