Brake Pads

pcarguy · 05-20-2009, 08:18 PM

Hello. Just bought a 2002 330i convertible. I had owned a 2001 330i Sedan in the past so i am very familiar with the brake dust issue.

I do not want to replace the stock OEM pads with any pad that will have a noticeable decrease in stopping performance, its just not worth it to me to have inferior braking for less dust.

Of the pads I am looking at: Axxis Ulimate, Hawk HPS, and Akebono Euro Ceramic. Which of these have the most similar performance to stock OEM pads in terms of braking performance? Also, I really do not want to have a squealing pad if thats an issue with any of these.

Thanks in advance.....

OkStateMET · 05-20-2009, 08:23 PM

i had a similar questions a few days ago, link to my thread help full for me
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=674733

moscowpete · 05-20-2009, 08:35 PM

and i did too:

* * Brake PADS: HAWK HPS VS. HP+ VS. Akebono VS. PBR Ceramic * * *
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...858&highlight=

omhl · 05-20-2009, 10:58 PM

im going to put on hawk ceramic performance pads on soon.

Chris-TK · 05-21-2009, 01:13 AM

I like-a the Akebono.

omhl · 05-21-2009, 01:26 AM

No

Kubica · 05-21-2009, 09:36 AM

Akebono ceramic has that big initial bite like stock without the oem dust.

Chris-TK · 05-21-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubica

Akebono ceramic has that big initial bite like stock without the oem dust.

I wouldn't go THAT far. It has pretty good stopping power compared to OEM, but by no means equal.

Kubica · 05-21-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisTKHarris

I wouldn't go THAT far. It has pretty good stopping power compared to OEM, but by no means equal.

I tried them on an E39. Thought they were the grabbiest pads i've ever felt.

Much grabbier than the Peformance friction Z-compound I just put on my e46.

I can't really comment on ultimate stopping power though. You are probably right. I didn't get on the brakes that hard, i was just diagnosing a problem.

Side note: I dont like grabby pads.

thatsonlyme · 05-21-2009, 02:11 PM

I have akebono pads and initially I was very disappointed when compared to oem brake pads. initial bite is not even close to oem, though the braking power is actually very good. I love my clean wheels and my car still stops on a dime. it will take some tome to get used to lack of initial bite, but imho those are very good pads, highly recommended.

Hrvat · 05-21-2009, 02:37 PM

Akebono Euro's. End the thread!

mkodama · 05-21-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by croat

Akebono Euro's. End the thread!

Seriously. It's not like they even make a huge effect on braking. If you put your brake pedal to the floor, your wheels are going to lock up no matter what pads you have.

Akebono Euro's are great street pads.

Chris-TK · 05-21-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkodama

Seriously. It's not like they even make a huge effect on braking. If you put your brake pedal to the floor, your wheels are going to lock up no matter what pads you have.

Akebono Euro's are great street pads.

Miles I'm surprised that you approve of the Akebono's being such a BMW purist and all. I would have thought you would prefer to have OEM stopping power over low dust.

mkodama · 05-21-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisTKHarris

Miles I'm surprised that you approve of the Akebono's being such a BMW purist and all. I would have thought you would prefer to have OEM stopping power over low dust.

Me personally, I like the OEM pads because I don't care about dust since I just wash my wheels when they get dirty, and they provide pretty good initial bite as well as street manners. My next set of pads may be some slightly more track oriented pads though...

But for a person that complains about dust, I'd just tell them to get some akebono's since they probably don't track their car much anyway.

Chris-TK · 05-21-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkodama

Me personally, I like the OEM pads because I don't care about dust since I just wash my wheels when they get dirty, and they provide pretty good initial bite as well as street manners. My next set of pads may be some slightly more track oriented pads though...

But for a person that complains about dust, I'd just tell them to get some akebono's since they probably don't track their car much anyway.

I also wash my wheels all the time, but it's still was nice (when I did have the Akebonos) to have to wash them AS frequently. Now I've got the Hawk Performance Ceramics and they're fairly low dust, but not as dustless as the Akebonos. It's okay though, they're better for the track.

mkodama · 05-21-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisTKHarris

I also wash my wheels all the time, but it's still was nice (when I did have the Akebonos) to have to wash them AS frequently. Now I've got the Hawk Performance Ceramics and they're fairly low dust, but not as dustless as the Akebonos. It's okay though, they're better for the track.

One of these days my 330 will make it to the track. Then I might be able to keep up with Alex with an additional 70hp over the mini and rear wheel drive.

Chris-TK · 05-21-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkodama

One of these days my 330 will make it to the track. Then I might be able to keep up with Alex with an additional 70hp over the mini and rear wheel drive.

Jason@Euro-Division · 05-21-2009, 03:16 PM

We offer Akebono pads here:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...38#post9973338

I personally run a set of these on my car and am very satisfied with the outcome

Minimal brake dust combined with close to OEM stopping power.

pcarguy · 05-21-2009, 08:41 PM

Thanks for the responses. I still am not sure which way to go here, it seems to me as thought the Akebono pads are going to negatively affect braking performance which i definately do not want. I have a Porsche 911 that I track and I consider that my "sports car" and I definately will not be tracking this vehicle. However, when I am behind thw wheel of the 330 i stilll will want to drive it hard on occasion alone and certainly will want it to stop as well as OEM pads when my wife is in it with my kids.

So, OEM pads have a ridiculous amount of dust and I just want to cut that down but not necesarily eliminate if it will hinder performance considerably. With what i have read, not much feedback on the Axxis pads and it seems many like the Akebono pads but only because of lack of dust and not so much because of superiuor braking. I am leaning towards Hawk HPS pads right now. Do you guys agree that these pads will perform better then the Akebono pads and reduce dust compared to OEM?

//TRD power · 05-21-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkodama

Seriously. It's not like they even make a huge effect on braking. If you put your brake pedal to the floor, your wheels are going to lock up no matter what pads you have.

Akebono Euro's are great street pads.

Finally someone with common sense.

05-20-2009, 08:18 PM	#1
pcarguy Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: nj Posts: 2 My Ride: 330ci View My Garage	Brake Pads Hello. Just bought a 2002 330i convertible. I had owned a 2001 330i Sedan in the past so i am very familiar with the brake dust issue. I do not want to replace the stock OEM pads with any pad that will have a noticeable decrease in stopping performance, its just not worth it to me to have inferior braking for less dust. Of the pads I am looking at: Axxis Ulimate, Hawk HPS, and Akebono Euro Ceramic. Which of these have the most similar performance to stock OEM pads in terms of braking performance? Also, I really do not want to have a squealing pad if thats an issue with any of these. Thanks in advance.....

05-20-2009, 08:23 PM	#2
OkStateMET Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tulsa Posts: 157 My Ride: 1999 323i View My Garage	i had a similar questions a few days ago, link to my thread help full for me http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=674733 __________________ Some things just don't feel right, and that is one of them. "That's what she said!" :)

05-20-2009, 08:35 PM	#3
moscowpete Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 46 My Ride: 2003 330i M-Executiv View My Garage	and i did too: * * Brake PADS: HAWK HPS VS. HP+ VS. Akebono VS. PBR Ceramic * * * http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...858&highlight= __________________

05-20-2009, 10:58 PM	#4
omhl Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Irvine, CA (SOCAL) Posts: 2,118 My Ride: E46 M3 6MT View My Garage	im going to put on hawk ceramic performance pads on soon. __________________ 2002 BMW E46 ///M3 6MT GruppeM Rep Muffler w/ 2 AR20 \| 6K LED Angel Eyes w/Rheostats \| DICE \| OEM SSK \| CF CSL Diffuser \| 18x10" ET25 Enkei NT03+M \| Drilled/Slotted Rotors\| Yellow DPS Coilovers\| SR48 Titanium Lugs \| Air Scoop \| Schroth 4 Point Harness \| CSL Trunk \|

05-21-2009, 01:13 AM	#5
Chris-TK Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 16,308 My Ride: Mazda View My Garage	I like-a the Akebono. __________________ K.

05-21-2009, 01:26 AM	#6
omhl Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Irvine, CA (SOCAL) Posts: 2,118 My Ride: E46 M3 6MT View My Garage	No __________________ 2002 BMW E46 ///M3 6MT GruppeM Rep Muffler w/ 2 AR20 \| 6K LED Angel Eyes w/Rheostats \| DICE \| OEM SSK \| CF CSL Diffuser \| 18x10" ET25 Enkei NT03+M \| Drilled/Slotted Rotors\| Yellow DPS Coilovers\| SR48 Titanium Lugs \| Air Scoop \| Schroth 4 Point Harness \| CSL Trunk \|

05-21-2009, 09:36 AM	#7
Kubica Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 3,951 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	Akebono ceramic has that big initial bite like stock without the oem dust.

05-21-2009, 02:11 PM	#10
thatsonlyme Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 224 My Ride: 2001 330Ci Sport pkg View My Garage	I have akebono pads and initially I was very disappointed when compared to oem brake pads. initial bite is not even close to oem, though the braking power is actually very good. I love my clean wheels and my car still stops on a dime. it will take some tome to get used to lack of initial bite, but imho those are very good pads, highly recommended. __________________ blitzsafe AUX adapter trunk wiring DIY with photos

05-21-2009, 03:16 PM	#18
Jason@Euro-Division Regional Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,405 My Ride: e46 View My Garage	We offer Akebono pads here: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...38#post9973338 I personally run a set of these on my car and am very satisfied with the outcome Minimal brake dust combined with close to OEM stopping power. __________________ Email: sales@euro-division.com (Mails replied 365 days a year) Web: www.euro-division.com Your Australian Source For BMW EXTERIOR / INTERIOR / LIGHTING / WHEELS / BRAKES / CF PARTS

05-21-2009, 08:41 PM	#19
pcarguy Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: nj Posts: 2 My Ride: 330ci View My Garage	Thanks for the responses. I still am not sure which way to go here, it seems to me as thought the Akebono pads are going to negatively affect braking performance which i definately do not want. I have a Porsche 911 that I track and I consider that my "sports car" and I definately will not be tracking this vehicle. However, when I am behind thw wheel of the 330 i stilll will want to drive it hard on occasion alone and certainly will want it to stop as well as OEM pads when my wife is in it with my kids. So, OEM pads have a ridiculous amount of dust and I just want to cut that down but not necesarily eliminate if it will hinder performance considerably. With what i have read, not much feedback on the Axxis pads and it seems many like the Akebono pads but only because of lack of dust and not so much because of superiuor braking. I am leaning towards Hawk HPS pads right now. Do you guys agree that these pads will perform better then the Akebono pads and reduce dust compared to OEM?

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