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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Which rotors and pads are better?



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      04-06-2011, 11:57 PM   #1
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Which rotors and pads are better?

So now its time for me to change all four rotors and brake pads on my 2006 E90 325i.I was going to replace them with OEM factory pads and rotors but I am deciding on going the after market route.So yesterday I decided to get slotted rotors and get good brake pads with them but I am a newbie at stuff like this so please help me out guys what slotted rotors and brake pads should I get for my E90.



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      04-16-2011, 05:54 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90 Freak View Post
So now its time for me to change all four rotors and brake pads on my 2006 E90 325i.I was going to replace them with OEM factory pads and rotors but I am deciding on going the after market route.So yesterday I decided to get slotted rotors and get good brake pads with them but I am a newbie at stuff like this so please help me out guys what slotted rotors and brake pads should I get for my E90.



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There's a company called Centric Parts, who is the OEM for both StopTech and PowerSlot rotors. Under the StopTech brand, you can get OE and slotted rotors, and under the PowerSlot brand, you can get slotted or slotted cryo rotors. I've never tried cryogenically frozen rotors myself, but they are the ones I've got my eye on for when my stock rotors need replacing. When buying slotted rotors, there will be four unique part numbers...front left, front right, rear left and rear right. The best price I've found for the PowerSlot Cryo rotors is at www.race-mart.com. Fronts are $137.43 each, and rears are $129.85 each, all with free shipping, so $534.56 for a set of four. If you go to www.centricparts.com and search by your vehicle type, you will see all of the part numbers for all of the rotors they make, separated into front and rear sections.

Pads are a little more subjective, and it really comes down to whether or not you ever plan on taking your car to the track. If you never plan on tracking your car, Hawk HPS are a popular option...fairly quiet, fairly low dust, good stopping power. If you plan on going to the track, I'm seriously considering the Carbon Cool pads, because they apparently also work pretty well on the street, and are supposedly very quiet and very low dust. Hawk has the HP Plus amongst other options as well. The Carbon Cool pads are $230 per set for all four wheels, whereas the Hawk pads are a little bit less.

It's probably a good idea to purchase a fresh set of BMW rotor wear sensors too. A good set of stainless steel braided brake lines will help to stiffen up the pedal feel, and a complete six piece set, such as those offered by ECS Tuning, will only set you back $130. Again, if you plan on going to the track, you'll also want a couple bottles of a more advanced brake fluid, which is more resistant to boiling (DOT4 or better). The industry standard is MOTUL RBF600 synthetic brake fluid, but it will run you $20 per 0.5 litre bottle. There are less expensive options by Ate, but they are not quite as good.

So for just over $1,000 you can piece together a pretty nice package of rotors, pads, lines, sensors and fluid (not including labor...).

There are tons of other options depending on budget and ultimate needs, but this should give you a good starting point!
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      05-04-2011, 04:03 PM   #3
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My car need to change the rear pads, could i change just the pads or i have to change the rotors and sensors too. The rotors are good for another 10k miles, isnt bad.
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      05-04-2011, 05:02 PM   #4
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check out www.turnermotorsports.com You can get a set front/rear slotted/drilled sensors and pads for about $600.
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      05-04-2011, 06:33 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yoandry View Post
My car need to change the rear pads, could i change just the pads or i have to change the rotors and sensors too. The rotors are good for another 10k miles, isnt bad.
You can change the pads without changing the rotors, but the sensors are pad wear sensors, so they ideally get changed at the same time you change the pads.
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      05-05-2011, 02:11 PM   #6
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Seen a couple users order from the below site. Heard the rotors are good but the pads are not recommended.

http://brakeperformance.com/
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      05-07-2011, 09:51 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghost170 View Post
check out www.turnermotorsports.com You can get a set front/rear slotted/drilled sensors and pads for about $600.
Man, that deal looks almost too good to be true....I might end up going with that...
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      05-08-2011, 04:33 PM   #8
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I went with OEM BMW rotors and Akebono ceramic pads. Couldnt be happier.
The "initial bite" did diminish quite noticeably, but braking power is still plenty adequate. The big bonus - virtually no wheel dust at all! My wheels can go for two weeks looking freshly washed.
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      05-11-2011, 11:40 AM   #9
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I'm in the market as well for front brakes (rotors, pads, sensors.) 335 fresh off of warranty last month - was just able to squeeze in rear brake job however fronts are going to be on me. In Houston, I've been quotes price from non-dealer shops $580 - $800! (labor included.) The shop I'm thinking about (at the low end swears all parts are from Germany and he has the equipment to reset the computers, etc.. I absolutely have no idea what questions I should be asking him in regards to the rotors, pads, sensors he's picking up.. can you guys help me out me out??? Also, if I decide to purchase the parts on my own, what should i be looking for? Can someone give me the good/better/best breakdown (including seller and prices?? Thanks, alot, guys.
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      05-11-2011, 01:41 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BimmerBoy79 View Post
I'm in the market as well for front brakes (rotors, pads, sensors.) 335 fresh off of warranty last month - was just able to squeeze in rear brake job however fronts are going to be on me. In Houston, I've been quotes price from non-dealer shops $580 - $800! (labor included.) The shop I'm thinking about (at the low end swears all parts are from Germany and he has the equipment to reset the computers, etc.. I absolutely have no idea what questions I should be asking him in regards to the rotors, pads, sensors he's picking up.. can you guys help me out me out??? Also, if I decide to purchase the parts on my own, what should i be looking for? Can someone give me the good/better/best breakdown (including seller and prices?? Thanks, alot, guys.
Here's a good deal on a front brake package...includes rotors, pads and sensors for $327:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335...OEM/ES2083391/
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      05-11-2011, 02:14 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shibikot View Post
I went with OEM BMW rotors and Akebono ceramic pads. Couldnt be happier.
The "initial bite" did diminish quite noticeably, but braking power is still plenty adequate. The big bonus - virtually no wheel dust at all! My wheels can go for two weeks looking freshly washed.
Do the factory rotors come slotted? 2004 MKIV 2008 MKV Used Volkswagen R32 Review Portland Oregon

Last edited by Don335xi; 07-19-2011 at 09:55 AM..
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      05-11-2011, 02:35 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Don335xi View Post
Do the factory rotors come slotted?
No, but there are bunch of really good aftermarket rotors which are available slotted. Here's a good package for your 335xi, where you can select various pad options, and OEM/slotted/cross-drilled rotors, sensors and fluid:

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-28...e-package.aspx
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