[fe7565]

I put this here, because it's not F30 specific.

What brand and type rotor would you recommend?

I am considering the Zimmermann plain ($55ea) or cross-drilled ($89ea). Any huge advantage for cross drilled (heat?) vs plain? Do not need slotted, not tracking with the car.

Here are the options I found:

Zimmermann Z Coat ($55-$69ea)
Zimmermann Sport cross-drilled 34118848417 ($89-$104ea)
ATE Front Disc Brake Rotor - 34116792219 ($53ea)
Bison Performance $41ea
R1 Concepts EPE-31118 Brake Rotor - Dimpled and Slotted $55.78ea
Dynamic Friction plain $59ea
Brembo plain $67 (312mm)
Hella Pagid plain ($69ea)


It's a 312x24mm OEM rotor (no M-Sport/no M-Sports package). I do not need any high-end rotors, this is a daily street driver. But do not mind spending more on better quality vs the OEM front rotors. I have Akebono ceramic pads.

My steering wheel vibrates slightly above about 50 mph when braking with moderate force. Cleaned all surfaces/calipers, re-lubed all contacts, guide is good, torqued all to specs.

My front rotors seems to be warped. I used a dial indicator and both rotors have about 12 notches play on a 0.0005" per one notch dial face. So that is 0.006" (0.15mm) vs the tolerance specs of 0.002" (0.05mm).

The rotors have 22.4mm minimum thickness specs, and 24mm thickness when new. I used a digital slide caliper and measured at several spots the rotor thickness and mine is still near 24mm. But rotor re-surfacing is near impossible to find anymore here in the DC area. The cheapest one I found was $20EA (good price) but a pain to get to in time and distance.

So unless there is a national chain that does it near that price, I am better off with new front rotors for $55-$100ea.

[ctcarbonari]

IMHO, you will see no performance advantage going with drilled vs plain; however, you will most definitely see an aesthetic advantage.

I went with Zimmermann Sport Z rotors when I did the brakes on my 2015 535i (F10). I went with ATE semi-metallic pads. Overall, the stopping power & initial bite feels the same if not slightly better than original.

I also replaced the rotor set screw with an aftermarket stainless steel style.

[John in VA]

I've used Zimmermann Z-coat, Ate and Brembo blanks for 40 years with no issues.

[cbpip]

Plus 1 on Zimmermann Z coated great carbon content , no need for slotted or cross drilled rotors. Use Akebono pads.
FCP Euro for the rotors (lifetime warranty), Akebono pads from RockAuto.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by ctcarbonari

IMHO, you will see no performance advantage going with drilled vs plain; however, you will most definitely see an aesthetic advantage.

I went with Zimmermann Sport Z rotors when I did the brakes on my 2015 535i (F10). I went with ATE semi-metallic pads. Overall, the stopping power & initial bite feels the same if not slightly better than original.

I also replaced the rotor set screw with an aftermarket stainless steel style.

Thank you. How is the dust with the ATE semi-metallic pads? I switched to Akebono ceramics, because the factory pads left heavy dust. Barely noticeable dust now.

cbpip and John in VA : what type of pads? Semi-metallic or ceramic, etc? How is the dust from and wear on the pads?

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Thank you. How is the dust with the ATE semi-metallic pads? I switched to Akebono ceramics, because the factory pads left heavy dust. Barely noticeable dust now.

cbpip and John in VA : what type of pads? Semi-metallic or ceramic, etc? How is the dust from and wear on the pads?

The brake dust w/ semi metallic ATE pads is horrible. But the initial bite w/ ATE + Zimmermann is strong. I debated about going with Akebono ceramics as they get very positive feedback (even my Indy shop defaults to Akebono). The “no brake dust” sounds heavenly. I may switch in the future. I have heard that initial bite feel on Akebono is not as strong as OE or semi metallics. That’s the reason why I passed. However, for DD, given a bit of time I prolly wouldn’t notice a difference.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by ctcarbonari

The brake dust w/ semi metallic ATE pads is horrible. But the initial bite w/ ATE + Zimmermann is strong. I debated about going with Akebono ceramics as they get very positive feedback (even my Indy shop defaults to Akebono). The “no brake dust” sounds heavenly. I may switch in the future. I have heard that initial bite feel on Akebono is not as strong as OE or semi metallics. That’s the reason why I passed. However, for DD, given a bit of time I prolly wouldn’t notice a difference.

Yes, there is a slightly lesser initial bite with Akebono ceramic vs factory pads. Not sure, if because ceramic need warm up from lower-temperature or other reasons. It's been a few years since I switched from factory pads, but I would say if the factory pad was 90% initial bite then the Akebono is 80%. But if the factory was 90% dust than the Akebono is 5% dust.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t-rear-eur1613

[Katsunaka]

Following cuz i'm interested.

Not sure what pads and rotors I got, but they're cross drilled and slotted. They bite hard and aren't afraid to let ya kiss the windshield.

[cbpip]

Akebono Ceramic pads. I use them in Autox and they bite very well if needed. Never had a fade or need to warm them up. Also do mountain and back roads spirited driving where there is an occasional need to do trail braking. No issues.

[fe7565]

Good info here that gave some clarification for me:

Who makes the best brake pads : https://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.co...-your-vehicle/

[fe7565]

I will get the Zimmermann Z-Coat blank/plain rotor. Since my Akebono ceramic pads are near new, BUT my current rotor is warped, I plan to resurface (by sanding it down a bit on a perfectly flat surface) the Akebono pads . That way the new rotor and "new" pads can bed together properly. Any pitfalls here?

[cbpip]

Shouldn't be an issue, although the pads are relatively inexpensive. Check the price at RockAuto compared to FCP Euro.

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Good info here that gave some clarification for me:

Who makes the best brake pads : https://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.co...-your-vehicle/

Great Links!!!
FCPEuro really puts out some good videos!

My favorite line = “and if you’re an aggressive canyon carver”…lol

Thank You for posting!!!

[tcphoto]

I went with the Zimmerman plain rotors and Akebono Ceramic pads on the front when the service was due. I didn't look at what the first owner installed but I didn't notice anything different except that brake dust was virtually eliminated.

[slilley]

Originally Posted by fe7565

I will get the Zimmermann Z-Coat blank/plain rotor. Since my Akebono ceramic pads are near new, BUT my current rotor is warped, I plan to resurface (by sanding it down a bit on a perfectly flat surface) the Akebono pads . That way the new rotor and "new" pads can bed together properly. Any pitfalls here?

I wouldn't bother trying to sand down the pads. They'll conform on their own after a couple hundred miles - or worst-case, by 1K miles.

Good call sticking with the Zimmerman or Brembo plain rotors. Drilled and slotted are mostly for looks, especially if it's a street car (no track). When I was young and dumb, I actually drilled my own rotors in the machine shop at work. That was back in the early 1990s, before I started racking up track and autoX time.

I have a Porsche Cayman that I track, and the rotor holes are always clogged with brake dust. The OCD part in me thinks about cleaning out all those holes, but then I realize that they'll be clogged again after the next track day!

[pbonsalb]

I just changed pads and rotors on my 2018 M5 and the holes on the side of the rotor that faces the backing plate were almost completely clogged shut at 68k miles. Had likely been partially clogged long before.

[fe7565]

My Zimmermann rotors are arriving today. What do you think about hybrid semi-metallic-ceramic brake pads?

I also got lucky, as I picked up 2 sets of Raybestos Element3 hybrid on Amazon that were returns/damaged box, each for $10. Both seem new/unused. Although, my Akebono ceramics pads are near new (Oct 2024), since I will have to take my brakes apart to replace the rotors, I will try one. Expecting a bit more dust, but more pronounced bite and less rotor wear. For $10ea for $45 pads I am willing to pause my Akebono pads to test these.

Generic info:
https://www.raybestos.com/element3-pads





I also got a brake hardware kit that contains retainers and rubber guide pin retainers/caps. It seems to be sold (made?) by a smaller US company (Dynamic Hardware Fiction DFC), but at least not generic/unbranded.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/315342207936

[ctcarbonari]

+1 to replacing the retaining clips.
Not sure on your chassis; however, on the F10s BMW TIS specifically calls out NOT to grease the guide pins thru the plastic/rubber? Sleeves. Just an FYI and something you may want to double check for yourself. With new aftermarket guides I’d double check the hole I.D. vs original with a pair of calipers just so I have a warm and fuzzy feeling. Never a bad idea to replace the pad wear sensor but if your old one hasn’t tripped then you should be just fine. I like the idea of replacing the rotor set screws with aftermarket stainless steel style.

Good Luck with install and looking forward to hearing how those pads + Zimmermanns work out for ya!!!

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by ctcarbonari

+1 to replacing the retaining clips.
Not sure on your chassis; however, on the F10s BMW TIS specifically calls out NOT to grease the guide pins thru the plastic/rubber? Sleeves. Just an FYI and something you may want to double check for yourself. With new aftermarket guides I’d double check the hole I.D. vs original with a pair of calipers just so I have a warm and fuzzy feeling. Never a bad idea to replace the pad wear sensor but if your old one hasn’t tripped then you should be just fine. I like the idea of replacing the rotor set screws with aftermarket stainless steel style.

Good Luck with install and looking forward to hearing how those pads + Zimmermanns work out for ya!!!

Thank you, yes the BMW guidance says not to use any lubes for the guide pins. Maybe they figured that (inadvertently/not knowing) putting a petroleum based lube that could swell the rubber versus a slightly higher friction without any lubrication...is worth the trade-off.

After checking around, I decided to add a small amount of CRC silicone-ceramic grease, making sure it’s seated smoothly and properly all the way. I am sold on the ceramic because it embeds itself and retains its qualities much longer.

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Maybe they figured that (inadvertently/not knowing) putting a petroleum based lube that could swell the rubber versus a slightly higher friction without any lubrication...is worth the trade-off.

After checking around, I decided to add a small amount of CRC silicone-ceramic grease, making sure it’s seated smoothly and properly all the way. I am sold on the ceramic because it embeds itself and retains its qualities much longer.

I think you're probably right @ petroleum based lube. FWIW, plenty of posts out there where owners have reported that their Dealership lubed the pins. NOT lubing really seems counter-intuitive to me. Then again, I'm old.

+1 to nearly all ceramic based products I've come across. I am sold as well.
(just not yet on pads....lol....but I haven't tried them yet)

I had wanted to share this chart with you earlier but I realized I never saved it. Unfortunately, I could only find the German version. It's a Comparison chart of Pads vs Rotors of various manufacturers. Maybe someone out there more savy than me could post the english language version. Here's a link to their website.

https://www.at-rs.de/beitrag/items/d...-erklaert.html

[fe7565]

Thanks for the link on the recommended pad/rotor combos. Too bad Akebono is not listed. I have attached the English translation page.

The green color is "recommended by them", yellow is "recommended conditionally", red is "not recommended" .

I also added a couple of translated sub-articles that are relevant here. One on disk surface damage and one on brake ("judder") vibration.

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Thanks for the link on the recommended pad/rotor combos. Too bad Akebono is not listed. I have attached the English translation page.

The green color is "recommended by them", yellow is "recommended conditionally", red is "not recommended" .

I also added a couple of translated sub-articles that are relevant here. One on disk surface damage and one on brake ("judder") vibration.

^Awesome^ Thanks. I agree @ too bad Akebono not on there.

I look forward to reading your experience with those hybrid ceramic/semi-metallic pads.