[Cali]

Hi all,
I need to replace the Brake Pads & Rotors for my E90 2006 325i.
I am looking to sell/trade it very soon so I am looking for the most inexpensive options but still decent quality.
Any recommendations??

Thank you.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Centric pads with Centric rotors. It should run you under $100. Heck, it may even run you under $75.

[Cali]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Centric pads with Centric rotors. It should run you under $100. Heck, it may even run you under $75.

Thank you for the reply, I appreciate it.
Do you recommend any particular Centric pads/rotors?
They have quite a selection including something called Axle Packs.

[WallyF]

Cali,

Go to “rockauto.com” for the best prices on auto parts. I ave the Centric rotors on my 2006 325xi and am pleased.
I suggest using the Centic semi metallic pads to match up to what the vehicle had originally.

Wallyf

[eljay]

Originally Posted by WallyF

Cali,

Go to “rockauto.com” for the best prices on auto parts. I ave the Centric rotors on my 2006 325xi and am pleased.
I suggest using the Centic semi metallic pads to match up to what the vehicle had originally.

Wallyf

+1

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Cali

Hi all,
I need to replace the Brake Pads & Rotors for my E90 2006 325i.
I am looking to sell/trade it very soon so I am looking for the most inexpensive options but still decent quality.
Any recommendations??

Thank you.

Go with Zimmerman & Akebono pads. Hard to beat that combo. FCP has them & you get a lifetime warranty

[Efthreeoh]

Is the pad replacement notification on? If not, why replace anything?

[BimmerNugget]

Yep, RockAuto is the absolute cheapest. I got 4 new rotors and front pads. Front centric rotors were $22 each, rear rotors were $18.22 each. Front pads Centric CTek Metallic were only $12.

The only thing with RockAuto is you need to bundle your items together so they ship from the same location. RockAuto dropships from many different suppliers. Sometimes you might have to select a slightly more expensive item because it ships from the same location as the parts already in your cart so you save on shipping costs.

[BimmerNugget]

Also go check out Pentosin 5w-30 BMW LL01 oil at RockAuto it's super cheap there. $25 for 5 liter jug and $6 for 1 liter bottles.

Compare that to FCPEuro...$40 for 5 liter jug and $10 for 1 liter jugs. FCPEuro is making a killing with those fat ass margins and FCPEuro doesn't even stock most of their inventory. They utilize a "just in time" inventory management system meaning they go out and buy it from their suppliers after they receive your order.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

I suppose at fcpeuro you could ship the used oil back for a replacement right? Lifetime replacement!!!

[Cali]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Yep, RockAuto is the absolute cheapest. I got 4 new rotors and front pads. Front centric rotors were $22 each, rear rotors were $18.22 each. Front pads Centric CTek Metallic were only $12.

Can I ask which ones you ordered & for what vehicle and how have they worked out for you.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

I suppose at fcpeuro you could ship the used oil back for a replacement right? Lifetime replacement!!!

That's what I do. $15 oil change

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Do you actually ship the used oil back or just the empty jugs?

[Cali]

So from RockAuto it looks like the choices are:

Rotors:

CENTRIC*12134078*C-TEK Rear $21.79
CENTRIC*12134077*C-TEK Front $24.79
Or
CENTRIC*32034078*GCX Brake Rotors by StopTech Rear $27.79
CENTRIC*32034077*GCX Brake Rotors by StopTech Front $30.99

Pads:

CENTRIC*30012670*Semi-Met Pads w/Shim and Hardware Rear $13.45
CENTRIC*30010610*Semi-Met Pads w/Shim and Hardware*Front $20.79
Or
CENTRIC*10512670*Posi-Quiet Ceramic w/Shims and Hardware Rear $24.79
CENTRIC*10510610*Posi-Quiet Ceramic w/Shims and Hardware Front $44.99

It looks like a few people have said go with the lowest price pads & rotors which would be the CENTRIC*C-TEK rotors with CENTRIC*Semi-Met Pads.........Agreed?
As I said I am not keeping the car beyyond a few months.

[BimmerNugget]

Originally Posted by Cali

Can I ask which ones you ordered & for what vehicle and how have they worked out for you.

They raised the prices on the Centric a little bit. Raybestos is now the cheapest, it's basically the same as entry level centric. The pads i selected are not the cheapest but they ship from the same location as the rotors so you save on shipping.

View post on imgur.com

This is for 2011 E90 328i. Be careful and confirm part numbers on the rear rotors because sedans and coupes use slightly different rear rotors. Coupe rear rotors will fit on sedan rear but the hand brake will not work because the "hat" on the coupe rotors is slightly larger than the "hat" on sedan rear rotors. Front rotors should fit both.

[tlow98]

I've been super pleased with Centric 'Premium' or 'High Carbon' as they have the black E-coat which keeps your rotors from looking like a rusty eyesore. They are minimum double the price @ $45ish rear and $58 front vs the E-tek, however.

Also, my semi metallic centric pads do squeal a tad and others on here have had similar results. For that reason I'd suggest either the Centric ceramic (little less bite and no dust) or the OE 2010+ BMW pads as they dust less, have great feel and don't squeal. I'm pretty bothered by the noise, so take that for what it's worth. I'm generally of the mindset that if they aren't trackpads I shouldn't be hearing them.

YMMV

[Jashan90]

Originally Posted by tlow98

I've been super pleased with Centric 'Premium' or 'High Carbon' as they have the black E-coat which keeps your rotors from looking like a rusty eyesore. They are minimum double the price @ $45ish rear and $58 front vs the E-tek, however.

Also, my semi metallic centric pads do squeal a tad and others on here have had similar results. For that reason I'd suggest either the Centric ceramic (little less bite and no dust) or the OE 2010+ BMW pads as they dust less, have great feel and don't squeal. I'm pretty bothered by the noise, so take that for what it's worth. I'm generally of the mindset that if they aren't trackpads I shouldn't be hearing them.

YMMV

Just go visit autozone and get the cheapest option...

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Jashan90

Just go visit autozone and get the cheapest option...

This is your reply to what I wrote or to the OP or to the ethos?

[Jashan90]

Originally Posted by tlow98

This is your reply to what I wrote or to the OP or to the ethos?

This is my reply directly to you. Autozone is your quickest option. If your willing to wait I would eBay ceramic pads off there.

[hOlykamOtie*]

Don't forget the 5% off promo code at rockauto!

[Cali]

Originally Posted by hOlykamOtie*

Don't forget the 5% off promo code at rockauto!

Good to know, thank you.
I will look for the code but I do not see where to add it on RockAuto.com

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Jashan90

This is my reply directly to you. Autozone is your quickest option. If your willing to wait I would eBay ceramic pads off there.

Yeah, but I don’t want questionable products with reviews from people that I cannot judge credibility. If I weren’t happy with them I’d be uninstalling them which would be worth more than the $30 product to me. Finding stuff that works is relatively easy - finding stuff that replicates the OE BMW stuff for less $ is pretty hard.

Cheap and Fast are certainly attributes that products can be judged upon, but they’re not what I’m concerned with.

It’s possible the OP might be interested in these options tho. To each their own.