[M40iG01]

Has anyone done the front brakes yet on their m40i?
Is it possible to just replace the pads if the rotors are in good shape?
Has anyone found any aftermarket pads that are good quality ? The dealer parts dept wants $550 CAD for just a set of front brake pads. A brake replacement at the dealer must be thousands.
Any advice would be appreciated

[Mushy007]

BMW UK want £350 for front brake pads, so I emailed EBC and they sent me this link. If the discs are within the limits I would do just the pads.Hope this helps. https://ebcbrakesdirect.com/automoti...-2017-/1004643

[Toodalu]

In my honest opinion, never put new brake pads on rotors that aren't resurfaced or replaced. You're better off ordering oem parts on line and finding an independent auto repair shop to do the job.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by iwhineX3

In my honest opinion, never put new brake pads on rotors that aren't resurfaced or replaced. You're better off ordering oem parts on line and finding an independent auto repair shop to do the job.

been working on my bimmers for 15+ years, above is solid advice. I have tended over the years to stick with stock pads, but there are many others manufacturers parts available. buy online and you'll save $$$ on parts costs. FCP Euro is xlnt supplier in the States, lifetime warranty always, yes even on wear items, worth a look as you may be able to source from them.

[spangle1980]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

been working on my bimmers for 15+ years, above is solid advice. I have tended over the years to stick with stock pads, but there are many others manufacturers parts available. buy online and you'll save $$$ on parts costs. FCP Euro is xlnt supplier in the States, lifetime warranty always, yes even on wear items, worth a look as you may be able to source from them.

Conversely I've had two X3s, each one doing approx 80k miles. Probably changed the pads on each once (well in advance of hitting the wear level) and didn't even consider changing the discs, and looking at the price on the link about JUST for the pads and discs I feel comfortable in that approach :-)

Of course they (as is the current one - making three) lease cars so go back after about that mileage.

Bring back asbestos ...

[Wgosma]

I have changed pads only on my X3 once,no issues. Rotors are not all that costly however, so if in doubt.....

And for Canadians pad slam is of real value, they are always spending the big bucks for latest/greatest hockey gear, car expenditures takes backseat to their sport 😉

[383vett]

As long as the rotors are within spec and there is no vibration, there is no reason to replace them.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by 383vett

As long as the rotors are within spec and there is no vibration, there is no reason to replace them.

^ This. I've never had to replace rotors as long as their condition was not sub-par

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by 383vett

As long as the rotors are within spec and there is no vibration, there is no reason to replace them.

I've not done enough miles for a brake service in my G01, but in my F25 the reasons for changing rotors was with they were too thin or they had a lip which made fitting new pads problematic. Seems commonplace now, Is it because modern pads abraid the rotor more than in days of yore.

[teaston]

Something to note on these brakes is that the pads are bonded to the caliper pistons, that is they have a special high heat resistant 3M double sided tape on them. This is how BMW cured the horrendous brake squeal issues that were present on the Fxx M Sport front brakes.

Zimmerman do a pad that fits now, and they appear to have the 3M tape on them:

https://m.autodoc.co.uk/zimmermann/14924663

Care needs to be taken when fitting that all the caliper pistons are properly cleaned and degreased, and then pressure applied to the brake pedal to bond the pads properly.

And you don't need to change the discs as long as they're easily above minimum thickness, which is 34.4mm on these discs (they start at 36mm), so I'd say anything above 35mm and they are fine for another set of pads.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by teaston

Something to note on these brakes is that the pads are bonded to the caliper pistons, that is they have a special high heat resistant 3M double sided tape on them. This is how BMW cured the horrendous brake squeal issues that were present on the Fxx M Sport front brakes.

Zimmerman do a pad that fits now, and they appear to have the 3M tape on them:

https://m.autodoc.co.uk/zimmermann/14924663

Care needs to be taken when fitting that all the caliper pistons are properly cleaned and degreased, and then pressure applied to the brake pedal to bond the pads properly.

And you don't need to change the discs as long as they're easily above minimum thickness, which is 34.4mm on these discs (they start at 36mm), so I'd say anything above 35mm and they are fine for another set of pads.

Not so sure they resolved the squeal. My F97 has ~11,000kms and I get a squeal a few times a week

[teaston]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Not so sure they resolved the squeal. My F97 has ~11,000kms and I get a squeal a few times a week

Don't know if the X3M has the bonded pads, the full M's usually have different pads, even though the calipers are physically the same.

I would think the sticky pads affect brake feel too much for M division to fit them to one of their cars, but I may be wrong.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by teaston

Don't know if the X3M has the bonded pads, the full M's usually have different pads, even though the calipers are physically the same.

I would think the sticky pads affect brake feel too much for M division to fit them to one of their cars, but I may be wrong.

Actually, you might be right. I misread your post when you mentioned Fxx M Sport models...I substituted Fxx for F97, so you're probably right about the pads

[teaston]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Actually, you might be right. I misread your post when you mentioned Fxx M Sport models...I substituted Fxx for F97, so you're probably right about the pads

Ah I get you! Yes BMW really confused things giving the current generation M's Fxx chassis numbers!

[TheusBimmer]

Not sure if pads are bonded to caliper as it looks like there was a bit of a "sticky" situation to remove oem pad from this youtube video (who i think is also a forum member here).

Seems a pretty straightforward and an easy way enough job to me, though I would watch carefully and write down all the steps if I had to the break job on my own.

[fricfracfrank]

If love some brake pads that give off less dust, like A LOT less dust.

[TheusBimmer]

Originally Posted by fricfracfrank

If love some brake pads that give off less dust, like A LOT less dust.

If I remember correctly, people were going with Akibono Ceramic break pads in this forum, or some crazy cheap ceramic pads for a lot less dust. I think it was like 30 bucks. Not sure if I would go that route though... and I cannot find brembo or ebc or oem equiv that is ceramic (yes I am already looking for future project ha).

Adding link to ceramic low-dust pads:

Ceramic low dust brake pads https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1659332

[Wgosma]

Ceramic pads are great for low dust, but there's never a totally free lunch: stock pads have better cold/initial bite...slightly safer option for street driven daily driver.

[M40iG01]

The video on you tube is what inspired me to replace my own pads. The front calipers are brembo and the pad replacement is simple. Issue is BMW has locked up the availability of the pads. I am almost certain this same caliper on the m40i is used on another BMW but it's hard to know which. I ordered EBC red stuff ceramic pads that the online tool said fit the m40i only to find out they don't. it's too bad there isn't a aftermarket pad better than OEM at a reasonable price as $550 CAD seems insane for a set of pads from the dealer. I wouldn't mind paying for them if I didn't think I was getting ripped off!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by M40iG01

The video on you tube is what inspired me to replace my own pads. The front calipers are brembo and the pad replacement is simple. Issue is BMW has locked up the availability of the pads. I am almost certain this same caliper on the m40i is used on another BMW but it's hard to know which. I ordered EBC red stuff ceramic pads that the online tool said fit the m40i only to find out they don't. it's too bad there isn't a aftermarket pad better than OEM at a reasonable price as $550 CAD seems insane for a set of pads from the dealer. I wouldn't mind paying for them if I didn't think I was getting ripped off!

No it looks like only the X3 Brembo's use this pad design, I've checked G01, G30, G20, G32 & G05 and they all appear to use this different pad design.

Top pic is other models, bottom pic is G01:

[teaston]

They all appear to use the same 348mm discs/rotors though, hence why there's already loads of choices of front discs for the G01.

[M40iG01]

well you know what your looking at haha. which EBC pads do you suggest I order? thanks !