X3 Brakes - Page 2 - XBimmers

turbotoy4me · 09-07-2012, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nahoa

If you want your car to brake like an M-car, buy an M-car. BMW standard braking is at the top of the industry. If this set-up can't stop you in time, you're following too close, simply driving too fast, or too scared to actually press the brake pedal to get what you need.

+1

ilya335 · 03-23-2013, 04:40 PM

I've had a 2013 X3 3.5 for a couple months now and think the car is great.

My only concern and the reason I came upon this thread are the brakes. As others have mentioned, the pedal travel is a lot more progressive (meaning you have to push deeper) and there is less initial bite as compared to previous BMW's.

I've had a 2006 X3, 2008 335i, 2010 X6, and currently a 2011 M3, and I can definitely say that the pedal feels a lot "spongier" than those cars. This is the first BMW I've ever driven where I instantly noticed that the brakes were different. This is not to say they are bad, but they don't have the same feel as the previous cars and I've noticed I had to adjust due to the pedal travel.

I'm going to present my concerns at the dealer next time but from reading this thread, it sounds that it's just a driver adjustment. Also as others mentioned, the actual braking distance depends primarily on the tires. Since most X3's come with all season M+S tires, it makes sense the braking distance is higher. Car and Driver recently had a comparison between the Evoque, the Q5 and the X3, and they mentioned the X3 had the worst braking distance of the bunch primarily due to its tires.

qwertyb22 · 03-23-2013, 06:06 PM

How new is the car? My wife thought her X3 braked terribly when we first bought it - and for reference she came from an Infiniti EX35, which is a sporty crossover competitor. After about 700 miles or so, we both notice the initial bite to be much improved and the brakes to stop much shorter. I agree with many of the other posters above however, in that they are not nearly as responsive as my prior E90, but I'd say they're about as good as the EX35, which is really about what you would expect for a 4000+ lb SAV...

fjrmann · 03-23-2013, 08:03 PM

i find the brakes to be outstanding

paulbaz · 03-24-2013, 02:22 AM

I can understand the issue. I came to the X3 after a Lexus ISF. Initially, I too was unhappy with the brakes. However, having now driven the X3 for 4,000+ miles I am quite happy with the brakes.

Perhaps it is a case of the brakes bedding in over time and/or simply adjusting ones driving style/right foot to better suit the brakes?

Anyway, I have no issue with the braking ability of the X3 now.

midlifecrisis · 03-24-2013, 06:32 AM

There are two areas where I think the current BMW's have lost a step with respect to their product of the past 25 years (or have at least changed enough to dilute BMW's unique image) - brakes and steering.

I agree that the brakes of the F25 don't seem to have the initial "bite" of my other BMWs. (E46 328i, E83 X3, E90 M3 and E30 iX) They also don't seem to have the ability to stop the car with the force of my other Bimmers, although the run flat tires may have a lot to do with this. The F25 brakes feel like those of any run of the mill car. Not bad, but not what I've come to expect.

This combined with the steering that doesn't have the feel of my previous cars make the F25 different from my other BMWs. I was attracted to the brand because every example I drove felt like a sports car but had the practicality of a sedan or SUV. I fear they're losing the characteristics that gave BMW a unique image.

richard in NC · 03-24-2013, 06:58 AM

I'll be able to chime in on the F25 brakes in a week. I do recall the E70 and even my 335is felt like a soft brake pedal when new. After a few 100 miles on the clock, I did a bedding in procedure with the E70 which helped a lot. Those brakes now feel incredible when stopping a 5200 pound SUV. But its rotors were much larger than the F25.

Simply do a half dozen hard near stops in a row from 60ish and then give them time to cool down before parking. That definitely helps in the bite department.
See detailed instructions here: http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

woodchuck1 · 03-24-2013, 08:04 AM

Tire Rack's web site discusses the need to "bed in" new pads and rotors ( http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/...jsp?techid=85& ) I've had very good luck with smooth stopping, powerful brakes and no pedal pulsation since I have been following their advice.

woodchuck1 · 03-24-2013, 08:28 AM

The X3 shifts braking power to the rear brakes to minimize front end dive on braking. I wonder if people might misinterpret that lack of dive, which they have come to expect, as insufficient braking?

noka · 03-24-2013, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodchuck1

Tire Rack's web site discusses the need to "bed in" new pads and rotors ( http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/...jsp?techid=85& ) I've had very good luck with smooth stopping, powerful brakes and no pedal pulsation since I have been following their advice.

X3 Owner's Manual also mentions break-in for brakes as well as engine.

03-23-2013, 06:06 PM	#25
qwertyb22 Private First Class Drives: 2013 335xi M Sport, 2013 X3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fairfield CT Posts: 153 iTrader: (5)	How new is the car? My wife thought her X3 braked terribly when we first bought it - and for reference she came from an Infiniti EX35, which is a sporty crossover competitor. After about 700 miles or so, we both notice the initial bite to be much improved and the brakes to stop much shorter. I agree with many of the other posters above however, in that they are not nearly as responsive as my prior E90, but I'd say they're about as good as the EX35, which is really about what you would expect for a 4000+ lb SAV... __________________ 2013 BMW 335xi M Sport, 2013 BMW X3 28i Retired: 2006 BMW 325xi, 2008 Infiniti G37S, 2008 Infiniti EX35

03-24-2013, 06:32 AM	#28
midlifecrisis Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E90 M3 - IB/ExBB Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 555 iTrader: (0)	There are two areas where I think the current BMW's have lost a step with respect to their product of the past 25 years (or have at least changed enough to dilute BMW's unique image) - brakes and steering. I agree that the brakes of the F25 don't seem to have the initial "bite" of my other BMWs. (E46 328i, E83 X3, E90 M3 and E30 iX) They also don't seem to have the ability to stop the car with the force of my other Bimmers, although the run flat tires may have a lot to do with this. The F25 brakes feel like those of any run of the mill car. Not bad, but not what I've come to expect. This combined with the steering that doesn't have the feel of my previous cars make the F25 different from my other BMWs. I was attracted to the brand because every example I drove felt like a sports car but had the practicality of a sedan or SUV. I fear they're losing the characteristics that gave BMW a unique image. __________________ 2008 E90 M3 - Dinan Stage 3 and BBS CH's 2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite) 2012 Mini Cooper (wife's) 1991 325iX (sold - gone but not forgotten!) 2011 X3 (Performance Center delivery done May '11)

03-24-2013, 06:58 AM	#29
richard in NC Major Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,201 iTrader: (0)	I'll be able to chime in on the F25 brakes in a week. I do recall the E70 and even my 335is felt like a soft brake pedal when new. After a few 100 miles on the clock, I did a bedding in procedure with the E70 which helped a lot. Those brakes now feel incredible when stopping a 5200 pound SUV. But its rotors were much larger than the F25. Simply do a half dozen hard near stops in a row from 60ish and then give them time to cool down before parking. That definitely helps in the bite department. See detailed instructions here: http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm __________________ 2013 X3 35i, Vermillion Red/Sand Beige: MSport, Premium, Technology, Premium Sound, Hud, More... 2012 335is, Space Gray/Oyster-Black: DCT, 19s, Premium, Convenience, Nav, Heated Seats, More... Gone '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i

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03-23-2013, 04:40 PM	#24
ilya335 Private First Class Drives: BMWs Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: West L.A. Posts: 129 iTrader: (0)	I've had a 2013 X3 3.5 for a couple months now and think the car is great. My only concern and the reason I came upon this thread are the brakes. As others have mentioned, the pedal travel is a lot more progressive (meaning you have to push deeper) and there is less initial bite as compared to previous BMW's. I've had a 2006 X3, 2008 335i, 2010 X6, and currently a 2011 M3, and I can definitely say that the pedal feels a lot "spongier" than those cars. This is the first BMW I've ever driven where I instantly noticed that the brakes were different. This is not to say they are bad, but they don't have the same feel as the previous cars and I've noticed I had to adjust due to the pedal travel. I'm going to present my concerns at the dealer next time but from reading this thread, it sounds that it's just a driver adjustment. Also as others mentioned, the actual braking distance depends primarily on the tires. Since most X3's come with all season M+S tires, it makes sense the braking distance is higher. Car and Driver recently had a comparison between the Evoque, the Q5 and the X3, and they mentioned the X3 had the worst braking distance of the bunch primarily due to its tires.

03-23-2013, 08:03 PM	#26
fjrmann Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 BMW X3 X35i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 33 iTrader: (0)	i find the brakes to be outstanding

03-24-2013, 02:22 AM	#27
paulbaz New Member Drives: BMW X3 M Sports Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	I can understand the issue. I came to the X3 after a Lexus ISF. Initially, I too was unhappy with the brakes. However, having now driven the X3 for 4,000+ miles I am quite happy with the brakes. Perhaps it is a case of the brakes bedding in over time and/or simply adjusting ones driving style/right foot to better suit the brakes? Anyway, I have no issue with the braking ability of the X3 now.

03-24-2013, 08:04 AM	#30
woodchuck1 Private Drives: 2013 X3 X-drive 35i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: United States Posts: 67 iTrader: (0)	Tire Rack's web site discusses the need to "bed in" new pads and rotors ( http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/...jsp?techid=85& ) I've had very good luck with smooth stopping, powerful brakes and no pedal pulsation since I have been following their advice.

03-24-2013, 08:28 AM	#31
woodchuck1 Private Drives: 2013 X3 X-drive 35i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: United States Posts: 67 iTrader: (0)	The X3 shifts braking power to the rear brakes to minimize front end dive on braking. I wonder if people might misinterpret that lack of dive, which they have come to expect, as insufficient braking?