recommended break kits

turbo4 · 04-11-2021, 11:04 AM

I have 2016 X3 diesel and I am going to have to change my breaks in next few months. OEM bmw x3 breaks are not that great, soft and it takes lots of pedal travel to start breaking.

When I first got the x3, these were full of rust. What would you guys recommend for the kit, break pads and rotors? I don't like the calipers being rusted as they are but it would cost a lot to replace them as well.

Blaster400 · 04-11-2021, 04:12 PM

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...4106879122ktfr

Bdavi011 · 04-11-2021, 07:34 PM

I have Zimmerman and Akebono combo on my X3 35i. I recommend it. No issues with braking. Barley any brake dust and after 15k miles barley any wear.

turbo4 · 04-11-2021, 11:46 PM

Zimmerman and Akebono combo seams like a very good choice. Both of your, thank you for suggestions.

Wgosma · 04-12-2021, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo4

Zimmerman and Akebono combo seams like a very good choice. Both of your, thank you for suggestions.

You will get a bit better initial/cold bite with stock BMW pads compared to the ceramic pads, this is why I use the stock pads, but dust generation is much greater w/stock pads.

andreigbs · 04-12-2021, 09:23 AM

Ceramic pads typically last longer, create much less dust and result in less to fading under repeated use.

These are all good reasons to "upgrade" to ceramic, IMO.

TEF · 04-16-2021, 06:15 PM

I don't have any brands to recommend, but would suggest ceramic pads because they produce much less brake dust and are much kinder to rotors. The OE semi metallic pads typically score rotors beyond repair and it's rotors that are the expensive part of a brake job. Like you, rust (from road salt) is always a problem where I live, so coated rotors can reduce this in areas not swept by pads.

383vett · 04-16-2021, 06:18 PM

Another recommendation for ceramic BRAKES. Hate the dust and have them on all my cars including my Z06.

FranzX3M · 04-19-2021, 10:24 AM

EBC Red are good ceramic pads. Better than stock performance and low dust. Long life as well. For rotors, Zimmerman.

okayr · 04-19-2021, 07:55 PM

Just did front and back with Zimmerman/Akebono kit from FCP. I couldn't really tell too much of a difference in stopping speed but I have noticed less dust.
I agree that the brakes are not really the best. I did the DSC reset to try to stiffen the pedal. It helps some initially but after a few days of driving the pedal feels pretty soft again. If you're interested this is what I followed:

FranzX3M · 04-20-2021, 11:54 AM

I am much happier with by brakes now after installing braided brake lines, EBC Yellow pads and changing the brake fluid. Stopping performance and pedal feel is much improved. The EBC yellow pads are dusty but that is the price for higher friction and initial bite. People often overlook brake fluid maintenance and must be done anyways if changing the brake lines. I did it myself and it is not difficult but takes some time.

andreigbs · 04-22-2021, 08:51 AM

+1 on the brake fluid flush. I had it done for my X3d recently before a longer trip and the braking feel is much better.

It's one of those things we tend to overlook but it makes a big difference.

04-11-2021, 11:04 AM	#1
turbo4 markster 7 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 xdrive28d Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	recommended break kits I have 2016 X3 diesel and I am going to have to change my breaks in next few months. OEM bmw x3 breaks are not that great, soft and it takes lots of pedal travel to start breaking. When I first got the x3, these were full of rust. What would you guys recommend for the kit, break pads and rotors? I don't like the calipers being rusted as they are but it would cost a lot to replace them as well.
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04-11-2021, 04:12 PM	#2
Blaster400 Captain 127 Rep 865 Posts Drives: BMW X3 35i, Porsche Macan S Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Scottsdale AZ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 Porsche Macan S [0.00] 2012 BMW X3 35i [0.00]	https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...4106879122ktfr
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04-11-2021, 07:34 PM	#3
Bdavi011 Private First Class 54 Rep 119 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW X3 3.5i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I have Zimmerman and Akebono combo on my X3 35i. I recommend it. No issues with braking. Barley any brake dust and after 15k miles barley any wear.
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04-11-2021, 11:46 PM	#4
turbo4 markster 7 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 xdrive28d Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	Zimmerman and Akebono combo seams like a very good choice. Both of your, thank you for suggestions.
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04-12-2021, 09:23 AM	#6
andreigbs Dr Drei 71 Rep 245 Posts Drives: X3d Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: WI iTrader: (0) Garage List '16 X3d [0.00]	Ceramic pads typically last longer, create much less dust and result in less to fading under repeated use. These are all good reasons to "upgrade" to ceramic, IMO. __________________ GLK 250 // 126xxx miles // 36 MPG // Mobil1 ESP 5w30
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04-16-2021, 06:15 PM	#7
TEF First Lieutenant 111 Rep 377 Posts Drives: 16 X3 28d/18 540d xdrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Western PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2016 X3 28d [0.00]	I don't have any brands to recommend, but would suggest ceramic pads because they produce much less brake dust and are much kinder to rotors. The OE semi metallic pads typically score rotors beyond repair and it's rotors that are the expensive part of a brake job. Like you, rust (from road salt) is always a problem where I live, so coated rotors can reduce this in areas not swept by pads.
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04-16-2021, 06:18 PM	#8
383vett Major 626 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i, 2012 X3 Xdrive35 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Moraga, California iTrader: (0)	Another recommendation for ceramic BRAKES. Hate the dust and have them on all my cars including my Z06. __________________ 2016 Z06 Vette, 10.53@132 1984 Vette, 406, 10.23@131 2021 SQ5
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04-19-2021, 10:24 AM	#9
FranzX3M Private 17 Rep 80 Posts Drives: '13 X3M Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	EBC Red are good ceramic pads. Better than stock performance and low dust. Long life as well. For rotors, Zimmerman.
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04-19-2021, 07:55 PM	#10
okayr Private First Class 32 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Just did front and back with Zimmerman/Akebono kit from FCP. I couldn't really tell too much of a difference in stopping speed but I have noticed less dust. I agree that the brakes are not really the best. I did the DSC reset to try to stiffen the pedal. It helps some initially but after a few days of driving the pedal feels pretty soft again. If you're interested this is what I followed:
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04-20-2021, 11:54 AM	#11
FranzX3M Private 17 Rep 80 Posts Drives: '13 X3M Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	I am much happier with by brakes now after installing braided brake lines, EBC Yellow pads and changing the brake fluid. Stopping performance and pedal feel is much improved. The EBC yellow pads are dusty but that is the price for higher friction and initial bite. People often overlook brake fluid maintenance and must be done anyways if changing the brake lines. I did it myself and it is not difficult but takes some time.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-22-2021, 08:51 AM	#12
andreigbs Dr Drei 71 Rep 245 Posts Drives: X3d Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: WI iTrader: (0) Garage List '16 X3d [0.00]	+1 on the brake fluid flush. I had it done for my X3d recently before a longer trip and the braking feel is much better. It's one of those things we tend to overlook but it makes a big difference. __________________ GLK 250 // 126xxx miles // 36 MPG // Mobil1 ESP 5w30
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