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      09-07-2012, 06:04 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nahoa View Post
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.
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      03-23-2013, 04:40 PM   #24
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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.
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      03-23-2013, 06:06 PM   #25
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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...
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      03-23-2013, 08:03 PM   #26
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i find the brakes to be outstanding
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      03-24-2013, 02:22 AM   #27
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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.
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      03-24-2013, 06:32 AM   #28
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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.
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      03-24-2013, 06:58 AM   #29
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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
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      03-24-2013, 08:04 AM   #30
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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.
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      03-24-2013, 08:28 AM   #31
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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?
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      03-24-2013, 10:42 AM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woodchuck1 View Post
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.
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      02-19-2016, 04:02 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noka View Post
X3 Owner's Manual also mentions break-in for brakes as well as engine.
Ok I'm reviving this old thread because I can't seem to find any resolution the spongy brake issue with the X3.

I think it's the brake pad compound....both my wife and I are used to our previous SAVs braking feel (2004 X5 3.0 Sport). The key difference is the initial bite.

I've looked around online and the best choice seems to be the Hawk HP Plus. The Hawk HP Street (HPS) reviews were mixed. The issue here, however, is that the HP Plus might be too aggressive for street use.

Any real world solutions?
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      02-19-2016, 08:52 PM   #34
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I have replaced the stock pads with EBC Green Stuff (to try and cut down on dust). I can't recall what the OEM pads felt like, but the EBC still feel spongy to me. They brake fine, but pedal is not confidence inspiring. My only frame of reference is my M3 though...
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      02-19-2016, 09:04 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skru_fase View Post
I have replaced the stock pads with EBC Green Stuff (to try and cut down on dust). I can't recall what the OEM pads felt like, but the EBC still feel spongy to me. They brake fine, but pedal is not confidence inspiring. My only frame of reference is my M3 though...
Currently, we've got an F30 335i, F22 M235i, and an F25 X3 28xdrive. They all feel kinda spongy to me but the X3 is by far the worst.

So any improvement is an improvement.

Where did you get the EBCs from?

Ever try the Hawks?

Thanks!
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      02-19-2016, 09:05 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by midlifecrisis View Post
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.
Any resolution to this?
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      02-20-2016, 09:00 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mywifes335 View Post
Currently, we've got an F30 335i, F22 M235i, and an F25 X3 28xdrive. They all feel kinda spongy to me but the X3 is by far the worst.

So any improvement is an improvement.

Where did you get the EBCs from?

Ever try the Hawks?

Thanks!
My mechanics is a fan of the EBC, he had them. I'm not sold on them. I have Stoptech Street Performance on my car for daily driving, and would buy those next time for the X3. They even hold up for light track duty...

I used Hawk (HPS?) on a car years ago. They were fine. A friend uses the DT60? on the track and likes them, but they are loud as hell...
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      02-21-2016, 02:46 PM   #38
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I've noticed no problems with the brakes. And that is coming from my previous car, which tended to touchy brakes.
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      02-21-2016, 06:39 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skru_fase View Post
My mechanics is a fan of the EBC, he had them. I'm not sold on them. I have Stoptech Street Performance on my car for daily driving, and would buy those next time for the X3. They even hold up for light track duty...

I used Hawk (HPS?) on a car years ago. They were fine. A friend uses the DT60? on the track and likes them, but they are loud as hell...
I think those are being phased out in favor of the Hawk 5.0.
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      02-22-2016, 08:39 AM   #40
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I concur that the X3 brakes aren't great. Initial bite is lackluster and stopping distances are longer than I'd like. That said, at least they're consistent and are OK once you get used to them.
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      02-22-2016, 09:40 AM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by double_j View Post
I concur that the X3 brakes aren't great. Initial bite is lackluster and stopping distances are longer than I'd like. That said, at least they're consistent and are OK once you get used to them.
One does need to get use to the X3's brakes, when I drive the X3 and another car back to back, there is an adjustment period.
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      02-23-2016, 11:37 AM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mywifes335 View Post
Any resolution to this?
Wow! I had to scroll back to see when I wrote my original comment! (Almost 3 years ago.)

Yes, there's resolution. For almost 2 years I've been driving the X5 35d that replaced the X3. I've also purchased an M235 since writing this post. Neither of these cars have the problem I perceived with the X3. I don't know if it was just my car or something that was an issue with the model.
Sorry I can't be more help, but for numerous reasons I'm much happier with the X5. Most of it has to do with my feeling that the wide torque band of turbocharged and diesel powertrains is much more suitable to heavier vehicles. The NA six in my 2011 X3 wasn't as good, in my opinion. This doesn't have anything to do with the brakes and I'm sure all of the current powertrains are an improvement, but I figured I'd throw it in.
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      02-23-2016, 04:22 PM   #43
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my brakes a perfect. never felt anything weak about them.
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      02-23-2016, 09:22 PM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by midlifecrisis View Post
Wow! I had to scroll back to see when I wrote my original comment! (Almost 3 years ago.)

Yes, there's resolution. For almost 2 years I've been driving the X5 35d that replaced the X3. I've also purchased an M235 since writing this post. Neither of these cars have the problem I perceived with the X3. I don't know if it was just my car or something that was an issue with the model.
Sorry I can't be more help, but for numerous reasons I'm much happier with the X5. Most of it has to do with my feeling that the wide torque band of turbocharged and diesel powertrains is much more suitable to heavier vehicles. The NA six in my 2011 X3 wasn't as good, in my opinion. This doesn't have anything to do with the brakes and I'm sure all of the current powertrains are an improvement, but I figured I'd throw it in.
No worries. I've also an M235i and wife went from E53 X5 to F25 X3 and X3s brakes have the worst feel of about a half a dozen BMWs we've had...

It has little initial bite and the pedal travel seems spongy. Brand new. Bedded in, all that jazz.

So similar experience as yours.
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