Another 135 pad and rotor question

[JasonCSU]

I've been reading numerous threads for opinions on various pads and rotors and have seen those opinions vary widely, so I figured I'd start a new thread. First off, when I needed to replace my rear brakes a couple years ago, I put on new rotors with Cool Carbon pads. I also have a set of Cool Carbons for the front that I was planning to install when needed. I originally bought the Cool Carbons after reading several positive reviews two years ago. I need to replace the front rotors and pads soon, and after reading more recent reviews, I am hesitant about installing them.

I currently have the stock rotors and pads on the front. My car is mostly street driven, though I do 3-4 track days each year. Being that I only do a handful of track days each year, I am not interested in having a separate set of rotors and pads for track use. I'm curious on people's thoughts for a setup with good street performance with occasional track use. Maybe that means sticking to the factory pads and rotors, or would changing to something like Hawk HPS pads be a better option? Also, what do you guys think of the ECS two piece front rotors? Is the weight savings and potential better cooling with the directional vanes and cross drilling worth the extra cost? Thanks for any input.

[giorgioSCL]

I have to say I didn't like Cool Carbons, I bit of hard breaking and they die. I'm about to install Ferodo DS2500.

[JasonCSU]

Thanks for your feedback. I'm surprised with 110 views to this thread, there hasn't been any other posts.

[1er///M]

I'm in the same boat. Front and rear pads are getting low and I'm debating to stay with the stock pads or look at upgrading.

Cost is always a concern and the BMW OEM pads are relatively expensive but going with anything much cheaper would probably lack in the performance department.

I'd love to hear some more people chime in. Is there anything better out there in terms of performance but budget friendly??

[JasonCSU]

After reading numerous threads on various forums, I found mostly mixed reviews on upgraded street pads. A lot of the positive recommendations were for track oriented pads, which of course bring compromise when also running the on the street. I decided to stick with the stock pads seeing how well they have held up at the handful of track days I attend.

Regarding rotors, I ended up going with the ECS 2 piece front rotors and their similar geomet rear rotors. However, I didn't pick these for the look like I suppose some people do. After reading about potential cracking issues with cross-drilled rotors with hard track use, I was leaning towards factory blank rotors again. The factory rotors from the local dealers are spendy, and when ordered from online vendors, they have an expensive shipping cost. I picked the ECS rotors because after accounting for their free shipping, the higher cost over the factory rotors was minimal. The ECS rotors are also shipping sooner too, so I should hopefully have them in time to install before a road trip I have planned next month. It will be interesting to see if I can notice any difference with the lighter weight of the new front rotors.

[giorgioSCL]

Already installed Ferodo DS2500, my use is mostly street, but this weekend hitting the track, I'll come back with feedback. Cheers.

[Boosted_N54]

Originally Posted by giorgioSCL

Already installed Ferodo DS2500, my use is mostly street, but this weekend hitting the track, I'll come back with feedback. Cheers.

let us know how they work out on daily and track use

[kevin @ eas]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

I've been reading numerous threads for opinions on various pads and rotors and have seen those opinions vary widely, so I figured I'd start a new thread. First off, when I needed to replace my rear brakes a couple years ago, I put on new rotors with Cool Carbon pads. I also have a set of Cool Carbons for the front that I was planning to install when needed. I originally bought the Cool Carbons after reading several positive reviews two years ago. I need to replace the front rotors and pads soon, and after reading more recent reviews, I am hesitant about installing them.

I currently have the stock rotors and pads on the front. My car is mostly street driven, though I do 3-4 track days each year. Being that I only do a handful of track days each year, I am not interested in having a separate set of rotors and pads for track use. I'm curious on people's thoughts for a setup with good street performance with occasional track use. Maybe that means sticking to the factory pads and rotors, or would changing to something like Hawk HPS pads be a better option? Also, what do you guys think of the ECS two piece front rotors? Is the weight savings and potential better cooling with the directional vanes and cross drilling worth the extra cost? Thanks for any input.

We have had very good experience with Cool Carbon pads and many satisfied customers.
The current CC pads are from a new stand alone facility with all new tooling, modified processing parameters and formulations changes making them even better starting beginning late 2014.
Very strong following but not a full track pad ----so always a few expecting better track performance.

Excellent street performance, but not a dedicated track pad, ----but good for light track and some HPDE. Hard to beat for street performance, canyon carving and aggressive driving

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by kevin @ eas

We have had very good experience with Cool Carbon pads and many satisfied customers.
The current CC pads are from a new stand alone facility with all new tooling, modified processing parameters and formulations changes making them even better starting beginning late 2014.
Very strong following but not a full track pad ----so always a few expecting better track performance.

Excellent street performance, but not a dedicated track pad, ----but good for light track and some HPDE. Hard to beat for street performance, canyon carving and aggressive driving

Kevin, thanks for the info on the updated Cool Carbon pads. The ones I have were definitely manufactured before that date. I guess if I start doing more and more track days, a dedicated set of rotors and pads will be the the way to go.

[MuNkY6913]

I have recently got in touch with this company. www.rotorpros.net I have yet to find someone that has tried this company. a set of drilled and slotted rotors and pads and wear sensors for our car is normally $400 shipped. they gave me a decent group buy deal if I can get 3 more people at $325 shipped per set for 4 cars. the only thing is the 4 sets would be shipped to one location and then the shipping or disbursement would have to be figured from there. trying to find a couple more local people but that's tough. their website looks good but I can't find anyone to talk to that has used them directly. it says they have a 2 year warranty so can they really be that bad? specially for the price.

[MuNkY6913]

Originally Posted by kevin @ eas

We have had very good experience with Cool Carbon pads and many satisfied customers.

Have you ever heard of the company rotorpros?

[andnkuhn]

I have stock pads and rotors myself. I'm wondering if the pads on the 235i are any good or better than my 135 pads? The everyday performance f my stock 135 pads is really great, but I'm getting TONS of dust and squeaking. Has anyone heard if the 235 are getting less dust or squeking?

[1er///M]

I have a friend with a 2er and he's getting the same amount of dust as we see on the 1.

Your brakes shouldn't be squeaking. It sounds like you need to pull the pads out and reapply some disc brake quiet on the backs. Check to see how much pad is left, if there is still a lot the brake quiet should solve the problem. If not, I'd just replace.

My buddy was cleaning his brakes with brake cleaner and they started squeaking on him. He ended up cleaning all the brake quiet off the back of the pads. We reapplied and everything was good to go.

[Mernardi]

Really depends on how you drive the car. I have crumbled stock pads from track days twice so be careful (helps having warranty and a BMW SA buddy). You should definitely be using a better than stock brake fluid at least.

I decided to try the ECS 2 piece rotors now that I am out of warranty. Also picked up ECS rear slotted/drilled rotors as they shipped the fastest and time was a factor. I've always been hesitant about drilled rotors, but decided to give them a try. With PFC-08 pads, RB pistons, and DIY brake ducting my brakes have never felt better. I do get "pinging" noises after a session, but have no cracks in the rotors. I use this combo as my dual duty track/DD set up.

[giorgioSCL]

Ferodo's are the perfect pad, almost no noise on the street, went to the track, a lot of hard breaking without breaking a sweat. Great stopping power, loved them, and almost no noise on the track either.

Totally recommended, though I coudnt find rears.

[Dynamic1]

To everyone who's changed their own brakes: I'm coming due to change my front pads from OEM to aftermarket, but after I've decided which pads I'll get, what about sensors? I'm assuming they'll need to be changed (they haven't pinged yet), but which ones did you guys use and were there any issues? I'm seeing a pretty broad price spectrum.

[JasonCSU]

I am using the URO sensors and haven't had any issue with them.

[Dynamic1]

Thanks for the feedback.