[Hoops]

Following my track day at Snetterton my brake pad warning light is on - its a genuine warning as the brakes feel pretty crap and under heavy braking are making a noise - so they need doing!!
Just wondered if anyone can recommend an upgraded pad for the 335 that work well, give decent life and ideally limited brake dust???

[dazzapb]

I'm no expert but I have heard good things about Green Stuff pads. I'm sure the guys and gals in the know will be along soon

[Jude1]

Hi, good to hear it went well.

Try doing a search on the US forum on here as they will have tried most aftermarket pads. Pads that work well on other cars / set-ups may not work that well on the 35i etc. Might be worth just sticking with OEM (BMW Dealer pads) for now as your pads may have been getting low before the track day and that has just finished them off. The discs/pads are pretty decent and unless you plan to track it regularly then stick with them, alternatively for better braking and aesthetic pleasure (do you get that in your line of business?), you can go for a full brake upgrade including calipers, discs and pads.

Decent or alternative non standard includes, Pagid, Ferodo, EBC (green,yellow,redstuff), AP, plus many more.

Jules

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by dazzapb

I'm no expert but I have heard good things about Green Stuff pads. I'm sure the guys and gals in the know will be along soon

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

Following my track day at Snetterton my brake pad warning light is on - its a genuine warning as the brakes feel pretty crap and under heavy braking are making a noise - so they need doing!!
Just wondered if anyone can recommend an upgraded pad for the 335 that work well, give decent life and ideally limited brake dust???

The problem is that there aren't many people making replacement front brake pads for the 335i yet. Pagid have a set of rears, and the fronts are being launched imminently - they would be my recommendation. Given you are needing to change the pads, I would suggest changing to a fast-road spec pad - something like the Pagid 421 or 422 compounds, or the Ferodo DS2500.

Give Paul a call at Competition Brake Products (Pagid UK distributor) and see if they can help - 01748 831200 www.racepads.co.uk

For Ferodo, call Performance Parts Direct (Ferodo UK distributor) - 0845 345 1487


Whatever you do, don't get EBC Greens - our cars are too heavy for the Green compound. They are actually worse in terms of loading characteristics than OEM, and have serious fade issues if used hard... I personally don't like EBC pads anyway, mainly due to the lack of feel under hard braking, but if you do need to go down the EBC route, then Red Pads are the minimum...

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Jude1

Hi, good to hear it went well.

Try doing a search on the US forum on here as they will have tried most aftermarket pads.

Jules

The US people tend to use Hawk pads or Axxiss Ultimate street pads - haven't used either of them so can't comment.

I'm using Pagid 422 pads and they're fantastic - solid braking, no fade on the road, and confidence inspiring..

[Jude1]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

The problem is that there aren't many people making replacement front brake pads for the 335i yet. Pagid have a set of rears, and the fronts are being launched imminently - they would be my recommendation. Given you are needing to change the pads, I would suggest changing to a fast-road spec pad - something like the Pagid 421 or 422 compounds, or the Ferodo DS2500.

Give Paul a call at Competition Brake Products (Pagid UK distributor) and see if they can help - 01748 831200 www.racepads.co.uk

For Ferodo, call Performance Parts Direct (Ferodo UK distributor) - 0845 345 1487


Whatever you do, don't get EBC Greens - our cars are too heavy for the Green compound. They are actually worse in terms of loading characteristics than OEM, and have serious fade issues if used hard... I personally don't like EBC pads anyway, mainly due to the lack of feel under hard braking, but if you do need to go down the EBC route, then Red Pads are the minimum...

Good advice and also some info here - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164791

Agree with the EBC comments, have tried both "dimpled" discs and pads in past with bad results.

Jules.

[roofer]

Agree with Jude1 re OEM. Also bear in mind reduction in disc life if left unchanged.

I did a track day recently with newish OEM pads fitted, got the discs a nice shade of blue, but the pads are fine, and held up well on the day.

Performance Friction did a nice kit for the M3 (E46) a while ago, might be worth a look to see if they have a kit for the E90's?

[Hoops]

Thanks Tone - knew you would be there with the info!!!
Just to qualify - are you saying Pagid 422 - but they dont do fronts yet??? Or can you get Pagid 422 all round??
Also - if the rears dont need replacing yet, should i do them anyway or leave the stock in there and just upgrade fronts for now??
If you are using the Pagid 422 all round then i will go with them also.
Ps; O/T i know - but what were your thoughts on Falkens if i replace my RFT's??

[dxb335d]

I agree with tony, i aint a fan of EBC pads at all. Red stuff pads need to be worked hard to be really effective, which on the road is not all the time.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

Thanks Tone - knew you would be there with the info!!!
Just to qualify - are you saying Pagid 422 - but they dont do fronts yet??? Or can you get Pagid 422 all round??
Also - if the rears dont need replacing yet, should i do them anyway or leave the stock in there and just upgrade fronts for now??
If you are using the Pagid 422 all round then i will go with them also.
Ps; O/T i know - but what were your thoughts on Falkens if i replace my RFT's??

I'm saying get Pagid 422s - the rears are definitely available, but don't know on the fronts yet. Think they are imminent. Give Competition Brake Products a call on Monday - speak to Paul. If Pagid don't have the 422 available yet in the front, they can machine down a larger 422 pad down to fit...

I'm using 422s all round incidentally

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

but what were your thoughts on Falkens if i replace my RFT's??

I haven't tried Falkens on my car, so can't comment directly. From what others have said, they are a good standard tyre, which for the price £500ish can't be beaten. However in comparison with the PS2 for instance, the difference from what I can gather is quite considerable, with the PS2s giving more incisive cornering, better grip all round, and greater comfort and wear resistance. IMO you get what you pay for in tyres (more or less) and the main players are the Pirelli PZeros, Continental SportContact 3s, Michelin PS2, and the Bridgestone RE050 (in non-runflat form, they are very very good)

[dazzapb]

I notice that the Continetals SC3's are also available in MFS form according to www.pneus-online.co.uk, which is Maxx Flange Shield

AKA tire guard, Carlos if you are reading this did you opt for the Flange protection

Seem to be a nice compromise with £

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by dazzapb

I notice that the Continetals SC3's are also available in MFS form according to www.pneus-online.co.uk, which is Maxx Flange Shield

AKA tire guard, Carlos if you are reading this did you opt for the Flange protection

Seem to be a nice compromise with £

Sorry mate,ive lost ya?

[dazzapb]

hehe, it seems that there are two options for the SC3's with or without RIM protection or Max Flange Shield (Protects rims from accidental contact with curbs)

I just thought the name was funny

[dxb335d]

I dont know which ones mine are mate? you getting a set of sport conti 3s?

[dazzapb]

Yeah might do pal, depends on how much I want to batter the credit card, PS2's seem fantastic, but are pricey. Will decide after KDS etc is done.

[Hoops]

Again, thanks Tone - will check both pads and tyres next week.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by dazzapb

Yeah might do pal, depends on how much I want to batter the credit card, PS2's seem fantastic, but are pricey. Will decide after KDS etc is done.

Apparently Conti sport 3's are the equivilant to PS2's.

Apparently not quite so good. But ive also heard there better from others so, I can vouch for them though, teh conti's

[Spin]

Go on then scare me how much are we talking for a rear tyre on the 335 in 19" format if opting for conti 3's ?

Not an issue for me yet but no doubt something to look forward to...

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Spin

Go on then scare me how much are we talking for a rear tyre on the 335 in 19" format if opting for conti 3's ?

Not an issue for me yet but no doubt something to look forward to...

I paid 750 for my last 4 tyres.

Have you checked yours since snett?

[Spin]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I paid 750 for my last 4 tyres.

Have you checked yours since snett?

Thats about what I expected but still painful.

There is still plenty of tread on them after the track day even though they now sport a new tread design from the melting, I'm not bothered though as I loved it

Thanks again for organising it

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Spin

Thats about what I expected but still painful.

There is still plenty of tread on them after the track day even though they now sport a new tread design from the melting, I'm not bothered though as I loved it

Thanks again for organising it

Thats ok mate, its great you and ya mates could make it

My tyres are grained a bit but didnt melt?!