Brake pads are a crucial component of your car. In the world of 0-60 times, many often forget that 60-0 time, or rather distance, is a far more important metric, at least from a safety point of view. Brake components wear out over time, which affects your car’s ability to brake safely. While the replacement interval will vary from driver to driver, what ties all of them together is that every owner would like to equip their car with reliable brake pads.
Beyond the genuine manufacturer parts, you can choose from several aftermarket BMW brake pads. This article covers everything you should know about picking the suitable brake pads for your car and driving style and some options you won’t be disappointed with.
What Are The Different Types Of Brake Pads?
Brake pads differ in design, as well as the compound used to create friction. Not all pads are made the same, to say the least. Some are oriented toward performance, while others aim for comfort and cleaner wheels. Choosing brake pads for BMW cars comes down to finding what best suits your needs as a driver. Broadly speaking, BMW brake pads can be classified into three types:
Organic Brake Pads
Organic brake pads also referred to as non-asbestos organic (NAO) brake pads, are one of the most commonly used types of BMW brake pads. Initially, brake pads were made from asbestos for their heat-dissipating properties. However, manufacturers soon realized that asbestos was toxic and that using them in an application that caused them to degrade was far from ideal. As a result, manufacturers switched to using other organic substances like glass, rubber, carbon, or Kevlar.
These brake pads don’t offer the best performance and are softer than the other two types of brake pads. They are also quiet, making them ideal for use on a daily driver or a car that doesn’t require high-performance braking. On the downside, these brake pads tend to wear out sooner than BMW brake pads that also have metal in their construction. Additionally, their thermal efficiency is low, and they function effectively only within a specific temperature window.
Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
As the name suggests, semi-metallic brake pads have higher metallic content — from 30% to 65% — than organic brake pads. The metal in question is typically a combination of steel, iron, graphite, and copper. This largely depends on the brand you go with. Owing to the metal in their construction, semi-metallic BMW brake pads are more resistant to heat and can handle higher temperatures better. For this reason, they are a preferred aftermarket choice for someone who plans on taking their BMW M3 to the racetrack.
On the downside, the metal in them can also cause lots of brake dust, which is a nightmare for anyone who likes to have their wheels looking clean. Plus, these brake pads are harder and louder than their non-metallic counterparts. While this may not be an issue on a track car, you might experience a slightly noisier ride if you use them on your daily driver.
The added hardness also results in them causing more stress to the brake rotors, which can reduce the lifespan of said rotors. Brake rotors are typically more expensive than brake pads, so it’s a compromise to consider before you invest in semi-metallic brake pads.
Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads are an increasingly popular upgrade to the standard brake pads on your car.
For starters, ceramic BMW brake pads are some of the quietest you can get for your car. Even under hard braking, it’s unlikely that you’ll hear the brakes squeal. These pads also produce less dust and residue as they wear, making them easier to maintain. Lastly, ceramic brake pads work well in a broader temperature range than organic ones. That said, their effectiveness can drop notably in extremely cold conditions.
On the downside, ceramic brake pads don’t bite as well as semi-metallic ones do. They also don’t have the best thermal properties and can cause heat generated to transfer to surrounding components like the rotors, which will wear them out sooner, too.
What to Look for in BMW Brake Pads?
Now that you’re familiar with the different types of brake pads, there are some factors to consider that will make the decision process more straightforward. These include the effect of weather on them, cold and hot bite, noise levels, dust generation, their impact on the rotors, and their maximum operating temperature (MOT). These terms are self-explanatory, so we won’t dive into the specifics.
When Should BMW Brake Pads Be Replaced?
It’s impossible to predict how long BMW brake pads will last on your car, as it depends on how you drive and what conditions the brake pads are subject to. However, most owners will find that the factory-installed hardware typically lasts between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. Again, this estimate can vary drastically based on multiple factors.
A visual inspection is a great way to determine how worn out your BMW brake pads are. Additionally, there are several other symptoms you will likely notice if the pads are due for a change:
Brake Squealing
If you hear a loud, squealing noise from the brake pads when you press down on the brake pedals, it’s a sign that the pads have worn out and cannot produce adequate friction levels. If you don’t change your pads on time, it can cause damage to the rotor, which is a more expensive part.
Brake Pulsing
Brake pulsing is another sign that your BMW brake pads must be replaced. Uneven wear on the pads can result in intermittent braking pressure, translating to a pulsating feeling at the brake pedal. While this could also indicate other issues in the braking system — likely with the pump or brake fluid — it’s something you should rectify as soon as possible.
Braking Performance
This is rather obvious. Worn-out brake pads will result in longer stopping distances from reduced performance.
Which BMW Brake Pads Should I Get?
The brake pads best suited for your BMW will come down to multiple factors, most notably the conditions you drive in and what kind of performance you require from them. For instance, semi-metallic brake pads are an excellent choice for the track, but they may be overkill for regular daily use.
While several aftermarket options may help you save a little money, we urge you to avoid these and consider investing in a quality product. Having sub-par brake pads can put you and those that share the road with you at risk. If you’re looking for an alternative to genuine BMW brake pads, you should look at options from trusted names like Akebono and Brembo. All three of these companies manufacture great pads that have been extensively tested and adhere to the highest performance and safety standards.
The Akebono Euro brake pad has been the go-to choice for many owners who want a reliable pad designed specifically for higher-end European vehicles. Brembo also carries a great range of brake pads for those looking to dial in their braking performance. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. Check out our selection of brake pads to find products from both of these companies at great prices.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Brake Pads on a BMW?
The prices for reliable, high-quality brake pads range from around $100 to $300 for an axle. As we mentioned above, prices will vary depending on what brake pads you opt for. Labor charges for having your pads changed depend on the shop. However, if you find that the pads have caused other parts of the braking system, like the rotors, to wear out, you will also have to get them replaced.
Get Quality BMW Brake Pads from Bimmers.com!
Replacing your brake pads on time is vital if you want to keep your car’s braking performance to remain at its very best. While replacing the pads, getting parts that can perform as expected is essential, irrespective of your driving style and conditions. When you want new BMW brake pads, check out the multiple options available at Bimmers.com.
With a portfolio that includes brake air ducts, master cylinders, rotors, ABS systems, and more, Bimmers.com has one of the largest inventories of BMW parts in North America. Just head on over to the shop section and enter the model and year of your car to see all the parts that are currently in stock.
