How’s Akebono euro ultra ceramic pads?

[parky1215]

My 2015 F80 has little bit over 50k miles and I recently got service light to replace brake fluid.
I was thinking about doing that and also do brake pad swap at the same time.

I am looking for street (non-track use) pad that is quiet and produce less dust.

I searched forum and found few brands such as PowerStop, Centric, Akebono, and Cool Carbon.
Unfortunately, I did not find too many review for these pads in here so I searched old e90 M3 forum.
Out of all brands mentioned above, it seems like Akebono has most positive reviews.
So I was wondering if anyone here used Akebono ceramic pads on F80/82 cars. Please let me know if you have any experience.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by parky1215

My 2015 F80 has little bit over 50k miles and I recently got service light to replace brake fluid.
I was thinking about doing that and also do brake pad swap at the same time.

I am looking for street (non-track use) pad that is quiet and produce less dust.

I searched forum and found few brands such as PowerStop, Centric, Akebono, and Cool Carbon.
Unfortunately, I did not find too many review for these pads in here so I searched old e90 M3 forum.
Out of all brands mentioned above, it seems like Akebono has most positive reviews.
So I was wondering if anyone here used Akebono ceramic pads on F80/82 cars. Please let me know if you have any experience.

I’ve had Akebono brake pads on my other cars. Very quiet pads. Initial bite isn’t as great as stock but still brake very well. They don’t dust as much either. Can’t go wrong with Akebono if you’re daily driving the M4.

[Ervin87]

Akebono pads will be fine. For sure less dust.

[SCKOMS]

I have used EBC Redstuff on my Ferrari 430 and previously on my Audi R8. Way less dust than OEM and very quiet. The Audi OEM pads squeaked something fierce.

[JeffO]

Cool Carbon pads (standard version) are not low dust in my experience. I used them on an X5, and initially did not like them at all. After some miles they performed well, but dust worse than factory pads. They also wear fast. If you want clean wheels these are not a good choice. Akebono replaced the Cool Carbons and the brake feel is noticeably worse, but dust is very low. Most drivers rate brake feel as acceptable, however to me maximum braking is reduced compared to Cool Carbon or Hawk HPS. On my F80 I have Yellowstuff and I like them better than stock M pads, but would rate the dust about equal to stock. Hawk HPS (old version, haven't used the new one) dust less than factory pads but more than Akebono. I have also used Stoptech sport pads on other cars and found them good brake feel, but dust about the same as stock pads, meaning pretty dirty wheels after one week daily driving (250 - 300miles).

[allinon72]

I've used Akebono on other vehicles and have always been impressed. Build quality is excellent, always comes with stainless hardware, and never any unusual noise.

[parky1215]

Originally Posted by JeffO

Cool Carbon pads (standard version) are not low dust in my experience. I used them on an X5, and initially did not like them at all. After some miles they performed well, but dust worse than factory pads. They also wear fast. If you want clean wheels these are not a good choice. Akebono replaced the Cool Carbons and the brake feel is noticeably worse, but dust is very low. Most drivers rate brake feel as acceptable, however to me maximum braking is reduced compared to Cool Carbon or Hawk HPS. On my F80 I have Yellowstuff and I like them better than stock M pads, but would rate the dust about equal to stock. Hawk HPS (old version, haven't used the new one) dust less than factory pads but more than Akebono. I have also used Stoptech sport pads on other cars and found them good brake feel, but dust about the same as stock pads, meaning pretty dirty wheels after one week daily driving (250 - 300miles).

I placed order for Akebono ceramic, so I will see how it goes.
I was also looking in to Hawk HPS but for some reason, this doesn't seem popular on M cars... maybe I will try that next time.

[FreeDarko]

How are they in the cold/winter?

[PhatLyfe]

Originally Posted by SCKOMS

I have used EBC Redstuff on my Ferrari 430 and previously on my Audi R8. Way less dust than OEM and very quiet. The Audi OEM pads squeaked something fierce.

EBC's red stuff squeal like a little pig on my wife's Camry..

[ByeFelicia]

parky1215

How are they? I am justtttt about to pull the trigger on these for the front. Cleaning my wheels takes more time than washing the car so need to know lol.

[parky1215]

Originally Posted by ByeFelicia

parky1215

How are they? I am justtttt about to pull the trigger on these for the front. Cleaning my wheels takes more time than washing the car so need to know lol.

I've been using them for month or so now. I think they are great pad.
Initial bite might not be as good as stock pad but I like it this way as braking now feels linear.
I do not hear any nasty grinding/scratching noise cold or hot, but I do hear some weird noise which is kind of hard to describe.
It sounds like electric car when stopping slowly. Something like how electric car regen braking system sounds like.

[ByeFelicia]

parky1215

Interesting to hear about the noises. Im unfamiliar but ready to give it a shot.

How about the brake dust though? This is something im very curious about compared to stock.

Hopefully significantly minimal in comparison to the stock pads?
Oh and did they come with the sensors?

[parky1215]

Originally Posted by ByeFelicia

parky1215

Interesting to hear about the noises. Im unfamiliar but ready to give it a shot.

How about the brake dust though? This is something im very curious about compared to stock.

Hopefully significantly minimal in comparison to the stock pads?
Oh and did they come with the sensors?

Yes, brake dust reduction is very significant. I haven't cleaned my wheel for month or so and I am still able to see silver portion of my stock 19 inch black wheel. Before, those silver portion would be covered in dust making my wheel look like all dark gray/black wheel.

[Alpine-F80]

I know this thread is old, but for future reference if someone’s looking for info on the Akebono Euro F80 brakes, at least up front I was getting a clunk when switching from front / reverse or vice versa.

Otherwise no noises, and definitely much less brake dust, but clunk was noteworthy in my case. Switched back to stock pads to see and no more noise. I may put the akebonos back to be 100% sure but the install seemed good when I removed. Clunks are somewhat normal for a track pad but for a daily, low dust pad I’d rather avoid it personally.

I haven’t seen others mention this in the F8x forums but have seen it for other make/models and the akebono pads. May try and EBC or Hawk street pad next.

[MineralWhiteF80]

My Akebono Euro Ceramic whatever pads also have pad knock going from FWD->R and R->FWD. About the same pad knock as my Performance Friction 11 compound track pads have.

I think a lot of aftermarket pads dont have the same tight tolerances as the OEM BMW factory pads and the likelihood of pad knock is much higher. Am I going to change them because of the pad knock? Nope, i just dont care about that.

I do love the 'no dust' feature though- so much better. they are a great 'Sunday cruiser' street pad to get around town, but driving hard or fast on the street, they have less initial bite and can fade quite easily for me.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by parky1215

…
I do not hear any nasty grinding/scratching noise cold or hot, but I do hear some weird noise which is kind of hard to describe.
It sounds like electric car when stopping slowly. Something like how electric car regen braking system sounds like.

I realize your post is 4 years old but for others who may replace their brake pads with Akebono ultra premium ceramic, I also have this weird noise that is hard to describe, exactly as you put it. That sound/noise can only be heard with either open windows or closed and no music playing at normal level. Most likely our brains will learn and forget it!

Some back and forth with Akebono, one answer is that it may be the combo of ceramic pads with our rotors, whilst the BMW pads are semi metallic

[4Y_stack_acceleration]

Akebono ultra ceramics are fine but whatever you do, do not track them. Not even a single event. Wears through faster than OEM pads in my experience

[5thscaleracer]

Originally Posted by 4Y_stack_acceleration

Akebono ultra ceramics are fine but whatever you do, do not track them. Not even a single event. Wears through faster than OEM pads in my experience

this is 100% true!