Low Dust Brake Pad Options

[8_is_enough]

Originally Posted by krotondo

Mine squeak as well, i did not put any paste on but I only get it when they are super cold for the first few stops. I purchased a set of the Z23's to swap out the Z16's with which are supposed to be better. I will do the swap once the weather gets better (hopefully soon we got 18in of snow today) and report back

Cool, looking forward to hearing about the Z23s!

[Alvinized52]

Originally Posted by exo-shell

I do get the clunk as you described; going forward to reverse. But I also got it with the OEM pads on my F30 and F80.

Originally Posted by CreoUCLA

I get the slight "clunk" noise too when reversing and then going forward the first time (usually it's only noticeable when I back out of the garage in the morning).

I've experienced this on all of the cars I've owned with Brembo calipers, and typically it's more pronounced with aftermarket pads (as the pad tolerances may be different than OEM, causing them to shift a bit more).

Originally Posted by JamesGames

+1, pretty normal, I've had it on stock pads on some cars as well, but mostly like you I got it with aftermarket pads. The pins holding the pads aren't exactly tight fitting, so when the rotors / pads switch directions the pad will hit the pin in whichever direction, and when switching to reverse / forward again it'll reverse and hit the pin again, causing the noise.. keeping it in the same direction the entire time keeps the pad against the pin in that direction, so it doesn't "clunk" into it again.

Originally Posted by ehagerty

Clunk....
It is the pads shifting for and aft in the calipers. The M4 is the worst I have had, the 128i was bad but the M235i had very little to none. It is the aftermarket pad backings being sloppier (under sized) than the factory pad backings

Hey guys, so is there a fix to this clunking noise during braking? Or are you guys just ignoring it.
Its been a while... and its really quite bothersome. Makes me wonder if the reason is simply how you described? or if it could be a more serious issue like suspension? Im worried about making it worse... by ignoring. I know other M4s that dont have this issue... Then again they are using oem pads.

[Rotherd31]

I've had my Power Stops on now for 13,000 miles. No clunking out of mine, but if that is caused by what others have said, not a big deal IMO. I do sometimes have ONE and only ONE squeak when first applying my brakes at the end of my drive. Others have reported the same thing. Certainly not something that bothers me at all compared to the tons of brake dust generated by the OE pads.

[JamesGames]

Originally Posted by Alvinized52

Hey guys, so is there a fix to this clunking noise during braking? Or are you guys just ignoring it.
Its been a while... and its really quite bothersome. Makes me wonder if the reason is simply how you described? or if it could be a more serious issue like suspension? Im worried about making it worse... by ignoring. I know other M4s that dont have this issue... Then again they are using oem pads.

The oem pads didn't do this but the oem pads did rattle for me. For example if i hit bumps or uneven roads, the rear pads when the brake pedal wasn't pressed would rattle, until I held the pads against the rotors upon braking. That was far more annoying than the pad shifting from forward to reverse or vice versa..

[CreoUCLA]

It doesn't bother me, as I've owned other cars with the same "issue/noise." The clunk from these pads shifting is very quiet compared to an Alcon BBK I had in the past...

If the clunking gets progressively worse/louder, then I would have the brakes checked out.

[DavidGP]

I am switching from Z16 to Z23. I installed the rears last night and will do the fronts hopefully tonight. I can already tell a difference with just the rears installed.

Originally I went from stock to Z16 and noticed a slight decrease in initial bite but overall the pads felt really good. A few weeks ago I removed the Z16 and went back to stock for a DE I was attending. It was at this point when I realized how much better stock was over the Z16 and that there was something missing in overall brake feel. I knew I needed another option that provided a little more braking force but with low dust as this is currently my DD. I think I may have found the answer with the Z23. I will report back in a couple days most likely starting a new thread on the topic.

[Need4spd28]

Okay, need some help, fellas. I've got about 1,200 or so miles on mine and these things squeal like a son of a bitch. The guys who installed them did three pretty aggressive stops to bed them, and then about 200 miles later I went out one night and went through the Power Stop bedding process to a T.

The only thing I've noticed is that I feel like it's especially bad when I'm braking gently at low speed, say from 10mph to a stop, or when I'm pulling into my garage and inching forward for example. I absolutely love how clean my wheels stay and I don't even mind the slightly diminished performance, but this squealing has to stop. Nothing like driving an $80K, low 12 second car that sounds like some heap of crap we all probably drove in high school when it's pulling up to a red light.

PLEASE HELP!

[mhanism]

Originally Posted by DavidGP

I am switching from Z16 to Z23. I installed the rears last night and will do the fronts hopefully tonight. I can already tell a difference with just the rears installed.

Originally I went from stock to Z16 and noticed a slight decrease in initial bite but overall the pads felt really good. A few weeks ago I removed the Z16 and went back to stock for a DE I was attending. It was at this point when I realized how much better stock was over the Z16 and that there was something missing in overall brake feel. I knew I needed another option that provided a little more braking force but with low dust as this is currently my DD. I think I may have found the answer with the Z23. I will report back in a couple days most likely starting a new thread on the topic.

Just checking in to see if you had any more feedback/observations on the z23s?

Thanks!!

[DavidGP]

Originally Posted by mhanism

Just checking in to see if you had any more feedback/observations on the z23s?

Thanks!!

Hi, thanks for "checking in". I have Z23's at all 4 corners for about 4 days now. I have been giving the pads some time to settle in after doing the break in procedure as recommended by Power Stop. The pads seem to be getting better by the day. At first couple days I was a little worried as the car just didnt feel confidence inspiring in the case of a panic situation. Today although we had some rain, the initial bite has improved quite a bit. I did notice that there is more pedal effort now, more linear and solid feel. The more pedal effort, the more stopping power available. The Z16 where not like that. There was a mushy dead area at the beginning of pedal travel and lacked any initial bite similar to OEM. The Z23 again feels more solid and brings back braking performance similar to OEM. I would agree with a previous post of about 85% of OEM initial bite. Z16 I would estimate at 50%. Its strange because going from OEM to Z16 I didnt notice a drastic change, but then going from Z16 to OEM pad for a recent track day event the difference was drastic. I had realized what was missing.

I am going to give it another week and report back to see if the Z23's have improved even more.

One other positive thing I noticed is way less oxidation buildup on the rotors after washing the car. Also I would rate the Z23 pad dust a fraction more than the Z16 but the difference is hardly noticeable.

FYI, I have Castrol SRF and brake bleed was done about a month ago.

[mhanism]

Thanks for the feedback! Sorry, didn't mean to be a pest and bother you, my bad.

I have a set of these on order, and was just eager to get more feedback.

Appreciate it sir!

[DavidGP]

Originally Posted by mhanism

Thanks for the feedback! Sorry, didn't mean to be a pest and bother you, my bad.

I have a set of these on order, and was just eager to get more feedback.

Appreciate it sir!

No problem, you reminded me as I had forgotten with a lot going on lately.

[krotondo]

Originally Posted by DavidGP

Hi, thanks for "checking in". I have Z23's at all 4 corners for about 4 days now. I have been giving the pads some time to settle in after doing the break in procedure as recommended by Power Stop. The pads seem to be getting better by the day. At first couple days I was a little worried as the car just didnt feel confidence inspiring in the case of a panic situation. Today although we had some rain, the initial bite has improved quite a bit. I did notice that there is more pedal effort now, more linear and solid feel. The more pedal effort, the more stopping power available. The Z16 where not like that. There was a mushy dead area at the beginning of pedal travel and lacked any initial bite similar to OEM. The Z23 again feels more solid and brings back braking performance similar to OEM. I would agree with a previous post of about 85% of OEM initial bite. Z16 I would estimate at 50%. Its strange because going from OEM to Z16 I didnt notice a drastic change, but then going from Z16 to OEM pad for a recent track day event the difference was drastic. I had realized what was missing.

I am going to give it another week and report back to see if the Z23's have improved even more.

One other positive thing I noticed is way less oxidation buildup on the rotors after washing the car. Also I would rate the Z23 pad dust a fraction more than the Z16 but the difference is hardly noticeable.

FYI, I have Castrol SRF and brake bleed was done about a month ago.

Thanks for this.. I have my set of Z23's in my garage I need to slap on and take out the Z16's. Looking forward to putting them in

[///F80M3]

What about z26's?

[DavidGP]

After almost 1000 miles, these Z23's are feeling really good. The pedal feel from these pads are superior to the Z16. Brake performance improved quite a bit with increased initial bite. Very similar to stock. Highly recommend for a daily driver for stock like performance with minimal dust. The Z16 IMHO is a compromise to performance. Even if you have the Z16 already, for under $80 it is a worthwhile purchase to upgrade. The Z16 just doesnt really make sense on this M platform.

Hope this helps

[mhanism]

I just got these installed this morning. Will report back in a few days, but so far so good. There's a bit less bite vs. OEM, but I'll wait til the break in some and report back.

[Mr. Big]

Originally Posted by RocketBoots

How did you guys take off the sensors?

Was it difficult?

I was reading a little on the DIY thread too. Seems really simple...

Do the sensors only go on two of the wheels? I'm ordering sensors from Pelican Parts and they say the seniors only go on the front left and right rear wheels.

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by Mr. Big

Do the sensors only go on two of the wheels? I'm ordering sensors from Pelican Parts and they say the seniors only go on the front left and right rear wheels.

Correct. Only two sensors.

[krotondo]

Originally Posted by DavidGP

After almost 1000 miles, these Z23's are feeling really good. The pedal feel from these pads are superior to the Z16. Brake performance improved quite a bit with increased initial bite. Very similar to stock. Highly recommend for a daily driver for stock like performance with minimal dust. The Z16 IMHO is a compromise to performance. Even if you have the Z16 already, for under $80 it is a worthwhile purchase to upgrade. The Z16 just doesnt really make sense on this M platform.

Hope this helps

Finally put my z23's on a week or so ago, and i agree with this statement 100%, so much better than the z16's

[RocketBoots]

Originally Posted by Mr. Big

Do the sensors only go on two of the wheels? I'm ordering sensors from Pelican Parts and they say the seniors only go on the front left and right rear wheels.

Don't need to buy new sensors; just re-use the existing ones.

[Mr. Big]

Originally Posted by RocketBoots

Don't need to buy new sensors; just re-use the existing ones.

Yeah, since I was replacing pads that were not worn out, I just used the existing sensors.

[larryv]

Got a question, just received the Power stop Z23 brake pads and noticed on the package that it reads: Z23-1609 Carbon fiber ceramic brake pads. I have the iron brake rotors are these the right pads? Just want to make sure before the install. Thanks

[horsepower_and_hounds]

I agree the feel is not quite factory "M" compound but I love the no black wheels so it is an ok trade off