[bimmer456]

So the car sent a message to the dealer saying to get brakes inspected but last time they said my pads were fine. Is it just a mileage based guess or would there be another indication of the brake wear sensor was tripped? Just wondering if I just need to reset the cbs. I may want to get aftermarket cross drilled rotors as well for less brake fade. I don’t track my car just want more consistent performance if I’m going to do anything and don’t need the overpriced big brake kit if they even still make that. Anyone have recommendations? I could get credit on fcp euro but not sure if it’s front or rear brakes.

[mmm-five]

It's usually an estimate based on driving style, but there should also be a warning when one of the 2 sensors are tripped. I'd probably get them checked/replaced when you can...it's probably just the pads though.

Do you have the larger 370mm rotors, or standard 340mm front rotors?

If you're not tracking it, what the heck are you doing that gives you brake fade!!!

Mine's (335xD) been on track and the Nurburgring and has never suffered brake fade.

I'm on standard pads on 370mm rotors on mine, but maybe you just need different pads - there's BMW ones from the F8x M2/M3/M4 that fit, or aftermarket fast road / track pads?

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by mmm-five

It's usually an estimate based on driving style, but there should also be a warning when one of the 2 sensors are tripped. I'd probably get them checked/replaced when you can...it's probably just the pads though.

Do you have the larger 370mm rotors, or standard 340mm front rotors?

If you're not tracking it, what the heck are you doing that gives you brake fade!!!

Mine's (335xD) been on track and the Nurburgring and has never suffered brake fade.

I'm on standard pads on 370mm rotors on mine, but maybe you just need different pads - there's BMW ones from the F8x M2/M3/M4 that fit, or aftermarket fast road / track pads?

I have the sport line so it’s not m sport size. It is the same size as m sport for the 4 cylinder though. If you drive like a grandma there’s fade but Molly spirited driving there is or if someone cuts you off.

[Billfitz]

It's not even an estimate, it's a guesstimate. The car has no means by which it can measure the pad thickness. If a sensor trips you're down to minimum thickness. Worse, there are eight pads but only two sensors, so you can be down to nothing with six pads and not know it. Regular visual inspection of all the pads is a must.

[mmm-five]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I have the sport line so it’s not m sport size. It is the same size as m sport for the 4 cylinder though. If you drive like a grandma there’s fade but Molly spirited driving there is or if someone cuts you off.

Poor brakes in an emergency situation isn’t ‘fade’ it’s lack of initial ‘bite’.

Fade tends to be when the pads go too far outside of their working temp and/or cause gas build-up between the pad & rotor…usually after lots of hard braking with no cool-off time between applications, and usually exacerbated by - at least with newbies on track - poor track braking technique.

If it is low bite you’re getting then low pads, low brake fluid or air in the system might be the issue.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

It's not even an estimate, it's a guesstimate. The car has no means by which it can measure the pad thickness. If a sensor trips you're down to minimum thickness. Worse, there are eight pads but only two sensors, so you can be down to nothing with six pads and not know it. Regular visual inspection of all the pads is a must.

It is saying front pads are due on the cbs so maybe I’ll have my local mechanic take a look. He did my pads and rotors last time for $100. I got them from fcp but they are not genuine and make some noise at low speed but that was when they were good it’s just always been like that. Looks like I can get genuine pads from getbmwparts for way cheaper than fcp. What does it say on the screen if a sensor trips?

[Billfitz]

When a sensor trips it begins a mileage count down to mandatory pad replacement. As for the pads I got tired of having to clean my wheels daily so I switched to Akebono. They're not entirely dust less but almost, and I felt no loss of braking power.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

When a sensor trips it begins a mileage count down to mandatory pad replacement. As for the pads I got tired of having to clean my wheels daily so I switched to Akebono. They're not entirely dust less but almost, and I felt no loss of braking power.

Ok it is doing a mileage countdown so I should go ahead and order the pads as well as the sensor. The car is old enough the Indy guy should be able to install the sensor.

[Billfitz]

The sensor is a simple plug in. Most pads come with a new sensor. My Akebono did.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The sensor is a simple plug in. Most pads come with a new sensor. My Akebono did.

I got cross drilled and slotted rotors from Amazon and oem pads plus the sensor done with the squeal.

[Billfitz]

Squeal is the result of metal to metal contact between the pads, calipers and pad carriers, due to inadequate lubrication. It can cause pad freeze up too. I had to replace my original pads at only 11k miles because the factory didn't lube them and they froze.

[mmm-five]

In my track car, I was happy to live with a bit of squeal due to the harsher pads, but then I fitted some (relatively expensive) titanium pad shims between the pad and the pistons to 1) reduce a bit of the squeal, and 2) reduce the amount of heat going into the piston and fluid.

I have a Porsche caliper kit on my Z4MC, so something like these in my case...
https://www.rennline.com/rennline-ti...shims-sku-cs23

But some makes of pad come with a 'rubber' shim on the back of the pad to reduce vibration/squeal...assuming the squeal is coming from the pad/caliper and not the disc.