[M4_GTS]

Update. Installed the Akebono and I am happy to report they are noise free. They also stop much better than the power stop pads which are junk.

[eleven11]

OP reporting in...

I've had the Akebonos installed for a few hundred miles now. I'm very happy with the results. My primary objective was to reduce brake dust, without squeal or performance compromise. The brake dust is significantly reduced. I have zero squeal. The performance is as good as the OEM, though I haven't had any prolonged spirited drives yet to compare fade.

[khj24]

Reviving an old thread, but I bought a set of these to replace the powerstop z23's I have on my m235. Im hoping these dont shift as much front to back after going from drive to reverse and vice versa, the powerstops have gotten really bad on the drivers side. Hope to install them tomorrow.

[deepghosh]

Originally Posted by khj24

Reviving an old thread, but I bought a set of these to replace the powerstop z23's I have on my m235. Im hoping these dont shift as much front to back after going from drive to reverse and vice versa, the powerstops have gotten really bad on the drivers side. Hope to install them tomorrow.

Keep us posted. My M Performance brakes are being shipped to me and I'm wondering if I shouldn't even bother trying out the stock pads and going straight for the Akebonos.

[khj24]

Originally Posted by deepghosh

Keep us posted. My M Performance brakes are being shipped to me and I'm wondering if I shouldn't even bother trying out the stock pads and going straight for the Akebonos.

I couldn't live with the amount of dust those put off.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by deepghosh

Keep us posted. My M Performance brakes are being shipped to me and I'm wondering if I shouldn't even bother trying out the stock pads and going straight for the Akebonos.

Consider Hawk 5.0 pads. Much better bite than stock, warm up immediately and are quiet unlike ceramics, and brake dust is light and light in color, not at all like black sticky dust from stock pads. Washes right off. Hawk 5.0 are usually less expensive too. See attached photo for part numbers.

[deepghosh]

Originally Posted by johnung

Consider Hawk 5.0 pads. Much better bite than stock, warm up immediately and are quiet unlike ceramics, and brake dust is light and light in color, not at all like black sticky dust from stock pads. Washes right off. Hawk 5.0 are usually less expensive too. See attached photo for part numbers.

Damn already ordered the Akebonos from rockauto yesterday. I'll give them a shot first and try the Hawks if I don't like them. Thanks though

[khj24]

So far I like them, oddly enough the feel isn't that great with light applications, but the bite is vastly improved. No clunk going from reverse to drive, or at least not loud enough for me to hear it. Still get the grinding noise and inconsistent performance under heavy application on rough roads, as I tried to detail somewhere in my post history. I am almost certain that is suspension related and the brakes are fine though.

[liveevil]

Originally Posted by johnung

Consider Hawk 5.0 pads. Much better bite than stock, warm up immediately and are quiet unlike ceramics, and brake dust is light and light in color, not at all like black sticky dust from stock pads. Washes right off. Hawk 5.0 are usually less expensive too. See attached photo for part numbers.

Do they work with the factory pad sensors? Thanks

[johnung]

Originally Posted by liveevil

Do they work with the factory pad sensors? Thanks

Yes, no problem working with the pad wear sensors

[deepghosh]

Originally Posted by khj24

So far I like them, oddly enough the feel isn't that great with light applications, but the bite is vastly improved. No clunk going from reverse to drive, or at least not loud enough for me to hear it. Still get the grinding noise and inconsistent performance under heavy application on rough roads, as I tried to detail somewhere in my post history. I am almost certain that is suspension related and the brakes are fine though.

Can you elaborate on the feel with light applications? Like they don't stop as smoothly or you need to apply more pressure or what? Thanks!

[khj24]

Originally Posted by deepghosh

Can you elaborate on the feel with light applications? Like they don't stop as smoothly or you need to apply more pressure or what? Thanks!

They are braking fine and have good power, but for me until I start pushing a bit harder there's not much feedback.

[mikeyymonster]

Originally Posted by khj24

Reviving an old thread, but I bought a set of these to replace the powerstop z23's I have on my m235. Im hoping these dont shift as much front to back after going from drive to reverse and vice versa, the powerstops have gotten really bad on the drivers side. Hope to install them tomorrow.

I just installed the z23 pads on my m235i and the squeal I get when it's cold is absolutely horrible. It is bad enough that I want to change pads even though I just installed these. With that said, do you get any squeal at all with the Akebonos seeing as you also came from z23s? I would hate to do all this and have the same results! Thanks.

[khj24]

Originally Posted by mikeyymonster

I just installed the z23 pads on my m235i and the squeal I get when it's cold is absolutely horrible. It is bad enough that I want to change pads even though I just installed these. With that said, do you get any squeal at all with the Akebonos seeing as you also came from z23s? I would hate to do all this and have the same results! Thanks.

No squealing yet

[mlev]

Originally Posted by mikeyymonster

I just installed the z23 pads on my m235i and the squeal I get when it's cold is absolutely horrible. It is bad enough that I want to change pads even though I just installed these. With that said, do you get any squeal at all with the Akebonos seeing as you also came from z23s? I would hate to do all this and have the same results! Thanks.

Your rotors may be glazed and may need to be replaced to fix the squeal, depending on mileage and previous pad wear. Unless something is wrong with "z23" pads.
Otherwise, put on new Zimmermann rotors and Akebono pads and you will not hear it squeal ever again. I'm experienced in this issue and it was torture having super loud squealing breaks all the time.

[mikeyymonster]

Originally Posted by mlev

Your rotors may be glazed and may need to be replaced to fix the squeal, depending on mileage and previous pad wear. Unless something is wrong with "z23" pads.
Otherwise, put on new Zimmermann rotors and Akebono pads and you will not hear it squeal ever again. I'm experienced in this issue and it was torture having super loud squealing breaks all the time.

Thanks. My rotors were actually replaced the same time I installed the z23 pads, so still new. The squeal I have is consistent with what people have been reporting which is just on initial braking from a cold morning (or night if parked outside). I might have to give Akebono a shot.

[mikeyymonster]

Originally Posted by khj24

No squeaking yet

I ordered!

[mlev]

Originally Posted by mikeyymonster

Thanks. My rotors were actually replaced the same time I installed the z23 pads, so still new. The squeal I have is consistent with what people have been reporting which is just on initial braking from a cold morning (or night if parked outside). I might have to give Akebono a shot.

Did you follow break in procedures listed on the box? Some pads require specific hard braking in quick intervals to break in and prevent squeal. Akebono does not. Also need to apply the pad grease that the pads come with.
I had a cheap pair from r1 concepts that had an ear piercing squealing issue when cold. I cringed every time I had to brake near someone walking by. I could not fix it and it got worse over time. I think the cheaper pads are definitely more prone to it.

[pauli18c]

Everyone still enjoying their Akebono pads?

[deepghosh]

Originally Posted by pauli18c

Everyone still enjoying their Akebono pads?

I'm still enjoying them, my only gripe is they squeak pretty bad when coming to a stop once they're warmed up a bit. Others on here have said they don't squeak at all so I'm wondering if I need to just apply some more brake quiet to the backs of the pads - just haven't had time to get around to it yet. Put about 5,000 miles on them so far

[Logicoeur]

Originally Posted by pauli18c

Everyone still enjoying their Akebono pads?

No squeaking, about to be a year of use on stock 335i brakes. In the midst of upgrading to 345mm rears, New rotors all around ( Platz1 340mm floating for the front, R1 Concepts 345mm with aluminum hats in the rear). Purchasing akebono for the new rears as well. Undecided about braided lines, but since I need a brake fluid flush anyway I may add them just because.

[eleven11]

Originally Posted by pauli18c

Everyone still enjoying their Akebono pads?

Yep. Very pleased with the purchase.