Brake pads OEM BMW or Duralast
$930 at a local BMW expert shop. That's front and rear, pads and rotors.
My dealer charges about $1100 for rear brakes and rotors, and about $1200 for front brakes and rotors, so $2300ish total. I got all pads and rotors done at a local shop for about $1100, and transmission fluid (+ pan and filter) done for $750 at the same shop.
A common brake upgrade to the E34 5 series was to install E38 (7 series) brakes. Only downside is you also have to install larger wheels.
My understanding is the OEM brakes have well-rounded performance. In spider chart terms, it would look like a round pizza with one slice taken off, and that would be due to dust. They still excel with high performance, solid longevity all at a reasonable cost
I’ve always run Dynamic Friction or Centric myself. I have no complaints from either brand, both preform well, quiet, seem to last (which will obviously vary by how much you’re driving/stopping), and they get the job done.
I had warp issues with my 2010 Sport MT until I bought these pads and rotors from AutoZone: Duralast Elite pads DE1394 and Duralast Gold rotor 3295DG. This was two years ago and parts were $160 and labor was $80/hour (cheap around here...Philly) for a total around $300.
I'm only now replacing the pads & rotors *for the first time* during my ownership. The rotors won't pass inspection, but I'm shocked to find that the pads still have 7/32"-8/32" left. As it turns out, I've been running Duralast Gold rotors & Duralast Elite pads the entire time.
That's a phenomenal track record for the amount of "spirited" road I put past this car.
K12GT checking in. It’s the smoothest bike I’ve ever ridden. I wish the brakes weren’t made of wood but, I’m used to “quirks” of BMW’s now, after 200K on 1150 (RT & GS-A)
My local Bavarian car specialist refuses to install ceramic pads and will only do OEM due to low performance in the cold and increased wear on rotors. I was looking forward to less brake dust, especially on the front, but I live on top of one of the steepest hills in the city. I now have OEM pads.
I won't even use duralast brakes on my daily driver, let alone a 3400 pound 200 mph missile..
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