2014 BMW X3 Brake/Rotor Recommendation

[Andyd95]

The aftermarket "european brands" tend to use the traditional low-metallic pad formulas. BMW has started to move away from this type of formula in some models so the pagid/textar/etc pads being discussed may not be a close match to the original pad.

The new OE pads seem to be way easier on the rotors. ATE aftermarket has had some ceramic listings lately that seem to be closer than the Textar type to OE.

 

[Carmudgeon]

I ran ATE on BMW for 40,000 mls, including some 4-5000 on track with racing pads. Those were made in China. No issues whatsoever. I changed them bcs. I was upgrading to Brembo calipers, not bcs. they were worn out.
So, maybe application? Have them now on Tiguan, no issues. Had them on Atlas as replacement for junky VW rotors (Brembo made) and they solved vibration issues that Atlas rotors are known for.

As I said, a while back, even before Asia became the dominant source.

The set of Brembos had a casting flaw right in the friction surface. Don't know how that slipped past QC.

The ATEs caused on inexplicable shudder, despite attempts to properly bed them in. Advice in the BMW circles at the time was that some needed a light skim right out of the box.

Somewhat disappointing results from two well-respected names in foundation brakes.

Replacement rotors are commodities to a degree, so maybe they just don't get the same level of product TLC.

By contrast, the machine finishing on the Balos was beautiful, and they came wrapped in wax paper for corrosion resistance (before coatings became common).

The Zimmermans were similarly high quality.

Not a balance clip weight in sight on either of them.

 

[John105]

You have a German car, so you can distinguish between OE, OEM, and aftermarket. I've pointed it out before, this forum tends to use the term OEM when they mean original equipment, which is in the auto industry, OE. Since the vehicle is not brand new, imho OE and OEM will be fine. I'd skip aftermarket. Being a BMW owner myself, my expectation is not the same as a Toyota or Lexus, where I would not want to hear a peep out of the brakes.

Assuming you have the 2.8

Genuine is $155/$130

Zimmerman is going to be $107/$92 and they are coated as well. I'd go Zimmerman and save the money. But I wouldn't go aftermarket to save even more. The original rotors are coated, and the metallic brake pads wear away this coating when they sweep, leaving the rest of the coating intact. I last did my rotors in 2016, they have zero rust on them.

GM OE rotors also have a coating on them as they are baked with nitrogen. Similar in appearance, they begin rusting in a year or two. Did it matter, does it now? Stephen would answer if he only knew how.

Good luck.

 

[Kestas]

I've had a bad experience with Pagid brakes. They had an embarrasing loud squeal when stopping. A search on the internet revealed it was a problem across the board with other makes as well.

 

[John105]

I've had a bad experience with Pagid brakes. They had an embarrasing loud squeal when stopping. A search on the internet revealed it was a problem across the board with other makes as well.

I'm the original owner of a 2007 335i. When the car reached 19k, the rears squealed. It was at the dealership for a courtesy adjustment on it 3X. The vehicle had free maintenance and a bumper to bumper 4/50, and squeals are not covered. Seriously.

I knew they did the work because there was yellow material on the backs of all 8 pads on 4 wheels. This did nothing.

I changed the brakes myself (all 4), and of course, no squeal. Wouldn't you know, in about 15k, the rears squealed again. This is OE pads and OE rotors.

Would I go to say a ceramic Akebono ProAct like with all our other cars, to quiet it? No, because the was designed to use semi metallic. Noise and dusting come along for the ride. jmoymmv