New Brake Pad Advice: EBC Green/Red stuff?

[Montenay]

Hi guys, first time I need to replace my front brake pads on my 650GC and I’m looking for an improvement on the stock OEM pads: less dust and better braking is what I’m after. If they’re cheaper than the OEM too then that’s a plus!

I was looking at the EBC Greenstuff and Redstuff pads - I’ll never go on a track day, I’m no street racer either, but I do like to throw it down a few country lanes every now and then so maybe greens would be best for me?

I was wondering if the redstuff would be too sporty for me, or if something completely different would be better. Any advice or recommendations much appreciated!

Cheers,
Matt

[rasa bmw]

ive had red stuff and yellow stuff,yellow are much better if you like a prolonged hard drive with plenty braking,red stuff are laos good with way less dust,but maybe not as good at prolonged braking periods.my yellows lasted like 30k miles on e90 330d with over 300 bhp and some quite spirited driving,zimmerman discs were the chosen discs which are great,still do not need to replace the pads on my 640d yet,ptherwise id go for yellows or reds with ate or zimmerman

[DaveS86]

I've got red stuff and really like them on Brembo rotors. As noted above there is so little dust that the wheels stay clean so much longer compared with oem pads, which is what I wanted.

[Montenay]

Cheers both; good tips!

@DaveS86 - which Brembo discs did you go for? Can you get drilled discs?

[DaveS86]

Erm I'm not sure which ones I went for, they were just straight discs, not drilled, slotted or grooved. They weren't cheap by any means, but a year later and there is no visible corrosion whatsoever. I'm in the UK and got all 4 from eurocarparts...not sure if they do drilled discs

[TGrits10]

Originally Posted by rasa bmw

ive had red stuff and yellow stuff,yellow are much better if you like a prolonged hard drive with plenty braking,red stuff are laos good with way less dust,but maybe not as good at prolonged braking periods.

IMO Reds are the ideal for spirited street use, Greens are too aggressive and bitey (and can overheat quickly), yellows require a skosh of warmup so the feel is off when not hustling, Reds have consistent bite and don't overheat unless you're really working it. Added bonus of low dust.

[rasa bmw]

Originally Posted by DaveS86

Erm I'm not sure which ones I went for, they were just straight discs, not drilled, slotted or grooved. They weren't cheap by any means, but a year later and there is no visible corrosion whatsoever. I'm in the UK and got all 4 from eurocarparts...not sure if they do drilled discs

drilled/dimpled/slotted are just for show,,did you get 2 piece discs,,as these are heavy cars and heat can build up quick on a one piece disc

[ex46fanatic]

Come on lads we driving 6 series here - 150ish quid for genuine bmw front pads. about 350ish for discs

Buy cheap buy twice. Learnt that with the e46 along time ago.

[rasa bmw]

Originally Posted by ex46fanatic

Come on lads we driving 6 series here - 150ish quid for genuine bmw front pads. about 350ish for discs

Buy cheap buy twice. Learnt that with the e46 along time ago.

ebc are not cheap,and zimmerman are class discs,looked like shiny cd's when i took mine off for replacement,the yellow pads had worn evenly also,,do some homework,,bmw oem are shite if you like a spirited drive,dics maybe fine with decent pads like ebc

[DaveS86]

I don't get the cheap thing? As above brembo and EBC far more expensive. Don't be cheap and buy those BMW parts...

[ex46fanatic]

my bad - didnt know theyre better. Not a spirited driver anymore

[imi7]

Just to add to this thread for advice please - my 640d is on 38k miles and front pads are due this week. Been looking at EBC redstuff for the low brake dust factor. Spoke to one of their resellers and was advised to stick with OEM brakes as I only drive the car occasionally on weekends for longer journeys, and wouldn't say it's spirited driving either.

My local garage prefers Pagid or Brembo.

So based on the above which brake pads would you recommend? Also do the EBC redstuff pads squeal initially?

Cheers.

[DaveS86]

I'd ignore that advice, the red stuff are simply fantastic. Squeal generally comes from poor installation, not lubing up what needs to be done.

Are you using on brand new rotors or old ones?

I can't say good enough things about red stuff, they are so distress I clean my wheels about 1/8th as often as I used to!

[imi7]

Originally Posted by DaveS86

I'd ignore that advice, the red stuff are simply fantastic. Squeal generally comes from poor installation, not lubing up what needs to be done.

Are you using on brand new rotors or old ones?

I can't say good enough things about red stuff, they are so distress I clean my wheels about 1/8th as often as I used to!

Thanks - they will be on old original rotors.

[DaveS86]

Yeah so as with new pads on old rotors there is going to be a bed in period whilst the miniscule grooves in the discs mate with the pads. Let us know how they feel when bedded in, I bet you are happy!

[imi7]

Originally Posted by DaveS86

Yeah so as with new pads on old rotors there is going to be a bed in period whilst the miniscule grooves in the discs mate with the pads. Let us know how they feel when bedded in, I bet you are happy!

Will do - just put the order in for the Redstuffs .

Will I need to do anything specific to bed them in?

[DaveS86]

No, you can just drive normally and they'll bite together nicely.

[imi7]

Originally Posted by DaveS86

No, you can just drive normally and they'll bite together nicely.

Cheers

[imi7]

Just been told by the mechanic the disks need replacing - any recommendations? Do I go for BMW standards or any other discs recommended to go alongside the EBC pads?
Thanks.

[imi7]

OK - so after doing my research and reading around I am edging towards getting Zimmermann OEM discs. However, there seem to be 2 different types - could someone please advise on the difference between the Internally Vented disc https://www.euspares.co.uk/parts/zimmermann/1738807 and the more expensive ones https://www.euspares.co.uk/parts/zimmermann/9009518.

What is the significance of a 2 piece brake disc, apart from the price?

Cheers.

[arucano]

The two piece rotor can tolerate higher break temperatures without damage. The disk can expand without stressing the hub section. For daily driving it is not likely to make a difference though. The M cars use the two piece disks.

[gjohnsen]

Originally Posted by imi7

OK - so after doing my research and reading around I am edging towards getting Zimmermann OEM discs. However, there seem to be 2 different types - could someone please advise on the difference between the Internally Vented disc https://www.euspares.co.uk/parts/zimmermann/1738807 and the more expensive ones https://www.euspares.co.uk/parts/zimmermann/9009518.

What is the significance of a 2 piece brake disc, apart from the price?

Cheers.

I have Zimmermann 2 piece discs. No problems like glazing or rust and they are showing no signs of wear after almost 60k km. Original BMW discs are also 2 piece BTW..