The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[John in VA]

FCP has a Meyle/Akebono kit. Has anyone heard anything about Meyle rotors?

With all of the rotor choices available & the continued decrease in Meyle parts quality I would choose something else.

[704sw]

The Centric made by StopTech are a good rotor for the money, imo.

[holyc0w]

The Centric made by StopTech are a good rotor for the money, imo.

Link?

I'm seeing not so positive experiences with the akebono ceramic pads, so that might be off the table too.

[fredo]

I had akebono ceramic pads on my e90 and was very happy with them. My main goal was to reduce or eliminate the brake dust, which they do. I don't track the car and my driving style is non-aggressive, BTW.

[az3579]

While I can't speak to Akebono, I can say that I do not recommend Hawk "Performance" Ceramic brake pads. I've had two sets in the time I've owned my car (once voluntary, the second time involuntarily) and for both of those time periods, I've had the same issue. The pads don't have very good bite/feel to them, and occasionally when it's raining out and you've been driving on the highway for a while without touching the brakes, there can be a very unnerving vague feeling after pushing the pedal down, giving you that "oh shit, I have no brakes" feeling until they dry off. It only takes one application of the brakes to dry them, but it also only takes one application of the brakes to realize you don't have the braking you expected and rear-end someone.

Otherwise, they're fine when it's dry, but the lack of overall feel is a bit disappointing.

[holyc0w]

That seems to be similar to some of the comments on the Akebono ceramics.

[YoitsTmac]

The matte maintenance is definitely something I worry about, and I’m also going to be painting my mirrors to gloss(bc for some reason they weren’t even painted TiAg). I just feel like the gloss would match the shine of the paint, and would look gorgeous when it’s all cleaned up

Do you have a DIY for this? To avoid intense orange peel?

[ZHPizza]

While I can't speak to Akebono, I can say that I do not recommend Hawk "Performance" Ceramic brake pads. I've had two sets in the time I've owned my car (once voluntary, the second time involuntarily) and for both of those time periods, I've had the same issue. The pads don't have very good bite/feel to them, and occasionally when it's raining out and you've been driving on the highway for a while without touching the brakes, there can be a very unnerving vague feeling after pushing the pedal down, giving you that "oh shit, I have no brakes" feeling until they dry off. It only takes one application of the brakes to dry them, but it also only takes one application of the brakes to realize you don't have the braking you expected and rear-end someone.

Otherwise, they're fine when it's dry, but the lack of overall feel is a bit disappointing.

My exact experience with my current brake pads, which I believe are Akebono.

[YoitsTmac]

I had no experience in the rain, but I had akebonos and they had fade really easy. My driving habit is aggressive but it was low speed canyon driving. I was disappointed, it wasn't worth it for the lack of brake dust.

[papa_g]

if akebonos fade easily, would running drilled rotors help to reduce the fade?