Akebono brakes X5 35d

temporaptor · 10-25-2015, 12:54 AM

I was in need of new front brakes for my 12 X5 35d, they lasted 30,000 miles according to the service records from the dealer when I bought the SAV. I was sick of my "gunmetal" front wheels after a couple days of driving after washing it. I've heard nothing but good things about the akebono brakes. I got a killer deal on Akebono EUR1294 on Amazon for $62.31 https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0091...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And went with some brembo rotors from autohasAZ for $89.96 each http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/34116793244
And bowa brake pad sensor for $15.58 http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/34356792567

Tools needed were:
Jack and stands
17mm socket for lug bolts
7mm hex for caliper slide pins
E18 for caliper bracket mounting bolts
C clamp to reset caliper piston
6mm for rotor bolts
Brake cleaner
Brake quite goop
Rags

This video was really helpful too

socale39 · 10-25-2015, 09:34 AM

So what are your impressions of the pads compared to stock OEM pads?

temporaptor · 10-25-2015, 02:34 PM

Too soon to tell, I only have about 10 miles on them at this point. They take about 500 miles to be broken in, feels weird not to have to bed-in your brakes after changing them. I usually run Hawk HPS on all my other cars I've had, and they have a pretty aggressive bed-in process. I will definitely update once I have some miles on them.
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/....jsp?techid=85

DCC · 10-26-2015, 10:53 PM

OP, great write up!

socale39, I have Akebono pads on my '13 X5 for 25K miles now and they are great. Low dust and very quiet.

F06msportmia · 10-27-2015, 08:56 PM

I used the same video 2 weeks ago when I swapped out rotors and pads.
I went with red stuff pads and they are great!

temporaptor · 10-27-2015, 09:39 PM

Nice what brand rotors are those? How do the Reds and rotors feel compared to the factory set up? How's the brake dust? Also how many miles have you put on them? Also links to the products so we can also compare cost.

temporaptor · 03-14-2016, 03:58 AM

2,000 mile update:
So far I'm really liking these brakes! The amount of dust they put off is WAY LESS the the OE brakes. Braking performance is excellent. The OE brakes had too much initial grab for my liking. These brakes are the perfect combo not too much grab but not too little that you have to mash the pedal.
After 2 weeks with some heavy braking to test the brakes:
Front Akebono

Back OE BMW brakes:

10-25-2015, 12:54 AM	#1
temporaptor Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 266 Posts Drives: 11 335D MSport / 12 X5 35d Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Akebono brakes X5 35d I was in need of new front brakes for my 12 X5 35d, they lasted 30,000 miles according to the service records from the dealer when I bought the SAV. I was sick of my "gunmetal" front wheels after a couple days of driving after washing it. I've heard nothing but good things about the akebono brakes. I got a killer deal on Akebono EUR1294 on Amazon for $62.31 https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0091...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 And went with some brembo rotors from autohasAZ for $89.96 each http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/34116793244 And bowa brake pad sensor for $15.58 http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/34356792567 Tools needed were: Jack and stands 17mm socket for lug bolts 7mm hex for caliper slide pins E18 for caliper bracket mounting bolts C clamp to reset caliper piston 6mm for rotor bolts Brake cleaner Brake quite goop Rags This video was really helpful too
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10-25-2015, 09:34 AM	#2
socale39 Major 209 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: 04 545i SMG Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: California iTrader: (0)	So what are your impressions of the pads compared to stock OEM pads?
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10-25-2015, 02:34 PM	#3
temporaptor Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 266 Posts Drives: 11 335D MSport / 12 X5 35d Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Too soon to tell, I only have about 10 miles on them at this point. They take about 500 miles to be broken in, feels weird not to have to bed-in your brakes after changing them. I usually run Hawk HPS on all my other cars I've had, and they have a pretty aggressive bed-in process. I will definitely update once I have some miles on them. http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/....jsp?techid=85 Last edited by temporaptor; 10-25-2015 at 02:44 PM..
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10-26-2015, 10:53 PM	#4
DCC Major 312 Rep 1,041 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	OP, great write up! socale39, I have Akebono pads on my '13 X5 for 25K miles now and they are great. Low dust and very quiet. __________________ 2024 M2, 2024 CGT4RS, 2020 M2 CS, 2021 Macan GTS, 2017 Cayenne S, 2002 M Coupe
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10-27-2015, 08:56 PM	#5
F06msportmia Major 234 Rep 1,491 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Miami iTrader: (8)	I used the same video 2 weeks ago when I swapped out rotors and pads. I went with red stuff pads and they are great! Attached Images
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10-27-2015, 09:39 PM	#6
temporaptor Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 266 Posts Drives: 11 335D MSport / 12 X5 35d Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Nice what brand rotors are those? How do the Reds and rotors feel compared to the factory set up? How's the brake dust? Also how many miles have you put on them? Also links to the products so we can also compare cost.
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03-14-2016, 03:58 AM	#7
temporaptor Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 266 Posts Drives: 11 335D MSport / 12 X5 35d Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	2,000 mile update: So far I'm really liking these brakes! The amount of dust they put off is WAY LESS the the OE brakes. Braking performance is excellent. The OE brakes had too much initial grab for my liking. These brakes are the perfect combo not too much grab but not too little that you have to mash the pedal. After 2 weeks with some heavy braking to test the brakes: Front Akebono Back OE BMW brakes:
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