Genuine brake discs/pads - worth it?
Discussion
My front pads are showing as required on my 2013 F31 328i @ 44k.
The BMW price is around £360! I have a price of £137 for Brembo pads from a good independent near me. I've asked them for a price with genuine OEM pads as well.
I assume the OEM pads are made from the sweat beads of baby unicorns.
The BMW price is around £360! I have a price of £137 for Brembo pads from a good independent near me. I've asked them for a price with genuine OEM pads as well.
I assume the OEM pads are made from the sweat beads of baby unicorns.
What exactly is OE quality, OE specification or OE equivalent meant to mean to a customer or anyone in general really? There are several grades of parts available, and those factors selling them use these terms, as do the general trade. They're cheaper, so of course they would. There is a strong likelihood the repairer is only using them to make more out of your repair. A stronger likelihood the factor is telling you or the garage parts are OE whatever because they want you to trust that it's as good, it may do the job, but it's hard to claim it's as good. We all just like that stuff is cheaper. Unless there is some absolute certainty that the manufacturer of particular parts also supplies the same to a vehicle manufacturer, surely they all should be considered snake oil as mentioned above. Just cheaper parts, some being better than others, not OE anything at all.
Pagid for example, might supply to BMW. They don't tell you what they supply, but it is possibly a specific brake pad for one specific model or application, which allows them to say they are an OE supplier, and a reputation grows from there. They perhaps don't supply all BMW's brakes as some garages or factors may imply.
Although all TMD friction, Textar are better than Pagid in my experience, less issues from a customer perspective, and lets say Genuine rather than OE, so Genuine BMW parts, may give more assurance. They also carry a two year warranty everywhere, where factor parts carry a warranty only where they're supplied to, if that.
Pagid for example, might supply to BMW. They don't tell you what they supply, but it is possibly a specific brake pad for one specific model or application, which allows them to say they are an OE supplier, and a reputation grows from there. They perhaps don't supply all BMW's brakes as some garages or factors may imply.
Although all TMD friction, Textar are better than Pagid in my experience, less issues from a customer perspective, and lets say Genuine rather than OE, so Genuine BMW parts, may give more assurance. They also carry a two year warranty everywhere, where factor parts carry a warranty only where they're supplied to, if that.
I'd probably go for ATE on both discs and pads, I believe they're an OE supplied to BMW for some models. I know Textar were for the E46 models. However, go premium no matter what. s
t like Eicher will just warp pretty quickly. Also 48k isn't that much for a set of discs unless it's an auto and you live in a hilly town.
t like Eicher will just warp pretty quickly. Also 48k isn't that much for a set of discs unless it's an auto and you live in a hilly town.Went for genuines from an indy, only about £50 cheaper than the stealer but I trust them more with actual mechanical work!
Front discs were down to 22.44mm, with the minimum being 22.4, definitely needed swapping! Both rear pads and discs were fine for probably another 10k+ despite the computer saying 3200 miles.
Front discs were down to 22.44mm, with the minimum being 22.4, definitely needed swapping! Both rear pads and discs were fine for probably another 10k+ despite the computer saying 3200 miles.
helix402 said:
I'd avoid buying discs from the company with three initials. They once put the cheap disc option in the expensive option box and refused to refund or exchange. I can't name them as they advertise on this site and my post will be pulled for naming and shaming.
Red background or are you referring to a disc manufacturer? Feel free to PM me. TBH I've fallen victim to that before as has an Indy that I know quite well. But they are only 5 minutes away from me as opposed to ECP.I've noticed that a few people have said E46 M3 brakes are terrible everywhere. TBH I've not noticed that, but mine is on genuine pads. But they did come with the car. If I don't get them next time I may get something from Pagid instead (as in the RS range).
While not an M car we have two MkIV Ford Mondeo 2.5Ts (detuned ST engines) on the drive. Similar miles, and near enough the same spec. Brakes are the same bar:
-The Green/Blue car is on Genuine Ford discs and pads all round
-The Black car is on Delphi pads and discs all round ; the discs I do know are fresher than the Green car's ; they've done less miles and I changed them two years ago.
Despite that the Green car outbrakes and has more confidence inspiring brakes. I am surprised at just how sharp they are. The pads themselves are larger in terms of having a little more meat on them, and a larger surface area ; the Delphi pads are smaller.
On my Mk3 it was no difference. Irrespectice of brand (Brembo, Bendix, ECP's Pagid) the Ford pads had more meat. The Bendix pads actually did begin to fade/grind around town with heavy use!
Edited by SebringMan on Thursday 16th February 23:50
I don't think OE brake kit is worth it. For many models better quality alternatives are readily available.
For my E46 I can get Brembo discs and pads for a fraction (about 60%) of the price that BMW charge for the OE parts by sourcing at German, Swedish & French. And the Brembos are a massive quality improvement too.
For my E46 I can get Brembo discs and pads for a fraction (about 60%) of the price that BMW charge for the OE parts by sourcing at German, Swedish & French. And the Brembos are a massive quality improvement too.
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