Your brakes are the most important safety system in your BWM, full stop, pun intended. In a panic stop where just half a metre can spell the difference between a close call and collision, a set of superior brake pads can save your life.

Brake pads wear over time, so you don’t need a special reason to replace or upgrade your current ones – they may be simply worn down, or you may want better braking power for peace of mind knowing that no matter how fast you’re going, you can stop at a moment’s notice. Here are some of the main benefits of aftermarket BMW rear and BMW front brake pads.

Benefits of Aftermarket Brake Pads

– Increased Stopping Power
This is an obvious one. The most effective way to stay safe on the road throughout all types of driving conditions is to increase your BMW’s stopping power. Changing worn-out brake pads for a set of high-quality aftermarket brake pads will significantly reduce your braking distance, which can be the difference between colliding with objects on the road during panic stops.

– Consistent Performance
Besides getting more stopping power, a new pair of BMW rear or BMW front brake pads will provide you with reliable braking performance. The symptoms of worn down brake pads are unreliable and inconsistent performance, which can lead to an increased risk of striking objects when you brake hard. The ideal brake pads will resist fade and heat for more reliable braking performance that will keep you safe.

– Longer Lifespan
Replacing your worn, old brake pads with a set of high-quality aftermarket pads will increase the longevity not only of your brake pads but your discs and rotors as well. Fully-metallic, ceramic and semi-metallic brake pads are usually the longest-lasting brake pads. Organic brake pads, while not as long-lasting, don’t wear down your rotors and discs as much as other types of brake pads do.

– Less Brake Dust
Some brake pad materials create more brake dust than others. Usually, ceramic is the brake pad material in this aspect, with organic brake pads being a close second. Semi-metallic brake pads produce the most brake dust, although the exact amount will depend on the unique friction formulation of the manufacturer.

Types of Brake Pads

– Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
Semi-metallic brake pads, as their name implies, are made up of both metal and non-metal materials. Generally, they contain about 30% metal, but high-performance pads can have as much as 60% copper, steel or iron. The remaining percentage is usually mineral or organic filters that serve as binding agents. Semi-metallic brake pads have great heat dissipation, stopping power and durability. On the downside, they’re noisy and produce more dust than ceramic pads.

– Metallic Brake Pads
Metallic brake pads provide even more stable and stronger braking performance than their semi-metallic counterparts. The metals used in its construction make for reliable, potent and smooth stopping power. All of this makes metallic brake pads a great choice for hard track or street use. However, metallic brake pads come with all the downsides of semi-metallic pads, plus they may wear down your rotors and discs much quicker than other types of brake pads.

– Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads are the best in terms of performance, but they’re also the most expensive. Ceramic brake pads are made of dense, thick ceramic material, which provides superior stopping power, low dust buildup, quiet operation, low wear on the rotors and discs, and superior longevity. The main disadvantage is their price tag and their reduced efficacy in cold weather conditions.

Key Features to Consider

– Operating Temperature
When driving on the street, the average temperature of your brake pads and rotors won’t surpass 200 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, track days can increase that number up to almost 500 degrees Celsius. For that reason, it’s important to consider what temperatures the pads will have to endure, and choose pads that are designed to resist fade under that temperature range.

– Ease of Installation
Brake pads are sold as a complete set (both front and rear), or a single set (front OR rear). The number of parts included with the brake pad sets depends on the manufacturer. Some manufacturers include the essentials only (pads and shims), while others decide to throw everything you may need to install the pads. Some people prefer a plug-and-play set of pads, while others don’t mind buying the extra hardware required for the installation.

– Application
Brake pads are designed for specific driving applications. Some brake pads, such as organic ones, are meant for lighter economy cars that are mostly used for light commuting. Others are developed from high-tech fade-resistant materials and provide the high performance required for aggressive track and street use. That being said, it’s important to consider the application and driving style before you choose the ideal type of brake pads that fit your needs.