New Brake Pads - ATE vs. Bilstein

jeff_denning

Active member
Hey guys,

So, it's time to get some new pads for the M5.
Did the same on my old 525i and went Bilstein, no issues there. Just not sure which is the better to go with for the M5.

Got two quotes this morning:

Masterparts
Bilstein pads
R349

SMG Canal Walk
ATE
R1726

Not really willing to swap out cheap pads that won't stop the car, but the price difference here is huge. So what's the down low on the better pads?
 

Legacy

///Member
ATE all the way, those are not Bilstein pads but Febi-Bilstein which are rubbish. Never compromise on your ///M, especially on brakes.
 

P1000

///Member
I'm sure you can get those ATE pads from a shop like midas for half the price or less...
 

Sankekur

///Member
ATE FTW, I have those febi-bilstein pads on my car and I am not impressed, though I am not saying febi-biltein is bad, just that their pads leave me wanting.
 

calypso

///Member
netercol said:
ate's are best for bmw oem disc composition.. this was straight from a dealer workshop manager..

What do they mean by that? In terms of wear?
I run OEM floating discs but with Ferodo DS2500, and they have much more bite then OEM pads, especially when things start getting hot.
 

jeff_denning

Active member
Thanks for all the replies guys, always appreciated :praise:

ATE it is, managed to get a much better price from my contact by SMG :=): Ordered, picking up a little later today - fitting tomorrow.
Is there a DIY guide for this already? I know it's fairly simple, but I'll take some pics if you guys want.
 

Fordkoppie

///Member
For some reason ATE pads always squeel on an e30.
Nomal Ferodo ceramic works perfect with those oldies and i have never experienced fade. Dust is terrible though
 

netercol

New member
calypso said:
netercol said:
ate's are best for bmw oem disc composition.. this was straight from a dealer workshop manager..

What do they mean by that? In terms of wear?
I run OEM floating discs but with Ferodo DS2500, and they have much more bite then OEM pads, especially when things start getting hot.

well according to this guy, (gus, he was the workshop manager at melyn bmw, now running an independant workshop) ,
the OEM castings are softer than most, together with soft pads
(oem bmw pads are very close to ate's, in some cases made by ate)
they are more squeal resistant and have a better friction coefficiant..
his words, not mine

have to add, from my own experience, i ran ferodo ceramics on my first 320d, and i had to replace discs when i replaced pads..
 

Sankekur

///Member
jeff said:
Thanks for all the replies guys, always appreciated :praise:

ATE it is, managed to get a much better price from my contact by SMG :=): Ordered, picking up a little later today - fitting tomorrow.
Is there a DIY guide for this already? I know it's fairly simple, but I'll take some pics if you guys want.

Spy007 posted one up a while back if I am not mistaken, but another write-up is always appreciated.
 
Top