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BMW M5 (E28)  (1988)

 

 

High-Performance Brake Pads

If you want better brake pads for the street, consider Axxis.  Axxis pads are manufactured by Bendix Mintex (FMP Group Pty. Ltd.) in Australia.  Formerly marketed under the brand names PBR and Repco, they are now sold in the United States under the Axxis name.

Axxis Brake pad performance comparison charts

Instructions for bedding in new brake pads

To order, click here: and then locate your vehicle along the left side of the on-line store page.  Or, feel free to call us at (800)222-8893 for help selecting the proper parts.

Axxis Deluxe Advanced street pads (formerly called Deluxe Plus) are ideal if you are looking for a low dust pad that is quiet and rotor friendly, yet has enough fade resistance for performance cars.  These ceramic-enhanced organic pads work well up to 716 °F, similar to OEM pads.  Stop washing brake dust off your wheels every few days!  These are by far our most popular street pads.

F-$29

R-$35

63-213-0163

63-213-0279

Axxis ULT street pads pads (formerly called Axxis Ultimate) use a Kevlar® and ceramic formula for enhanced performance.  They produce maximum friction when cold, yet have tremendous fade resistance up to 932 °F. The coefficient of friction is high enough to produce a noticeable reduction in pedal effort. Fine for autocross or your first track event, assuming street tires and a low horsepower car.  This is Zeckhausen Racing's favorite high performance street pad.

F-$58

R-$54

63-223-0163

63-223-0279

Hawk HPS high performance street pads have low dust, low noise, and low rotor wear.  Slightly higher in friction level than Hawk Ceramic pads with a similar MOT of around 750°F.  Not recommended for track use, as their friction level falls off rapidly when the MOT is exceeded.

F-$72

R-$81

63-410-0163

63-410-0279

Hawk HP PLUS high performance street pads have moderate dust, moderate rotor wear, very high initial bite and similar MOT to Hawk HPS of around 750°F.  They tend to be noisy, sometimes squealing under light braking, although proper bedding can help.  Ideal for autocross.  Not recommended for track use, as their friction level falls off rapidly when MOT is exceeded, just like the Hawk HPS.

F-$93

R-$106

63-420-0163

63-420-0279

 

Replacement Brake Pad Wear Sensors

BMW uses brake pad wear sensors to monitor the condition of your brake pads.  Although your BMW has eight brake pads, only two of them are monitored for wear - the driver's side front inboard pad and the passenger's side rear inboard pad.  Thus, you should only order one front and one rear sensor.  When a monitored pad has worn down below 2mm of remaining friction material, the rotor chews through a small plastic bump on the sensor and slices a wire in half.  This causes an open circuit, triggering a warning on your dash, either an idiot light or a "CHECK BRAKE LININGS" text message.  Once a warning has appeared, the sensor has been destroyed and must be replaced.

Each Centric brand replacement sensor comes with a short wire harness that clips into your BMW's main wiring harness.  The other end (shown below in the enlarged gray box) clips into a slot at the top of your new brake pad, with the small plastic bump facing TOWARD the rotor.

E46 M3 sensor shown - your BMW model's sensor may have a different appearance

After replacing your pads and wear sensors, the dash warning will still be illuminated.  However, you do not need to go to your BMW dealer to have the warning message reset.  To reset the brake warning, turn the ignition key to the run position, but do not start the car.  After about one minute, the brake pad warning will reset.

To order, click here: and then locate your vehicle along the left side of the on-line store page.  Or, feel free to call us at (800)222-8893 for help selecting the proper parts.

Brake pad wear sensor

F-$6

R-$6

64-116-34002

64-116-34001

 

Performance, All-Season, and Winter Tires

Besides brakes, tires are the most important component in determining stopping distance.  It's literally where the rubber meets the road.  Selecting the right tire for your driving conditions can make a tremendous difference.  For example, if you live in Florida or southern California and are driving on all-season tires, you are leaving huge performance gains on the table!  A good set of summer-only performance tires can literally transform the handling and braking capabilities of your car.  In fact, if your goal is to minimize stopping distance, you're better off going to Tire Rack's web site and buying tires first, before spending any money here on better brakes!

For the best selection and prices, use the Tire Decision Guide by Tire Rack.  Select the appropriate model year, then click the Go button.  You'll be asked a couple of questions which will help narrow down your tire choices to the select few which most closely match your driving needs.  From Maximum Performance tires to All Season tires to Snow Tires, Tire Rack has it all.  The Tire Decision Guide takes the guesswork out of buying tires for your car.

The Tire Decision Guide

The Tire Rack- Driven by Performance
 

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To order by phone or for technical assistance:

Call (800)222-8893 and press "1" for Sales

International customers may call: 973-761-5054

Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 10AM - 5PM  (Eastern Time)

We are located in Fairfield, New Jersey

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Copyright © 2008 Zeckhausen Racing, LLC
Last modified: 09/29/08