[WOT Bimmer]

I thought I would share some details since I struggled getting answers to some of my questions when I was searching.

My car is a 2018 OG M2 DCT with the stock brakes. The car has 22k miles, so the OE rotors are in good shape.

I was tired of the dust and didn't care about losing that initial bite that the OEM pads provide. I ended up going with Akebono for a couple of unscientific reasons: cost effective (purchased from FCP Euro for $280), prior good experience with Akebono on previous cars, and low dust. I do not track the car, so these seemed like a good fit for a street car.

The installation was extremely easy and took 15 mins per wheel. I did replace the brake pad wear sensors since I was already there - I would recommend doing this.

Drivability: I noticed an immediate difference without the immediate bite from the OEM pads. However, there is overall more brake power but it is linear - the harder you press the pedal, the faster you stop. No initial bite/jerk when you tap the brake. So far I have not had any issues with squeaking or the occasional bang/click/tap you hear when driving in reverse when the pads shift within the caliper.

Dust is significantly less, and I'm sure will continue to decrease with usage.

Here is a link to the front set: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...kebono-eur1880

Rear: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...kebono-eur1656

Anything from FCP Euro comes with a lifetime warranty, even replaceable items like brake pads.

Let me know if there are any questions!

(Dirty pic is obviously the old pad)

[mike@x-ph.com]

Thank you for the review

[WedgeSalad]

TY for review

Unrelated: what diffuser is that? it looks great

[WOT Bimmer]

Originally Posted by WedgeSalad

TY for review

Unrelated: what diffuser is that? it looks great

Thanks! It's an Autotecknic from IND.

[D22M2]

Getting some

[jkoral]

Originally Posted by WOT Bimmer

...didn't care about losing that initial bite that the OEM pads provide... No initial bite/jerk when you tap the brake.

Curious about the impact on daily driving. I assume it takes some getting used to, change of habit? Or is less noticeable? I've run non-OEM pads on previous BMWs, but I do like that cold bite the OEM pads provide.

Good review.

[///MPhatic]

One of the very best street-car mods you can do in my opinion. Not only do they dust significantly less, but your rotors should last at least twice as long.

[WOT Bimmer]

Originally Posted by jkoral

Curious about the impact on daily driving. I assume it takes some getting used to, change of habit? Or is less noticeable? I've run non-OEM pads on previous BMWs, but I do like that cold bite the OEM pads provide.

Good review.

Honestly, it took me about five minutes to adapt. While that bite is nice, having a more linear peddle is so much more intuitive in my opinion.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by WOT Bimmer

Honestly, it took me about five minutes to adapt. While that bite is nice, having a more linear peddle is so much more intuitive in my opinion.

This is exactly my experience. I didn't like the stock progressive pad, creating more and more braking force without me adding more pedal. If I want more braking, I'll brake harder, which is what you get with a linear pad. So for me the linear Akebono pads were a welcome change, even without less dust, and less rotor destruction. I also get no noise at all.

[DabBm]

Originally Posted by WOT Bimmer

I thought I would share some details since I struggled getting answers to some of my questions when I was searching.

My car is a 2018 OG M2 DCT with the stock brakes. The car has 22k miles, so the OE rotors are in good shape.

I was tired of the dust and didn't care about losing that initial bite that the OEM pads provide. I ended up going with Akebono for a couple of unscientific reasons: cost effective (purchased from FCP Euro for $280), prior good experience with Akebono on previous cars, and low dust. I do not track the car, so these seemed like a good fit for a street car.

The installation was extremely easy and took 15 mins per wheel. I did replace the brake pad wear sensors since I was already there - I would recommend doing this.

Drivability: I noticed an immediate difference without the immediate bite from the OEM pads. However, there is overall more brake power but it is linear - the harder you press the pedal, the faster you stop. No initial bite/jerk when you tap the brake. So far I have not had any issues with squeaking or the occasional bang/click/tap you hear when driving in reverse when the pads shift within the caliper.

Dust is significantly less, and I'm sure will continue to decrease with usage.

Here is a link to the front set: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...kebono-eur1880

Rear: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...kebono-eur1656

Anything from FCP Euro comes with a lifetime warranty, even replaceable items like brake pads.

Let me know if there are any questions!

(Dirty pic is obviously the old pad)

Nice review.. thanks for heads up

[zkeeper]

Well done review as above mentioned. Made this switch one year ago this month and have not looked back. Was simply, irrevocably and irritatingly finished with excessive brake dust and maintenance...and I maintain things. The braking is also spot on.

[jkoral]

Bumping this thread for the kudos, I finally got around to installing my Akebono pads that had been sitting on a shelf and I'm not sure why I waited so long.

Any difference with cold bite is so very minor, it's almost imperceptible and it's remarkable how clean the wheels still look after 4+ hours driving with both hard braking and stop and go traffic during 2 days of my Boston-area commute.

[jefe2000]

Swapping out the OEM brake pads for the Akebono's is definitely something I'd like to try on my M2. Good riddance brake dust!

I've just recently watched one of the recent Engineering Explained videos about how the brake pad friction material is attached to the backing plate — either mechanical attachment or adhesive:

Anyone know how the Akebono friction material is attached? Anyone willing to sacrifice a nearly-worn-out Akebono pad to find out?

[Boiler340]

Does anyone have a link to the wear sensors? The options on FCP Euro don’t say they’ll fit.

[3t3p]

Are these ceramic pads to achieve low dusting?

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by 3t3p

Are these ceramic pads to achieve low dusting?

Low dust, no noise, and they preserve your rotors. For a street car that means that you won't need rotors until 80K+ miles. Personally, I prefer the dust color as well, it's not black, it's light grey, and if you're a freak about your wheels like I am, just a quick blow from the leaf blower after every drive makes them *appear* to be clean for quite a while. I also hate progressive pads with a passion, and found the Akebono's to be fantastically linear.

[gphung]

FCP description says no break-in (I assume similar to bedding) required. Have you guys found that to be true as well? Really getting tired of both the bite and dust of the OEM pads.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by gphung

FCP description says no break-in (I assume similar to bedding) required. Have you guys found that to be true as well? Really getting tired of both the bite and dust of the OEM pads.

Street ceramic pads bed themselves in, nothing else required other than 300 easy street miles.