[TeeeeeeDub]

The dust from the factory pads on my M2C is getting to me. I don’t track the car and just drive some occasional canyon runs. I’ve been eyeing EBC Red Stuff pads front and rear.

Anyone have other suggestions?

[m2zcp]

Multiple threads on the forums regarding this very topic. Limited options on the 2NH for low dust and good street performance. I waited 6-9 months on PSI to release their SP1 pads for the 2NH like they did for the G8x platform, unfortunately didn’t receive much in terms of updates and I got tired of waiting.

I have followed the recommendation of many on the forums - Carbotech 1521’s. Give them a call and they’ll take care of you.

I regret not swapping out OEM pads to the 1521’s on day one of ownership. I have driven about 4000 km and very happy with them. They are exactly what I was looking for. Low dust and capable of mountain drives and back road rips. Keep in mind this is not a track pad, but for your Canyon runs they should be just fine.

[FaRKle!]

EBC Redstuff is available for 2NH too. Between that and CT1521 I'd get whichever's cheapest. Both are great street pads (I have both on various BMWs).
Front: DP32148C
Rear: DP32425C

[TeeeeeeDub]

Thanks for the responses!

[medphysdave]

Another vote for 1521. Can't believe how little they seem to dust.

[Joaco135]

+3 on the 1521s

[TeeeeeeDub]

I ended up purchasing EBC Reds. Will report back once I install and have them for a bit.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by medphysdave

Another vote for 1521. Can't believe how little they seem to dust.

I’ve been using the CT1521 compound (name has changed over 25+ years of using them) as my street compound on all of cars. Lack of brake dust is great! Although CT says their compounds aren’t compatible with other brands. Well, I have yet to run into an incompatible track compound and CT1521 street compound.

[samsamdar]

Just got the 1521s in the mail and should be throwing them on the car soon! For those of you who put these on the 2NH kit, what did y'all do for the rear shims? Is it worth it to transfer the shims over from the stock pads? Do I need to glue them on or will they be alright with just a pressure fit?

[medphysdave]

I didn't. I had meant to do it this last pad swap but forgot. When new I heard them clunk quite a bit. Now I don't. I do ad high temp lube to the pins. Pistons, and sides of brake pads backing plates. Any part that contacts metal. All has been quiet

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by samsamdar

Just got the 1521s in the mail and should be throwing them on the car soon! For those of you who put these on the 2NH kit, what did y'all do for the rear shims? Is it worth it to transfer the shims over from the stock pads? Do I need to glue them on or will they be alright with just a pressure fit?

I'd just pressure fit the shims, I've done that on other BMW calipers. Also, 2NH instructions say not to use any brake grease/paste anywhere.

[ZM2]

Hey guys, how does the 1521 compare to the Porterfield R4S for performance and dust?

I’ve been happy with the R4S as a street pad and aggressive back roads driving, no fade, no noise, but they do have some dust.

And does the 1521 come in AP 9660/9449 sizes? Sorry for slightly off OP topic. Thanks!

[samsamdar]

Originally Posted by ZM2

Hey guys, how does the 1521 compare to the Porterfield R4S for performance and dust?

I’ve been happy with the R4S as a street pad and aggressive back roads driving, no fade, no noise, but they do have some dust.

And does the 1521 come in AP 9660/9449 sizes? Sorry for slightly off OP topic. Thanks!

I tried the R4S a while back and HATED the dust on it tbh. Yes it dusts less than OEM but the dust is way tougher to get off. It ended up staining parts of my Brixton Forged wheels. From what I hear and what I'm hoping, the 1521 will be ideal for the street

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by ZM2

Hey guys, how does the 1521 compare to the Porterfield R4S for performance and dust?

I’ve been happy with the R4S as a street pad and aggressive back roads driving, no fade, no noise, but they do have some dust.

And does the 1521 come in AP 9660/9449 sizes? Sorry for slightly off OP topic. Thanks!

I didn't like the R4S either. I helped a friend install them on his F32 435i M-sport brakes and the pad backing plate was out of spec and needed to be ground down to fit (even without the stock shim). They dusted more than EBC reds and CT1521, and still managed to make some noise. He ended up getting rid of those pads after a year.

[medphysdave]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

I'd just pressure fit the shims, I've done that on other BMW calipers. Also, 2NH instructions say not to use any brake grease/paste anywhere.

Yeah, but at this point I'm far removed from what is suggested with the 2nh ;P

I bet it's to avoid the risk of grease getting on the pad face. It definitely needs to be used sparingly.

[MSH_]

Originally Posted by samsamdar

Just got the 1521s in the mail and should be throwing them on the car soon! For those of you who put these on the 2NH kit, what did y'all do for the rear shims? Is it worth it to transfer the shims over from the stock pads? Do I need to glue them on or will they be alright with just a pressure fit?

I swapped over to the 1521's 2 months ago. I peeled the shims off the OEM pads and just transferred over to the 1521's no glue. Also no grease on any parts.
They definitely dust less than OEMs as everyone has mentioned. I do think I'll move to their XP8s on the fronts when weather warms back up here in CO in Spring. I do a lot of canyon runs with big elevation changes and the 1521s do seem to be to do fairly well but seem to not have quite the bite of the OEM pads when they get hot on the big descents.

[tenaciousd]

I am running the Hawk Performance Ceramic pads and there is practically zero dust. I’m very happy with them.

[samsamdar]

Thanks for the tips everyone! It’s actually super quick and easy to swap the shims over. All you need is a box knife, flathead, and a heat gun

[samsamdar]

Originally Posted by tenaciousd

I am running the Hawk Performance Ceramic pads and there is practically zero dust. I’m very happy with them.

How's the wear, noise, and pedal feel with them compared to OEM? Do they have the cutouts for the sensors? And do they come with shims? I was definitely interested in those (based on how cheap they were compared to the 1521s) but I skipped them solely because I hadn't heard any reviews on them with the 2NH setup.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Also, 2NH instructions say not to use any brake grease/paste anywhere.

Agreed, but there are cases where people have had noise, taken their car to the dealer, and the dealer is authorized to add a BMW graphite-based sticky paste to the back. This goes all the way back to the blue brakes.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

I didn't like the R4S either. I helped a friend install them on his F32 435i M-sport brakes and the pad backing plate was out of spec and needed to be ground down to fit (even without the stock shim). They dusted more than EBC reds and CT1521, and still managed to make some noise. He ended up getting rid of those pads after a year.

I’ve had good street performance with R4S on my e46 M3 with AP Racing brake kits but so-so performance on other cars. For a street pad, it requires a decent amount of heat before they start to bite.

Cobalt XR5 is a solid option for a street performance compound and their XR1 and XR2 track compounds perform well on track. If I can’t find the PFC compounds I’m looking for, Cobalt is my #1 backup with their XR1 and XR2 compounds, and then the CT XP20 is my #2 backup. Not a fan of any Pagid and Hawk compounds. Hawk DTC70 or DTC60 are ok and are my #3 backup if I need something quickly (quicker than custom manufactured Cobalt or CT compounds). They have really high mu vs. temp curves but provide practically zero bite below 300-400 F and, I find them, harder to modulate.

[ZM2]

How would you all rank the EBC Red, CT1521, R4S, and XR5 for hard backroads driving? I prefer to not give up much/any performance of the R4S, but would be great to have less dust for the street.

I’m sticking with PFC for the track, but will keep Cobalt in mind as a backup as I also do not like Pagid or Hawk.