[ravipersaud]

Hi all! I am looking to order EBC Red Stuff brake pads for my 2018 540i with M Sport package. I recently had some bad luck with Zimmerman pads that seem to squeal for dear life everytime I drive and I am now fed up.

I heard great things about EBC red stuff however I am confused on which part # is correctly fitted for the 540i with M SPORT brakes (i.e. the blue painted M calipers). Some people on the forum have said DP32304C but on most websites these are categorized as 7 series brakes? I am quite confused.

Thanks in advance for the assistance!

[TEF]

The whole BMW brake thing can be confusing, so I hope this helps. For economies of scale, BMW shares parts throughout its various lines. The G30 (5 series) and G11 (7 series) use the same brake parts. That is likely the reason why brakes parts for 5 and 7 series are sometimes conflated. Specifically, the 540i with blue calipers and base 740i without blue calipers use the same pads, rotors (348 diameter x 36 mm thickness) and calipers. The latter, however, varies slightly because those on the 540i are painted blue while those for the base 740i are bare aluminum. In short, look for description: "540i with blue calipers" when buying pads. Same pads are also described as 740i with "standard brakes" or "without painted calipers".

Typically, a semi-metallic pad generates more noise and dust than one with ceramic friction material. Not sure what EBC uses in Red Stuff pads, but that info usually appears in description. Ceramic pads are also easier on rotors, the expensive part of a brake system.

[ravipersaud]

Originally Posted by TEF

The whole BMW brake thing can be confusing, so I hope this helps. For economies of scale, BMW shares parts throughout its various lines. The G30 (5 series) and G11 (7 series) use the same brake parts. That is likely the reason why brakes parts for 5 and 7 series are sometimes conflated. Specifically, the 540i with blue calipers and base 740i without blue calipers use the same pads, rotors (348 diameter x 36 mm thickness) and calipers. The latter, however, varies slightly because those on the 540i are painted blue while those for the base 740i are bare aluminum. In short, look for description: "540i with blue calipers" when buying pads. Same pads are also described as 740i with "standard brakes" or "without painted calipers".

Typically, a semi-metallic pad generates more noise and dust than one with ceramic friction material. Not sure what EBC uses in Red Stuff pads, but that info usually appears in description. Ceramic pads are also easier on rotors, the expensive part of a brake system.

Thank you for the quick response - very helpful!

It looks like EBC uses ceramic for their red stuff pads which they claim results in reduced noise and dust. However, I just want to ensure I am ordering the correct part for my specific vehicle spec as EBC has many iterations of the same set of pads.

[TEF]

There are only three styles of pads for a G30 540i: Continental calipers and 348 mm x 30 mm rotors, Blue Brembo calipers and 348 mm x 36 mm rotors and Red Brembo calipers and 374 mm x 36 mm rotors.

Pads for the former are totally different, very wide and narrow with weighted ears. Pads for the Blue and Red calipers look very similar, but those for the Blue are shorter in height than those for the Red. If you can speak with someone before ordering, be sure to ask for some details (i.e. what sized rotors go with them?). The ones you want are for the 348 mm x 36 mm rotor. Another way to ensure the correct sized rotor would be to "order" pads for G11 740i base model. The part number for pads for your 540i and standard 740i should be the same.

[ezaircon4jc]

Be careful with EBC "stuff" pads. Some of their pads are for "racing and require quite a bit of heat to work. IIRC, the red's are more for racing and the green for street use.

[Junebug85]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Be careful with EBC "stuff" pads. Some of their pads are for "racing and require quite a bit of heat to work. IIRC, the red's are more for racing and the green for street use.

I've had EBC red stuff pads since May 2022 on my 540ix. They are a fast road/street pad for higher horsepower cars. Green stuff is similar to red stuff, but aimed at lower power cars. Yellow and Blue stuff are aimed for track use. Yellow is a street/track pad where as Blue is purely track aimed. They produce more brake dust and squeal noise.

I haven't had any squeal nosies with my red stuff pads. Brake dust is also very minimal, making it a lot easier to clean my wheels.