[DaWhole9]

Warning light just came on. Is this an easy DIY? Any tips? Can Bimmercode retract the rear brake piston or is the tool the best option? I was planning on getting the Zimmerman rotors and the Bosch brake pads. Would ceramics be the way to go?

[txm550i]

I would say it's a relatively easy DIY job. I did the rear brakes on both my M550i and my wife's X4. IIRC you will need Bimmercode to disable the parking brake AND the correct tool to compress the piston in the caliper. You can rent or buy the tool from any local parts store. I bought from O'Reillys for ~$75 I think. You'll need new pads, likely new rotors and one sensor.

I used OEM pads on my M550i which I believe are semi-metallic. I have no experience with running the other material types so I won't try and recommend anything but I know a lot owners don't like the dust the OEM pads create. I believe the feedback I've read in the forum here is that the other material types (that create much less dust like Ceramic) result in just a slightly less touchy feeling to the brakes but overall still very good and close to OEM.

[LittleBlue]

I've used Akebono brake pads on all previous BMW's and I love them, yes they are a bit softer but I didn't mind since they have almost ZERO brake dust!!!! They last a long time and are made in the USA.

They don't make them for late models G30 yet but they are out there, I have a'22 G30 M Sport with blue calipers and when it's time I'll be swapping mine to Akebono.

Most retailers carry them now, but I've bought them from FCP Euro before, but Google them and read the excellent reviews, you won't regret them!. Good luck.

[DaWhole9]

Originally Posted by LittleBlue

I've used Akebono brake pads on all previous BMW's and I love them, yes they are a bit softer but I didn't mind since they have almost ZERO brake dust!!!! They last a long time and are made in the USA.

They don't make them for late models G30 yet but they are out there, I have a'22 G30 M Sport with blue calipers and when it's time I'll be swapping mine to Akebono.

Most retailers carry them now, but I've bought them from FCP Euro before, but Google them and read the excellent reviews, you won't regret them!. Good luck.

Awesome...Thanks!

[DaWhole9]

OK...a followup. Did the brake job today. I did Zimmerman rotors, Brembo Ceramic pads and a new sensor. Knocked it out in about 2 hours.,

[LittleBlue]

Originally Posted by DaWhole9

OK...a followup. Did the brake job today. I did Zimmerman rotors, Brembo Ceramic pads and a new sensor. Knocked it out in about 2 hours.,

Nice! Just so I know for when the time comes to do mine, I assume the fronts are pretty straight forward, but never had to do rear brakes with electronic parking brake, what was the procedure that you followed to push the piston back ?

[DaWhole9]

I got a caliper piston tool off of Amazon for $20. I followed this video. Pretty much went as planned...straightforward. 2 bolts hold the caliper, replace pads...compress piston, put in new bolts...replace sensor on one side.

[LittleBlue]

Thanks! That's an awesome video. Can I ask you to share the link to the Amazon tool, also brake pads part numbers at your convenience?

Thank so much man!

[capese21]

It is good practice to grease the guide pins. I use Bimmerlink to put the caliper into service mode easier than winding it back manually which imho is not good for the motor.

[DaWhole9]

Originally Posted by capese21

It is good practice to grease the guide pins. I use Bimmerlink to put the caliper into service mode easier than winding it back manually which imho is not good for the motor.

Next time I will look into Bimmerlink...but winding it back takes literally 1 minute. it's simple.

[lnxguy]

Winding it back manually doesn't do anything to the motor...