Brake Job Complete

[jllphan]

As a novice mechanic (that's being generous), I did a four wheel brake job yesterday, and was suprised how easy it was. I was gonna make a DIY for everyone else, but the one in the FAQ section of this site posted by Furious was great.

Also recomended by Furious was my choice of EBC Green Stuff Kevlar pads. Not cheap, but I can already tell they will be good. Supposedly dustless with superior fade and grip to the oem pads.

Just wanted to let everyone know you can deffinately do this yourself, and it is silly to pay anyone else to do it.

[97alpineM3]

Good post..... I've done mine a million times... and just never thought to post how easy it is on the forum...

Where did you get your OBD conversion kit from...??... and how truely hard was it?

[Kevin325i]

Not to bash on the EBC green stuff but they're an awesome pad when you first get them and have good grip and little fade. But once they get a little worn they're crap. How much did everything end up costing you?

Kevin

[97alpineM3]

Just cause I'm curious Kevin... what type of pads do you use..... the brake type of course... :

[Kevin325i]

Man, as far as I know the fronts are OE with some ATE power slot rotors. And the rears are like "Captain Cadaver's Special blend" or like-product. It's time for a total over-haul. I'm thinking some Hawk HPs or Pagids. With some brembo slotted rotors.

Experience with EBC green stuff... Dad's ML320. When he first put them on one stop made you sick to your stomach. But now the fade is terrible. His traction control works off of brakes and before it couldn't get sideways at ALL. Now in the snow or mud you can drift it like a rwd car.

Hawk pads experience with my brother's 190e 2.6. They stop good and don't have any fade. But the initial bite really is lacking, and the pedal feel sucks. I wish I knew which compound it is. Only reason I'd consider it is because of the lack of fade and dust.

Oh yeah, those EBCs. NO DUST, it's crazy.

Kevin

[jllphan]

Kev: I paid $140 for all four pads. I was really drawn to the dustlessness of the Green Stuff, and like I said, they came highly recomended from our beloved leader. The rears didn't need changing, but the specs by EBC (ironically enough) said to do front and rear, not just front; as the two different types could add to brake lock (go figure they want you to buy two sets instead of one).


97Alpine: The OBDII-OBDI conversion was purchased and installed by Zionsville Autosports. I'm sure you have already heard of them as they are a very repsected Autohaus amongst the BMW community. IF you haven't, you should. They are VERY knowledgeable and friendly, and have some very cool kits available for the e36 cars including 6speed manual conversions, and the OBDII conversion. Here is a link to give you a better idea of costs {HERE}

It's not cheap, but very well worth it as you not only enjoy more horsepower, but a healthier running engine as well.

[97alpineM3]

Thanks jllphan.......

[jllphan]

*UPDATE*

I said I would report back on the overall impression of EBC Green Stuff Kevlar Brake pads purchased as recomended by Furious once I had ample time to play.

Initial impression is that they do offer nearly dustelss performance as advertised. As one who loves shiny wheels, this is definately a bonus.

How do they perform? I can sum it up in two words...HOLY SHIT!

Yup, I've been very impressed so far, I don't tax my brakes all the time for fear of warping the rotors, but I was commuting home the other day on the interstate and had to panic brake. Unbelievable. Car in front of me (going too slow in the left lane as usual) obcvously not paying attention over reacts to slow traffic ahead and slammed on the brakes. I did the same, and if anyone would have been 100ft or less behind me, they would have certainly rear ended me. I went from 10ft behind the car in front of me to 60ft back in seconds. Very impressive indeed.

On a spirited drive, they perform as well as any pads I've owned.

The only question I now have is, how long will they last?