Excessive brake dust. A European tradition?

[Ferocious]

Over the years I have noticed that a lot of European cars have "lots" of brake dust. Especially Porsches and BMW's. Also I have noticed this with some "domestic" cars whose roots are European, and/or are the American versions of a European car.

But I really have never seen this "problem" with true domestics or Japanese cars.

Just my imagination or is there a valid reason for this?

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

The front rims of my car (Japanese) are covered in break dust. There goes your theory.

 

[samgau]

Its typical of automatic cars.... manual transmission leads to a lot less brake dust... also depends on who makes the brake pads...

 

[bizmark]

funny, I've noticed the same thing.

Maybe it has to do more with the brake/wheel combination used. Presumably more 'open' wheels will let out more brake dust, and disc brakes will create more dust than drum brakes. Therefore higher-performance cars (read: almost anything from Europe that's imported to the US), which tend to have cool, more-open wheels and large disc brakes on all four corners, are more likely to have a ton of brake dust.

 

[Hammer]

I know exactly what you mean, I have a 2000 BMW 3 series, and I get squeaks when I brake at low speeds. I took my car in to get it looked at and at first they told me then were glazed. I was leaving the lot and the problem continued. I went back to talk to my rep and he hands me this paper about brake dust, and how because they are designed for high speed, blah blah blah, and that BMW recommends not changing them. Well, the brakes are excellent, I'm not changing them and it only happens at low speeds, but I don't like it.

 

[BigSmooth]

Some Audis get a lot of brake dust too.

 

[Jerboy]

Its totally dependent on type of brake pad you have.

Get those lifetime warranty pads and you won't see much dust, but expect the rotors to wear out before the pads.

 

[Vegito]

notice that too but there are these "dust less" brake pads out there... but dunno how good.. so if a manufacture is trying to save money, they might give you the super duster brake pads.... hehe... anyway there are a lot of reduce dust pads out there...

 

[notfred]

BMWs and Porsches have bigger brakes than your average Honda Civic or Ford Taurus. Bigger brake pad -> more brake dust.

 

[KokomoGST]

<< Just my imagination or is there a valid reason for this? >>


There's a perfectly valid reason... the compound(s) used for the brake pads.

Generally speaking, higher performing pads will kick up more dust when you get on them. If you watch any Speedvision Touring car or GT races, you'll notice that you can actually see brake dust fly out from the calipers under severe braking for some cars.



<< I have a 2000 BMW 3 series, and I get squeaks when I brake at low speeds >>


I'm guessing that a lot of Euro cars use carbon-metallic pads (which stop much better than the organic one used in "normal cars") and (not guessing) the higher metallic content is what causes the squeaking. You can possibly remedy the squeaking by changing to a high-performance composite brake pad like Porterfields. They'll spew dust still and put more wear on your rotors. The more metal or high friction composite in the pads, the faster you'll wear your rotors. Full on race compound pads sometimes need to be warmed up, and they can be so "hard" as to destroy your disc rotors. Also, since 80% braking is done by your front brakes, they'll probably have lots more dust...

Those extra long life pads are probably very low friction and won't stop you very well, probably cheaper, and won't wear your rotors that much. Hope this has been informative!

 

[Thegonagle]

Actually, I've seen it on a lot of cars of all nationalities that are driven by meat heads who brake hard all the time. I think it has more to do with the driver than the car. Why more euro cars? They generally appeal to the ?sportier drivers.? I?ve seen it on Contours, Focuses, Grand Ams and Grand Prixs, as well as VW and Audis.

That?s my theory. I could be wrong, but when I see a car brake hard to a stop for no other reason than they look like they?re having fun (or they?re raging, LOL), I usually observe a good amount of brake dust on the rim.

 

[cipher00]

My Audi does. But the MTA cars in the NYC subway system get more.

 

[Thegonagle]

<< My Audi does. But the MTA cars in the NYC subway system get more. >>


Um hmm.

 

[Bignate603]

I think it also depends on the rims whether it collects on the rims or not. I'm sure there's some rims that collect it more then others, depending on finish and air flow