Excessive Brake dust

[318i 1985]

I've been enjoying my new/old 85 318i for the past couple of weeks. I noticed that the two front wheels collect an unusual amount of brake dust after only three to four days of normal driving. The brakes feel ok, certainly the way disk brakes should, no loud shreaking sounds or anything, just a lot of dust. Time for new pads? Any suggestions on what type is best for a stock setup on this car?

Thanks

 

[Big Daddy]

A standard street brake pad leaves a large amount of brake dust, this is common and does not mean the pads are worn out. The only way to determined that is to examine them. Do some internet searches on brake pads and you will find that you can purchase brands that leave less dust. Check out Arizona Autohaus and Pelican Parts.

 

[deutsch100]

ALL German cars leave an annoying amount of Black! brake dust, even after small amounts of driving. With all the BMWs, MBZs and even the Audi...I could clean the wheels spotlessly, drive to the local market, and there was already a visibly layer of black brake dust (a fine layer, but already there). It seems that American and Japanese cars don't have nearly as much brake dust (but then again, most non-German cars don't have amazing brakes). Just another quirk mit deutschen Autos!

This brake dust is a lot of the reason Mercedes has been scoring so low in Consumer Reports and other consumer based reviews (according to Mercedes themselves). They claim that people who have never owned a German car are furious with the black dust on the wheels, and are giving bad feedback on the vehicles

 

[Average Jae]

breakdusts are a pain, but a daily part of living with a bmw or other german brands.

the glass is half full side of me says, its a great "time to wash me" indicator
the other side of me? WTF!!!

 

[E30m42cab]

Driving them like racecars doesn't help the dust factor either You can buy plates that go behind your rims that supposedly keep the dust off, but I've never seen anyone try them.