Brake pads Textar or Carbotech

I got Zimmerman rotors and Textar brake pads for my 2013 550i with the M package. Everything is been working great for the last 6 months.

At the shop I run, we use textar pads on Zimmerman rotors. For some reason textar on textar always make noise on BMWs ( we elevated our complaints all the way to Textar, and they sent a rep to finally shrug). Pagid pads are ok, but I find they wear out more quickly.

My go to brake pad is Textar. Why? Less problems. Since I own a shop, any warranty issue is wasted time. I will not charge a client to make it right. I do not have time to do the job a second time.

I replaced my front brakes recently with Textar pads and new Zimmerman rotors (non-PP brakes). Overall I am happy with them; I think they have a little more cold bite than the original pads do but are very similar to the stock pad compound. Original pads left deep grooves/ridges in the rotor around 55k miles. I don't track/autocross the car and I'm pretty easy on brakes. I also prefer and good cold bite which you don't always get with a ceramic pad.

Carbotech is the way :) Seriously though, I have XP-12 front and XP-8 rear on my Elise and had XP-12 on my Focus ST and they are great. Tried the Hawks on one car, and hated them. Downside of the carbotech is the insane squealing on the street.

Second the recommendation for the Carbotech 1521 compound, good choice for the street.

I've had very good results using Carbotech pads. Their street pad compount 1521 is comparable to OEM but without the brake dust and their various XP track pads have been very consistent and predictable.

I have the 1521’s, and will add another data point - less initial bite, great modulation. No dust, No noise. Overall I’m happy with them, but will continue to experiment - next round of braking components - floating/2 piece rotors and new calipers.

Brake rotors are ATE and pads are Textar.

I ran into some brake issues. The pedal started getting squishy even in wet conditions. It never got dangerously deep, but it was still unpredictable. In the last session, the track dried up and I was able to push. I experienced somewhat serious fade. I had to absolutely stand on the brake pedal to get the car stopped. After pulling into the paddock and circling around to let the car cooldown, I still smelled brakes for the next 20+ minutes. The pedal firmed up on the way home.