2004 330Ci - Brake Dust Sheild?

fleiscd

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Hamden, Connecticut
#1
Hello all. I've had "my baby" for about 3 months now AND I LOVE IT! It's an AMAZING car. It rides great; it's so much fun to drive. The looks and response I get from people while driving is the best.

Anyway, I have a question. Like we all know the Brake Dust on the rims is a pain in the butt. I was told that “Brake Dust Shields" would solve the problem. I haven't found any for 2004 models, but have seen them for sale for other model years.

Is anybody currently using them?
Where can I find them for a 2004 330Ci?
Are they any good?
Is there anything I need to worry about if I do install them?
Will it screw up my warranty?

Any info you can provide about these Brake Dust Shields would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
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Waldorf, MD
#2
[thumb] They don't make brake dust shields for models of cars per say... They make them specifically for rims. You order your brake dust shield according to the rims you are running. Different sizes and shields for different types of rims. If you do a internet search on Brake Dust pads there are several site that will be able to provide you with further purchase information. I'm still researching before I purchase a set. I found the shields that match my 18" M- Parallel rims but just have not commited to them yet. Happy Motoring... [driving2]
 
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CT
#3
All I know is I once saw this on an Audi and I though it looked really bizarre; at quick glance, it looks you have black-painted steel wheels with hubcaps. Personally, I'd rather deal with the brake dust. Also, I wonder if these shields can have any adverse affect on the cooling of the brakes [???1]

fleiscd, where in CT are you?
 
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Orlando, FL
#4
I hate to leave a post with incomplete infomration without providing evidence or source of my info -- but I know I read somewhere about brake dust pads having adverse effects...and possibly violating warranty -- Wish i knew where I saw it -- cuz I was interested in them on my first BMW.
 
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NY
#5
I have a set on my SUV. The way it works - the plate goes against the wheel and the hub. the plate has slits that are directioned such that the rotation of the wheel blows the wind inward towards the hub, thus the brake dust stay in the hub and not on your wheel.

1. They look stupid - especially when you have nice wheels with the thin spokes. Don't you want to see the oversize rotors and custom brembo brakes ?

2. If you drive your car hard, the shields will not allow sufficient air flow to cool the brakes / rotor, warp and damage them.
 
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Orlando, FL
#6
I hate to leave a post with incomplete information without providing evidence or source of my info -- but I know I read somewhere about brake dust pads having adverse effects...and possibly violating warranty -- Wish i knew where I saw it -- cuz I was interested in them on my first BMW.
 
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fleiscd

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#7
I'm in Hamden CT, "xmas63".

I have the Sports Package, so I have the M Rims on my car and they get very dirty with brake dust very quickly. I wash my car, get the rims all nice and clean...and then the next day they are dirty with brake dust. I have about 5000 miles on my car now, so the pads should be broken-in. I haven't installed any after-market equipment on my car.

When I searched online for Brake Dust Shields I saw them listed by make/model/year, that's why I was asking about them for a 2004 model. It makes sense they aren't by year, but wasn't sure (I thought there might be more too it than I knew).
 
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New Haven, Connecticut
#8
fleicsd, I'll have to look for your Ci on the road. I'm in New Haven.

I've also wondered about the shields, but settled for trying out less expensive wheel wax first. Bad news is, the wheels accumulate brake dust just as fast. Good news is that they clean up SO much easier. I think I've got easier since I have the flat 7 spoke 17" wheels rather than the double 5 spoke M wheels. Less detail to clean.
 
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Walnut Creek, CA
#9
I used to have dust sheilds on my old car - toyota supra, they worked great, but looked lame! I wouldn't block my nice looking disks on my 330, but I would upgrade my brake pads to ceramic or a newer (dust less) composite.

Has anyone upgraded their pads and had success??
 
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Location
Desert Southwest
#10
I have discovered that AXXIS MetalMaster brake pads really cut down on the brake dust! After a good brake in, I think that they offer a really good compromise between performance and dust.

Careful with these dust shields, they may reduce the amount of cooling air to your calipers and disks.
 
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Location
Atlanta, GA
#11
Easy soluton - get better brake pads.

I've also heard the same thing about brake shields - under heavy driving they do not let the brakes cool/vent as they would normally w/o the shields. And they do look pretty goofy with some wheels (The smaller the spokes, the more of this shield you better plan to see).

Good brakes that work are part of the draw to BMW's. Brake dust is a result of good brakes. Waxing your wheels can make it alot easier to clean, but the best solution still is...

Get better pads, or dustless pads (some 'dustless' also effect your stopping power). Hawk HPS are good, very little brake dust, and does not effect your braking power. There are plenty of others, poke around some in the Vendors section.
 

jfh

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long island NY
#12
How about this:
I was thinking about getting a toilet brush and leaving it in a bucket of soapy water in the garage. (you know how some gas stations leave a squeege in water for cleaning the windows)Then I can clean the wheels every day in about 4 minutes.
{My wife came home with a new brush yesterday and as soon as I saw it it occurred to me that it might be the perfect size for cleaning the wheels.}
Haven't tried it yet but I gonna give it a shot this weekend.
 

fleiscd

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Hamden, Connecticut
#13
DrivingTopless...I have the "Save the Sound" license plates with DJEF on them, I'm around New Haven often. A buddy of mine has an Orient Blue BMW like yours, a 2004 330Cic...nice color. I almost went with a Cic...kick myself every-so-often for not getting a convert...but I figured I'd wait to get a M4 Convert in a few years.

Thanks all for your suggestions.

Several of you have mentioned "wax"...what's the deal with that/where can I get it/what do I look for, etc.

I'm a newbie to this so I do appreciate all of your comments. I did buy this spray on stuff that was supposed to reduce brake dust and make them easier to clean but it didn't seem to do all that much.
 


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