Brake pads

[Costas]

Reviving this long threat to ask for a bit of information. This is for OEM front pads.

It seems there are two part numbers:

34118395858
This is what I thought was the correct part.

But I also found:
34118534183
THis is also advertised as being the correct BMW part number for the front brake pads.

Does anyone know the difference? Are they the same?

I can buy the latter new for a fraction of the price, and wanted to make sure I am keeping the same stopping power.

Thanks

The late is the correct number . The first no is an old no used in usa.

[paulotex]

Have you checked on Realoem?

The late is the correct number . The first no is an old no used in usa.

Hum, strange. RealOEM says that 34118395858 is the part number, which supersedes 34117690170 and 34117658386. This seems the opposite of what Costas said.

And 34118534183 (which is the one I just got) is supposed to be for the S (and I have a R). Does this mean the brakes pads are not the same between the R and the S?

[Costas]

Pads appear to be the same in dimensions but they are different in composition and grams.
Those for an S are heavier and there is no problem using them for an R. Only OEM separates them.
All other brands make the same pads for all S and R .
TRW has a different rear one for 1200 fm the 1300 since the gap is smaller , still a 1300 can use both but the 1200 cant simply cause they do not fit.
An not talking about the diverse composition and materials used for pads by brands resulting on offering with the same code 3 or 4 different pads. As you know those differences exist in various forms to satisfy all costumers , use and do not forget in many cases countries legislation.
What matters is the composition. Experience and many tests demonstrated gain and again that for the discs used the best result comes with OEM.
Personally I cannot justify someone's decision to try something else destroying the brake performance in the vehicle that has the best brake in the world. At the same moment not many will rich the maximum brake performance and are satisfied enough with any kind of pads. It's allowed by a K bike simply cause its a K and stops always in time..

[paulotex]

Pads appear to be the same in dimensions but they are different in composition and grams.
Those for an S are heavier and there is no problem using them for an R. Only OEM separates them.

Strangely, this is not what I found out :-(. The new pads I got (34118534183) are a bit taller, so that the top hole for the fixating pin does not align properly on my R. I am trying to return them to the ebay seller I got them from.

In the next two pictures, my old pad is on top of the new pad. If the holes are aligned (top picture, on the left), then the bottom of the new pad is longer.


If the bottom of the pads are aligned (right of the picture), then the holes don't align.


Unless anyone is interested? I got the pair for £55 inside the original BMW plastic bag. They are part number 34118534183, which I believe to be the front pads for the K1300S. Just let me know if you are interested.

[drumwrecker]

I think the CL sites says their pads are made compatible with OEM discs.
I made me wonder if that means discs are made of different types of stainless steel and /or to suite the hole patterns in the disc.
There must be many bikes out there with the wrong pad to disc combination.
It can get all very complicated and over my head.
I bite the bullet and buy original and as Brian said some time back it your life at the end of the brake lever.

[flatfour]

I've just had new pads fitted to all discs by the BMW Dealer for my own peace of mind, as I will be touring two - up from next month. The two sets that were removed from the front still had 2.5 - 3mm thickness remaining, after 23,000 miles of use. The rears were similar, although they might have covered more miles as I am unable to find details of their replacement on any of the (many) service invoices that came with the bike.

[howlindawg]

I've just had new pads fitted to all discs by the BMW Dealer for my own peace of mind, as I will be touring two - up from next month. The two sets that were removed from the front still had 2.5 - 3mm thickness remaining, after 23,000 miles of use.

The OE front pads aren't particularly thick in the first place. Probably 5mm or less of friction material.
So you probably had 30-50% life left in the old ones.

[Costas]

I've just had new pads fitted to all discs by the BMW Dealer for my own peace of mind, as I will be touring two - up from next month. The two sets that were removed from the front still had 2.5 - 3mm thickness remaining, after 23,000 miles of use. The rears were similar, although they might have covered more miles as I am unable to find details of their replacement on any of the (many) service invoices that came with the bike.

Due ro receiving then as an advertised item during a TRW LUCAS promotion , last november had installed TRW front. Today  9000kms amd 6 session on track were more than enough to discovered how  Wrong I was.
My opinion : If you ride like following a funeral then aftermarket would last , and you might change discs at 80000.
Using OEM you pay more but discs would last 150000 .
Today installed OEM.   

[richtea]

My opinion : If you ride like following a funeral then aftermarket would last...

Beautiful use of the English language. Perfect, Costas!

[flatfour]

I'm sure that, as you say howlindawg, the pads in the front and rear would have gone on for a while yet. At the last service (2,000 miles ago) they were given a "green" for wear. However, I suppose that at my usual rate of around 4 - 5000 miles per year on the touring bike, I would need to replace them at some point soon and then not for a very long time, so I thought that I would have it done before the summer.

A very attractive price from the dealer helped, too!