Is having less brake dust on front wheels normal?

[Wally1552]

Hi guys,
Is it normal for 2011 E90 M3 to have significantly less brake dust on the fronts versus the rear? To provide some scale in terms of 1-10 (1 no dust; 10 almost black), when my rears are a 7 or 8, my fronts are only like a 2-3. Its been like this ever since owning the car for about 1 year.

I cant gauge whether I feel less stopping power because I dont have other cars to compare it to. It stops OK but I know our OEM brakes in general aren't that strong to begin with (singe piston). I've never felt scared the car couldnt stop at high speeds but I just want to make sure nothing is off.

Im on stock pads and rotors. Pads only have about 12K miles on them. Rotors are close to min. thickness however.

Any ideas or how to go about diagnosing if there is an issue or if its normal?

[Deebo]

Are you sure you’re on stock pads? I always had more on the fronts than the rears, tons on both.

Now that I’ve switched to Akebono ceramics, there’s almost no dust and my ZCPs are extremely easy to clean.

[Wally1552]

hmm Im pretty sure they are stock pads but not definite. Can you explain why that would matter? I know for sure they are not high end/low dust pads on the front if that is what you're thinking?

[kscarrol]

There are pads available that produce less dust. Perhaps the previous owner switched to those before you got the car.

[MikeyDawg]

Originally Posted by Deebo

Are you sure you’re on stock pads? I always had more on the fronts than the rears, tons on both.

Now that I’ve switched to Akebono ceramics, there’s almost no dust and my ZCPs are extremely easy to clean.

Good to know, pad dust is ridiculous of my front pads but they are probably due to be changed in the next 5k miles.

[pbonsalb]

Probably your front pads were replaced with ceramic.

[PACarGuy]

I'd agree with others that likely you're not on stock front pads and probably on ceramics or another (higher temp) compound.

As an aside, our brakes are plenty strong, and that single piston is pretty massive, so stopping power is not the issue with our stock M3 brakes. Heat management from repeated high speed braking on the track may be an issue for some with the stock setup, but not stopping power, and the OEM pads (Textar) are actually quite good street pads that work in all temps and have good bite. The penalty for that cold bite and stopping power is lots of brake dust.

[Wally1552]

You guys might be right. Previous owner may have replaced front pads with low dust aftermarket. Thanks for the advice guys!