Brembo OE Brakes for the BMW 328i: Which Parts Fit

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

For the BMW 328i, the Brembo OE parts we carry are complete rear disc brake kits: a pair of UV-coated vented rotors plus a set of Brembo Prime ceramic pads, matched to a specific model year and drivetrain. The 2012-2013 rear-wheel-drive 328i and the 2013 328i xDrive take different kits, so the first job is confirming which car you have. For the front axle, we carry Hawk pad sets that fit the 328i xDrive.

Which Brembo OE Kit Fits Your 328i

Brembo OE kits are sold by axle and by exact application. On this car the difference between a rear-drive 328i and an xDrive 328i matters, because the kits are listed separately and should not be assumed interchangeable. Use this table as a starting point, then confirm against your VIN and the part listing before you order.

If your car is not listed here, browse our full brake rotor selection and brake pads by vehicle, or check the complete brake parts catalog. BMW offered more than one brake package on the 3 Series across these years, so matching the pad shape and rotor size to what is on your car is more reliable than matching the model name alone.

What You Get With Brembo OE: Prime Pads and UV-Coated Rotors

The Brembo OE kits pair two parts from Brembo's Prime line, which Brembo positions as OE-equivalent replacement parts rather than a big brake upgrade. The kit goes on in place of the factory rotors and pads and uses your existing calipers.

Prime ceramic pads

Brembo describes its Prime ceramic compound as having less metal than a standard pad, aimed at cleaner wheels, lower dust and quieter stops. The pads use chamfered edges and notches to cut noise, an anti-noise shim matched to each pad type, and on some part numbers a patented damping weight. Brembo also notes wear indicators are included where the application calls for them. For a daily-driven 328i that is the right trade: smooth, quiet and low-dust, with a pedal feel close to the factory pad.

UV-coated rotors

Brembo coats the braking surface, the outer diameter and the hub of its UV-coated rotors, which protects the parts of the disc that normally rust first, including the hat you see behind the wheel spokes. Brembo states the coating does not need to be removed before installation, so there is no stripping with brake cleaner. The coating on the friction face wears off during the first stops; the coating on the hat and edge stays and keeps the rotor looking clean through wet winters.

Signs Your 328i Needs Brakes

• Brake warning on the dash. BMW uses an electronic pad wear sensor. When the pad wears to its limit, the sensor wears through and a message appears. Once triggered, the sensor has done its job and should be replaced with the new pads, or the warning will not clear.
• Vibration or pulsing in the pedal or steering wheel. Usually uneven pad deposits or rotor thickness variation. Replacing the rotors along with the pads is the normal fix.
• Grinding. That is usually the pad backing plate on the rotor. Stop driving and replace both pads and rotors on that axle.
• Heavy black dust on the wheels. Common with some factory-style pads. A ceramic pad such as Prime ceramic or Hawk Performance Ceramic is the usual answer.
• A hard pedal that takes more effort than normal. That points to a power-assist problem, not a pad problem. See the recall note below.

Check This Recall Before You Blame the Brakes

NHTSA campaign 14V627000 covers certain 2012-2014 BMW 328i sedans, 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons and related four-cylinder BMW models. According to the recall summary, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assist may fail due to insufficient lubrication, which reduces braking assist. The dealer remedy is a locking ring installed in the camshaft to keep the seal disk in place. If your 328i has a firm pedal that needs extra effort to stop, run your VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup before buying pads. New pads and rotors will not fix a failed vacuum pump, and the recall repair is done free of charge.

Choosing Pads: Brembo Prime vs the Hawk Options

For most owners the Brembo OE kit is the simplest choice for the rear: pads and rotors designed together, in one box, for one application. The Hawk pads fill different roles.

• Hawk Performance Ceramic (HB765Z.664, front). Hawk calls this compound extremely quiet with ultra-low dust and stable friction output, and says it is gentle on rotors. A good street pad for a 328i xDrive owner who wants consistent bite without the dust.
• Hawk HPS 5.0 (HB766B.624, rear). A street performance compound Hawk describes as having aggressive torque with good pad and rotor wear life and consistent release. Choose this if you drive hard on back roads and want a firmer pedal. Expect more dust than a ceramic.
• Hawk DTC-70 (HB765U.664, front). This is a motorsport compound. Hawk lists applications such as circle track, sports car and GT racing. It is meant for track days, not the commute: it works best hot and is noisier and dustier on the street. Swap back to a street pad after the event.

Hawk states that its compounds are designed for iron rotors and are not compatible with carbon ceramic rotors. The 328i runs iron discs, so that is not a concern here, but it matters if you share parts with other BMW models.

Mixing brands between front and rear is fine. What you should not do is mix compounds side to side on the same axle. Replace pads in axle sets.

What to Replace at the Same Time

• Pad wear sensor. Replace it any time the warning has come on, or if the old sensor is damaged during removal.
• Hardware. Anti-rattle clips and slide pins should move freely. Clean the pin bores and use a brake-specific lubricant. A brake hardware kit is cheap insurance.
• Brake fluid. BMW schedules brake fluid changes by time. If yours is overdue, flush it while the wheels are off, using the fluid type printed on the reservoir cap or in the owner's manual.
• Rotors. Always replace rotors in pairs, and check the minimum thickness marked on the rotor if you plan to reuse them.

How Hard Is the Job

A pad and rotor swap on the 328i is a moderate driveway job with basic hand tools, a torque wrench, and a way to push the caliper piston back. The rotor is held to the hub by a small retaining screw that often seizes; an impact driver helps. Clean all rust off the hub face before fitting the new rotor so it sits flat and does not cause runout. Torque the caliper bolts, carrier bolts and wheel bolts to the values in the factory service information, not a generic chart.

On the rear axle, account for the parking brake before you push the caliper piston back. Follow the factory procedure for your model year, which may call for a scan tool. After the job, bed the pads in with a series of moderate stops from speed without coming to a full stop, then let the brakes cool. Both Brembo and Hawk expect a proper bed-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brembo OE the same as a Brembo big brake kit?

No. Brembo OE kits are direct replacement pads and rotors that use your factory calipers. A big brake kit replaces the calipers and uses larger rotors. For a 328i used on the street, the OE kit is the right choice.

Do I need to clean the coating off Brembo UV-coated rotors?

No. Brembo says the rotors are ready to install with no coating removal. The coating on the braking surface wears away in normal use while the coated hat and edge stay protected.

Will the 2013 328i xDrive rear kit fit my rear-wheel-drive 328i?

Do not assume so. The kits are listed for specific drivetrains and years. Use the kit that matches your exact car, and confirm by VIN if you are unsure.

Why does my brake warning stay on after new pads?

Usually the wear sensor was not replaced or was not plugged back in. A worn-through sensor cannot reset the warning. Fit a new sensor with the new pads.

Can I use Hawk DTC-70 pads on the street?

They will stop the car, but they are built for racing. They are loud, dusty and less effective when cold. Use them for track days and run a street pad the rest of the time.

Sources

1. Brembo Prime Ceramic Brake Pads - Prime ceramic compound, chamfers, shims, damping weight, wear indicators
2. Brembo Prime Brake Rotors - UV coating on braking surface, outer diameter and hub; no removal needed before install
3. Hawk Performance HB765Z.664 - Performance Ceramic compound, 0.664 in thickness, iron rotors only
4. Hawk Performance HB766B.624 - HPS 5.0 rear pad, 0.624 in thickness, BMW 3 Series rear fitment
5. Hawk Performance HB765U.664 - DTC-70 motorsport compound and intended uses
6. NHTSA recalls, 2014 BMW 328i - Recall 14V627000, brake vacuum pump lubrication and reduced power assist