DIXCEL Front Brake Pads
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DIXCEL Front Brake Pads - BMW M3 / M3 CSL / 330i (E46) / Z4 M (E85/E86) / X3 (E83) / 5 Series (E39) / Alpina B3
Upgrade your BMW's front braking performance with Dixcel brake pads, engineered in Japan and developed through decades of OEM supply and motorsport experience. Dixcel pads are designed to deliver consistent braking performance, stable pedal feel, and reliable control for daily driving through to more spirited use.
This listing covers the 3 Series (E46) in 330i, 330Xi, 330Ci and 330Ci Cabriolet forms, along with the M3 and M3 CSL. It also covers the 5 Series (E39) in 525i, 528i and 535i forms across sedan and touring body styles, the Z4 (E85/E86) in 3.0si and Z4 M coupe and roadster forms, and the X3 (E83) in 2.5i, 2.5si, 3.0i and 3.0si forms.
On the Alpina side it covers the B3 3.3 in 328 and 330 based forms, the B3 3.3 Allroad, the B3S 3.3 and the Alpina Z4 Roadster S. Multiple compound options are available, ranging from street-focused replacements to higher-performance applications. Use the comparison chart on this product page to select the compound best suited to your driving style and vehicle configuration.
Vehicle compatibility, OEM part numbers, and pad shape are provided in the tabs above. Please ensure your vehicle's year, trim level, and brake configuration are confirmed before ordering.
Not sure which compound is right for your vehicle? Contact our team at sales@chicaneaustralia.com.au for expert advice.
Vehicle Compatibility
| Make | Model | Generation | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpina | B3 3.3 (328) | E46 | 1999 - 2004 | 3.3L I6 / Sedan / Type 3E44 and ME44 and NE44 |
| Alpina | B3 3.3 (330) | E46 | 1999 - 2004 | 3.3L I6 / Sedan / Type 3E46 and UE46 and VE46 and XE46 |
| Alpina | B3 3.3 Allroad | E46 | 2001 - 2002 | 3.3L I6 / AWD / Touring / Type CE48 and DE48 |
| Alpina | B3S 3.3 | E46 | 2004 - 2005 | 3.3L I6 / Type 3E50 |
| Alpina | Z4 Roadster S | E85 | 2004 - 2006 | 3.4L I6 / RWD / Roadster / Type PE52 |
| BMW | 330i / 330Xi / 330Ci / 330Ci Cabriolet | E46 | 2000 - 2006 | 3.0L I6 / Sedan and Coupe and Cabriolet / Type AV30 |
| BMW | M3 3.2 / M3 CSL | E46 | 2001 - 2007 | 3.2L I6 / RWD / Coupe and Cabriolet / Type BL32 and M3CSL |
| BMW | 525i / 528i / 535i | E39 | 1996 - 2003 | 2.5L and 2.8L I6 and 3.5L V8 / RWD / Sedan / Type DD25 and DM25 and DT25 and DD28 and DM28 |
| BMW | 525i / 528i Touring | E39 | 1997 - 2004 | 2.5L and 2.8L I6 / RWD / Touring / Type DS25 and DS25A and DD28A |
| BMW | Z4 3.0si / 3.0si Coupe | E85/E86 | 2006 - 2009 | 3.0L I6 / RWD / Roadster and Coupe / Type BU30 and DU30 |
| BMW | Z4 M 3.2 | E85/E86 | 2006 - 2009 | 3.2L I6 / RWD / Coupe and Roadster / Type BT32 and DU32 |
| BMW | X3 2.5i / 2.5si / 3.0i / 3.0si | E83 | 2004 - 2011 | 2.5L and 3.0L I6 / xDrive AWD / SUV / Type PA25 and PC25 and PA30 and PC30 |
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Product Comparison
Select up to two products below to compare their technical specifications side-by-side.
Premium Type
Excellent braking power and dust reduction for European applications.
EC Type
Improved effectiveness and reduced dust. Perfect for JDM city driving.
M Type
Ultra-low dust pad for clean wheels without sacrificing stopping power.
X Type
High stopping power for heavy SUVs. Effective with large diameter wheels.
ES Type
Entry-level sports pad with increased heat resistance and stable braking.
S Type
Street Sports pad ideal for lightweight vehicles. Firm rigid pedal touch.
Z Type
All-round performance. Best match for high grip radial tyres.
RE Type
ABS-compatible racing pad. Minimises ABS intervention for high-grip tyres.
RA Type
Racing pads pursuing high effectiveness and linear control for high-powered cars.
Specom-β
Endurance racing pad with exceptionally high wear resistance and stability.
Pad Specifications
| Feature | Pad A | Pad B |
|---|---|---|
| Intended Use | – | – |
| Target Vehicle | – | – |
| Friction Material | – | – |
| Bite Coefficient (µ) | – | – |
| Initial Bite Feel | – | – |
| Operating Temp | – | – |
| Dust Level | – | – |
| Rotor Wear | – | – |
| Tyre Match | – | – |
| Hardware Included | – | – |
* "YES*" denotes wear sensors are included on primary street applications where applicable. Track-only pads omit sensors due to extreme temperatures.
PD Type
Standard replacement rotor with factory-beating precision and anti-rust coating.
SD Type
Up to 20% more braking power with 6 offset slits for enhanced street and sports driving.
FP Type
Professional plain rotor with advanced heat treatment and 20% more carbon for ultimate crack resistance.
FS Type
The ultimate slotted racing rotor, combining high-carbon durability with enhanced initial bite.
2-Piece Assembly
Floating 2-piece structure prevents thermal judder, cuts weight, and allows outer ring replacement.
Rotor Specifications
| Feature | Rotor A | Rotor B |
|---|---|---|
| Intended Use | – | – |
| Target Stage | – | – |
| Material Structure | – | – |
| Surface Design | – | – |
| Anti-Rust Coating | – | – |
| Heat Treatment | – | – |
| Hub Structure | – | – |
| Key Benefit | – | – |
* Anti-rust coatings inhibit rust but do not completely prevent it on cast iron. Black finishing on 2-piece rotors wears to bare iron on the pad contact surface.
* Note: PD and SD type rotors may feature High Carbon (HC) material depending on the specific car model application.
FAQ
DIXCEL Brake Pads – Frequently Asked Questions
DIXCEL pads are engineered in Japan to provide improved stopping power, stronger pedal feel, heat resistance and long-term durability. They offer a more controlled braking feel than OEM pads, especially under repeated braking.
- EC Type: Daily street use – quiet & comfortable.
- Premium Type: OEM-plus upgrade for comfort & usability.
- M Type: Ultra-low dust – keeps wheels clean.
- ES Type: Spirited driving & winding roads.
- S Type: Street-sports & occasional track.
- Z Type: Street → supersprints → light circuit.
- RE / Specom B: Motorsport-only – not suitable for road use.
Most street-compound DIXCEL pads include wear sensors if the vehicle requires them. Some cars do not use sensors at all. If your vehicle normally runs a wear sensor and the pad set does not include one, a replacement sensor can be added separately as an optional extra.
Street-focused pads generally include anti-squeal shims and grease. Motorsport compounds typically do not include shims due to high temperature operation and racing caliper design.
Pad life depends heavily on vehicle weight, brake temperature, pad compound and driving style. Gentle daily commuting will see much longer life than repeated hard braking, spirited driving or track use, which can wear pads significantly faster.
Street compounds are designed to minimise noise. Motorsport pads may squeal when cold or lightly used – this is normal behaviour at race-level temperatures.
Yes — bedding-in is essential for correct friction transfer. Perform several medium-pressure stops to apply material to the rotor, followed by light driving to cool the brakes before heavy use.
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