Have a 03' S model with stock white spokes wheels. After moderate rode use, accumulate a lot of rotor dust on the wheels. The dealer recommended against dust shields. Any suggestions? Also, any cleaner effective over others?

 

Dust shields look REALLY lame. Same as mud flaps. Go with a lower dust brake pad. You can't get away from it. BMW/MINI pads shed like a dog. I wash my rims once every 2 days. And I'm using EBC greens. Once, I put the Stoptech BBK on with Axxis pads...I will let you know how those do.

 

Everyone has this problem - the OE pads are soot-generators. I got tired of it and had my brakes fitted with Hawk ceramic pads - slightly better braking, no squeal and almost zero dust. Not that expensive. Nothing but change of pads is going to solve the problem. Mintex red box also work well

 

Dust shields hold in the heat that the brakes produce. Not a good thing IMO. Changing to a different pad will help you out. Ceramics pads are probably your answer. You can get them from Outmotoring. Aaron is a good egg.

http://outmotoring.com/hawk_ceramic_brake_pads.html

Now as to why not to use mudflaps, that has me stumped.

 

My next set of wheels will be the "brake dust" gray color, anthracite should be pretty close.

 

After 507 miles and a few weekend details, I placed an order for Hawks ceramic pads today. Couldn't stand the crazy amounts of dust any longer!

 

Yes, but now you can't display that "driven hard" look anymore. (brake dust on the wheels and rubber shreds hanging from the rocker panels)

 

Ebc Greens!!!

 

I just wash the wheels weekly. . . maybe it is more satisfying because they are dirty, and then clean.

As an aside, my sister gave her 1987 Honda Accord to my 15 year old. The wheels are 20 years old and, under the hubcaps, have never been washed. We removed a lot of brake dust with chemicals but about 40% of the paint is still covered by hardened brake dust. It may actually deserve a geological classification, like limestone, sandstone or chert. We stored the wheels and the wheels/tires I purchased from the dealer (rejects by new MINI buyers) to mount snow tires upon are now on my son's Honda. We'll try cleaning the Honda wheels again when we pull them out for winter use.