I'm at 45k on my 03GC. Of the 45k, perhaps 40K of that, I've had the windows down. It's my to/from work therapy. My driving is 90% city and I'm on my 3rd set of pads (18k, then 40k). Pad wear is normal.

What isnt normal is the amount of brake dust in the back. Every 8 months or so, I have to get back there with Lexol soap (followed by conditioner) and the damp cloth comes out black. I have brake dust in the door jams and all the way up the B pillar. Quite a bit around the seatbelt hanger. And recently, as I had never cleaned this area, my headliner was turning black with brake dust. At last two strips near the back windows. Some is embedded, I assume it was hot when it landed on the leather. The worst of it is from moving something around, it leave black scratch marks or scuffs. The wife and I were at a wedding and she put a garment back there.. Straight to the dry cleaners

No, there is no construction or other source of it. It is definitely brake dust. My third set of pads are dusting less, but damn, I'm really starting to worry about how much of this I breathe. Rolling up the windows seems like the obvious course of action, but honestly, I wouldnt enjoy the car. Changing pad compound seems like a decent idea, but I dont want to breathe ceramic either. At this point, I'd even buy a BBK if it somehow shed the dust alittle differently.

 

Never heard of this problem, but I'd be interested to hear more about this since I drive around all the time with my windows down too

 

I've noticed dark dust on my tan leather as well but I'm not sure if it's brake dust. I keep the windows open a lot but I figure it's just normal everyday pollutants/particulates that are in the air.

 

Everyone has it!!!! Just rub your hand on your headliner, especially in the rear seating area. You'll be p!ssed when you see how much crap is on there.
Best advice is to clean it monthly. A few of us noticed it about a year ago, and it's a combo of brake dust and road grime.

 

Hope this helps.

There are two holes on each side of the car inside the trunk right behind the rear wheels which is covered with a very crappy one way vent to let air out. I had taken these out for a few weeks and noticed break dust and rubber building up very rapidly inside the trunk. I put the vents back on and now it's not building up again.

If you think it's that much of a problem I suppose you could seal them completely with tape or something else.

As you can see on the outside shot, not only is the vent behind the rear wheel but the air vent from the tire pretty much directs dirty air right to it.

 

huh, interesting... I do know that vent from installing my XM.. I'll take a look at that and see what sealed vs open does. thanks

 

yeah it's just everyday dirt. i didn't know anything about it until last year when i gave some people from work a ride to lunch. i had a girl sit in the back with tan pants on and her butt came out all black. Thanks what she gets for saying it was my turn to drive.

 

How do you know it's your brake dust?

 

the brembos on the 03 are really soft and create a lot of brake dust. maybe try different brakes next time you get them replaced?

 

I've never noticed this phenomenon with mine, though my drive is only 9 miles each way, and I never drive with the windows all the way down - I leave them half up for acoustical reasons (can talk better on my hands-free with them half up, and can hear the stereo better.)

 

ya i noticed my headliner is pretty dirty

 

That's an interesting problem. I think GWord256 has it pegged. As well your pad wear seems very high as well. Are those Brembos?

 

mines from me smoking lol

 

Not just Brembro's, I have an 05, no Brembros......it happens on all G's....just reach back and rub the headliner.

 

Um.. that's for the trunk but I don't think he's talking about that right? When he says back I think he's talking about the backseat area and the headliner.. I don't know am I missing something here?