The EBC GD1361 is a rear rotor from EBC's GD Sport line, sized for the 13+ BMW X1 3.0 Turbo (35i). The rotors are made from R90-approved blanks, with the majority cast in the EU. They are a superb solution for fast street cars and 4x4s. Its wide-aperture slots draw cool air under the brake pad and rotor interface, which helps limit the heat that builds during repeated hard stops and reduces the fade that stock-style rotors can show on a heavy crossover. Compared with plain replacements, the slotted face also helps you get more consistent pad life, since the manufacturer says the slots help maintain even pad wear, run cooler, and expel dirt, mud, water, and dust from the braking area. Buyers searching for a BMW X1 35i rear slotted rotor upgrade, an xDrive35i rear brake rotor replacement, or an EBC GD Sport rear rotor for the E84 will find it fits this single-part swap.
Rear rotor work on this platform is a manageable DIY job, but it has a few traps. Owners on user forums working on the related E90 3-Series report that the parking brake shoe can get stuck on the inside of the hub, and a small star wheel there must be rotated to back the shoe off. Forum members also advise that wire brushing the hub and bearing surfaces before fitting the new rotor helps prevent corrosion from causing the rotor to sit off-square and wobble. Once installed, owners on user forums recommend a gentle break-in: drive steadily within the first 300-400 miles of road use and use the brakes violently only in an emergency. Expect this period to run longer if new pads and rotors go on together.
The manufacturer's GD Sport page describes third-generation rotors that feature silver corrosion protection, while other product descriptions for this part describe a black coating. Details vary, so confirm the current finish with the manufacturer if appearance matters to you.
Opinions on user forums vary. One owner discussion on the same X1 generation argues that slotted and drilled rotors are a waste of money because they crack as soon as significant heat builds in them. Other owners on user forums have reported favorable results after fitting EBC GD rotors on the rear of their X1 and say the look and cooling are an improvement.
Owners on user forums say that fully bedding new pads onto worn discs may take only 200-300 miles, but when new discs are fitted at the same time, full-width contact can take far longer. Plan for gentle braking throughout that period and check the rotor face for an even contact band.
Plan on a moderate DIY job with a jack, jack stands, a torque wrench, and a wire brush for the hub face. Work from a service manual for the E84 chassis, because forum guides often describe other BMW X1 generations with different rear hardware. Before you pull the caliper bracket, make sure the parking brake is fully released, and check the parking brake shoe clearance once the old rotor is off, as owners on user forums warn that a stuck shoe can make the old rotor hard to remove. Clean the hub face thoroughly and confirm the new rotor sits flat before reassembly.
