I need to replace my brake pads.
Should I replace to originals? If not, which ones would you suggest at the same price level (or a little bit more expensive).

 

There is alot to pick from in aftermarket pads.

Are you looking for less dust?

Do you plan to do any HPDE, or autoX?

What didn't you care for on your stock pads, if anything?

Alex

 

What I will look for:
1. Less dust (black one).
2. More braking power.
3. Same price as originals, maybe a little bit more.

No HPDE or autoX.

 

Based on your prioroties above, there are 2 choices I'd consider from Hawk

Performance Ceramic - Lower dust is its main advantage

HPS - less dust than stock, and more stopping power than Performance Ceramic

Your OEM pads have alot of stopping power, and as a result make alot of dust. These 2 options will offer a trade off/ or balance of brake power vs
less/lighter colored dust.

Alex

 

Alex,

Based on those recommendations, what rotors would you match up with those?

Could the same rotors be used for track days (e.g. keep the daily driver pads on, swap track pads on for track day, then switch back to daily driver pads)?

 

Here's my 2 cents from an 07 S....I have been going though this for a while. I went with the HPS and thought they were really good - at first. A lot less dust. Good modulation. However, they have a bit less stopping power than the stock pads - it's noticable though. I tried them on the track. I know, they are not a race pad but this was a novice HPDE and I thought they could take it. While their performance was good (no really fade or glazing) the lack of stopping power was really noticable. I have since tried the Hawk HP+ and Carboteck XP 10s and like both of them - but these are both track oriented. And both will be dusty and noisy, but if you can ignore that, they are very drivable on the street. I will probably go back to the stock pads for the street because they feel more like the track pads (less re-learning how to brake), but without the noise. Everyone I have talked to and threads I have read say that unless you are way up in the advanced drivers on the track, the stock rotors or slotted replacements are fine for both street and track. Stay away from cross drilled for the track - they crack...Here is a great thread on this subject
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3074084

 

hmmm....

I've run OEM pads without exception, and AutoX a lot but do NOT track the car. The OEM pads stop very well, have good initial bite, and are well matched to the rotors (I generally get 2 sets of pads to a set of rotors).

But as you say they are dirty birds aren't they.

So I got a good bottle of wheel cleaner, and a rag supply, and lived with it.

YMMV...

Cheers,

Charlie

 

IMO, a good replacement OEM street pad is the Carbo Tech Bobcats 1521s. A lot less dust also!

 

How are the Bobcats for feel and bite compared to the stock pads? I understand the Carbotechs are easier on the rotors too. I understand some pads are not compatable with others. Don't put Carbotechs on the same rotors as Hawks but they are good with the stock pads. Any thoughts?

 

I'd do Crytostop if you want full face, and DBA 4000 if you prefer slotted.

HPS for a street pad, HP+ for a track pad - Hawk 9012 Blue if you need more power on the track.

Back to the HPS to drive home, and stop at the pressure wash to clean the cars and wheels off after the track event, of course once they are cool.

Alex

 

Ahhh, just drive the HP+ home and wait til you're rested to change them. The "+" has a nice squeal that will keep you awake on the way home. Otherwise, I found them to be very street-driving friendly.

 

I have been running the mintex red box pads and I think they are a great upgrade from oem. Less dust, better feel and a cheap price point. Hard to hate them!

 

The Bobcats are much better, IMO. They don't grab like the OEM pads did. Much better modulation.

 

+1.

And if you switch to carbotech XP10's or XP8's for the track (I think we were talking about this in another thread), the base pad material is similar enough that you don't have to scrub the rotor clean; you can go back and forth from Bobcats to XP's without worrying about getting the old pad compound off and the new one on the rotors.

 

Its your wheels, your peroggative..

Alex

 

On Alex' recommendation I purchased the Hawk Performance Ceramic pads with Centric Premium rotors and had them installed. The pads feel as if they are bars of soap. Trying to stop is scary. Alex said that the modulation would be improved with these pads but there is no modulation, just full on or off. Has anyone else had this experience? I'm assuming that once they are bedded-in they will exhibit the performance that I expected.

I can't imagine how the installation can be at fault.

Any suggestions?

 

"bars of soap"???? Don't understand. Do they grab or have a "lot of intial bite"? Some pad take a light touch; other feel like you need both feet to get them to do anything. Which are you?

 

Lets re-cap here.

Ceramics are nice and firm feeling, but lacking initail bite.

HPS is easier to modulate and has more brake power.

Take my offer on a discount on HPS - you'll be happier with them.

Alex