Best pad for low brake dust and stock like stopping power?

[p3u]

I currently use Hawk Ceramic pads, which are awesome in the sense they make almost no brake dust, however the stopping power is much worse than stock pads. Is there a pad that's the best of both worlds?

Thanks!

[Slow4]

Look into akebono ceramics; used them on my B5 multiple times until I tried out the hawks for my current B6.

I'll be switching back pretty soon.

[BCsniper]

yup, pretty sure lots on here will agree with the Akebono Ceramics


they are very close to stock feel, with dust that is practically unnoticeable.

[Crusty128]

any noise at low speed braking ?

[QIKRNU]

Not for me. Akebono Euro FTW

[32spoke]

Jurid, a European OE supplier for brake friction, just released a line of brake pads that may interest you.

http://www.jurid-white.com/en/innovations.html

[rulaxin12]

I ran zimmerman drilled on my b6 and akebono pads on front and back. I did the fronts first and immediately noticed the difference in brake dust from front to back.

[SilverThing]

I have the Akebonos on my B7 A4 with Zimmerman plain rotors - while they are extremely low dusting, they do not have the initial bite of the OEM pads (at least on the A4). Need to apply much more pedal pressure to get the same stopping distance as OEM. Very linear feel, no "grabbing", no squeaking, just not the same initial bite as OEM. I think I like 'em (love the low dust), my wife & daughter are very happy, but I'm still getting used to them.

[dparm]

Why not just use the stock pads? You could use some wheel wax or just spray the wheels with the hose more frequently to keep them looking clean.

[Nillamb]

I have the Akebonos on my B7 A4 with Zimmerman plain rotors - while they are extremely low dusting, they do not have the initial bite of the OEM pads (at least on the A4). Need to apply much more pedal pressure to get the same stopping distance as OEM. Very linear feel, no "grabbing", no squeaking, just not the same initial bite as OEM. I think I like 'em (love the low dust), my wife & daughter are very happy, but I'm still getting used to them.

+1

Used them on my S4 for months. Almost zero dust but needed significantly more pressure for the same retardation as oem pads. I also had "ugly" (uneven) marks on my discs. I posted a question about it here, I seem to recall a couple folks said it was normal for them.

I also got contradictory advice for bedding in - JHM said to go the "hard stops" way and Akebono said to go the "drive gently for 500 miles way". I went with JHM (I had their LW rotors)

[Tropicgreena4]

Look into akebono ceramics;

^^^This...

yup, pretty sure lots on here will agree with the Akebono Ceramics


they are very close to stock feel, with dust that is practically unnoticeable.

^^^This...

any noise at low speed braking ?

nope... I have been running them on my b6 for a few months now, and I couldn't be happier with them.

[p3u]

+1

Used them on my S4 for months. Almost zero dust but needed significantly more pressure for the same retardation as oem pads. I also had "ugly" (uneven) marks on my discs. I posted a question about it here, I seem to recall a couple folks said it was normal for them.

I also got contradictory advice for bedding in - JHM said to go the "hard stops" way and Akebono said to go the "drive gently for 500 miles way". I went with JHM (I had their LW rotors)

That's exactly how my hawk pads are and am trying to avoid. With that being said what's another good pad option, non ceramic, same requirements as I originally mentioned.

[BCsniper]

...well non-ceramic and low dust often can't be had together. In the end it's all a compromise between performance, noise, and dust.

[Tropicgreena4]

That's exactly how my hawk pads are and am trying to avoid. With that being said what's another good pad option, non ceramic, same requirements as I originally mentioned.

just go with the Akibono pads... you won't regret it... a lot of people say there is less initial bite than OEM, but to me they seem to have more initial bite than OEM. When they're cold, there is less bite, but once there's some heat in them, they grab pretty good.

[p3u]

just go with the Akibono pads... you won't regret it... a lot of people say there is less initial bite than OEM, but to me they seem to have more initial bite than OEM. When they're cold, there is less bite, but once there's some heat in them, they grab pretty good.

You're missing the point of my post. I don't want pads with those characteristics. My Hawk Ceramic pads are exactly the same, so there is no point replacing them with a similar product.

[dparm]

By definition, you can't have the best of both worlds. Brakes that stop well are noisy and dusty. Brakes that do not stop well produce less dust and are quieter. This is why I advocate just sticking with stock pads, as it's a good compromise.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

You're missing the point of my post. I don't want pads with those characteristics. My Hawk Ceramic pads are exactly the same, so there is no point replacing them with a similar product.

You wont find a pad that is the best of both worlds. You have to accept that either you have good initial bite and some dusting or little to low dust and weaker initial bite.

Jason

[Slow4]

just go with the Akibono pads... you won't regret it... a lot of people say there is less initial bite than OEM, but to me they seem to have more initial bite than OEM. When they're cold, there is less bite, but once there's some heat in them, they grab pretty good.

agree.

[audi49]

Have the Akebono's on my B5 A4. For me also the dusting is very low, but the initial bite of OEM pads is not there. Having said that i never felt that the stopping power of the Akebonos was lacking, it is that that initial bite is not there. I've only had stock on my S4... so dont have a comparison in it.
I've read from other posts that the Hawk street pads may be a good compromise... some dust but like stock bite?
Good luck.

[dparm]

Have the Akebono's on my B5 A4. For me also the dusting is very low, but the initial bite of OEM pads is not there. Having said that i never felt that the stopping power of the Akebonos was lacking, it is that that initial bite is not there. I've only had stock on my S4... so dont have a comparison in it.
I've read from other posts that the Hawk street pads may be a good compromise... some dust but like stock bite?
Good luck.

OP has the Hawk Ceramic, which is their DD/street pad.

[1SICRS4]

I've had a good experience with stoptech pads and they actually make replacements for the S4 that are pretty reasonably priced http://www.buybrakes.com/p-642-stopt...rake-pads.aspx

[Tropicgreena4]

You're missing the point of my post. I don't want pads with those characteristics. My Hawk Ceramic pads are exactly the same, so there is no point replacing them with a similar product.

why come in here asking for advice when you're not willing to listen to advice?? according to your original post, your Hawk Ceramics have less stopping power than stock... I'm telling you, that in my experience with the Akibonos, there is NOT less stopping power than stock, but exactly the opposite when they warm up...

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

You wont find a pad that is the best of both worlds. You have to accept that either you have good initial bite and some dusting or little to low dust and weaker initial bite.

Jason

This...

[dparm]

I've had a good experience with stoptech pads and they actually make replacements for the S4 that are pretty reasonably priced http://www.buybrakes.com/p-642-stopt...rake-pads.aspx

I ran the Street Performance pads for a month. They did not bite or stop as well as the stock pads on the street, even after re-bedding and re-flushing the fluid, so I removed them. Just my two cents.

[mic_detonator]

Anyone ever tried ebc? I have always been a fan of the HH pads for my 2wheeled beasts. I can't wait to try yellow or red stuff pads.

[dparm]

Anyone ever tried ebc? I have always been a fan of the HH pads for my 2wheeled beasts. I can't wait to try yellow or red stuff pads.

They make a pretty wide range of pads. Here's an approximation of what each is like:

[p3u]

You wont find a pad that is the best of both worlds. You have to accept that either you have good initial bite and some dusting or little to low dust and weaker initial bite.

Jason

I can accept that. Guess stock pads it is!

[FastEddie]

i just ordered ceramic pads thinking they were better than stockers. How much of difference is there in the initial bite? im also upgrading entire braking system though (Cayenne BBK)

[dparm]

i just ordered ceramic pads thinking they were better than stockers. How much of difference is there in the initial bite? im also upgrading entire braking system though (Cayenne BBK)

It will be noticeable, but not unsafe if you drive defensively.

[Slow4]

i just ordered ceramic pads thinking they were better than stockers. How much of difference is there in the initial bite? im also upgrading entire braking system though (Cayenne BBK)

Let them warm up; cold breaking sucks. Otherwise you might need to apply a little more pressure to them but its nothing drastic like "slamming on the brakes" to get stopping power.

[sea_shackF1]

I like a lot of bite in my brakes and I don't want any less initial bite than stock have. They are great when cold, but once warmed up don't have enough for me.
I have ruled out ceramic because of this. I want less dust, but will not compromise bite for it as you can't have your cake and eat it too as previously stated. That said many companies 'advertise' their pads as more power than stock and less dust, rotor wear, noise and fade. So I guess it then comes down to real world experience by users.

I don't want race pads either and would like to find the best overall compromise, which it seems OP is also after.
Does anyone have experience with any of the following on a B6/7 S4?
EBC RedStuff
StopTech Centric Posi-Quiet Semi-Metallic
StopTech Street Performance Brake Friction

Jason - ECS sells EBC Red and Yellow, what is your experience opinion of them?

[dparm]

I like a lot of bite in my brakes and I don't want any less initial bite than stock have. They are great when cold, but once warmed up don't have enough for me.
I have ruled out ceramic because of this. I want less dust, but will not compromise bite for it as you can't have your cake and eat it too as previously stated. That said many companies 'advertise' their pads as more power than stock and less dust, rotor wear, noise and fade. So I guess it then comes down to real world experience by users.

I don't want race pads either and would like to find the best overall compromise, which it seems OP is also after.
Does anyone have experience with any of the following on a B6/7 S4?
EBC RedStuff
StopTech Centric Posi-Quiet Semi-Metallic
StopTech Street Performance Brake Friction

Jason - ECS sells EBC Red and Yellow, what is your experience opinion of them?

Semi-metallic is noisy as fuck and dusts like crazy. Those don't belong on an S4.

StopTech Street Performance don't bite like stock. I removed them very shortly after installing them. Massive disappointment. Perhaps they work better for track use.

EBC Yellow dusts a lot, per the graph I posted above. And if you go to EBC's website, you will see that the Red pads have ceramic compounds.


Can you please elaborate on your comment about stock pads not working well enough when warm? How warm are we talking? Are you tracking the car with those? Are you making panic stops from 100mph multiple times in a row? You either get cold stopping power, or hot stopping power. You cannot have both. I suggest you stick with the stock pads which are fine for street driving.

[sea_shackF1]

Thanks dparm, I checked EBC and Stop Techs websites and that's why I said they 'advertise' best of both worlds.... better power, less dust... etc. That's also why I asked for actual experience with them like yours with StopTech street.
EBC RedStuff seem to have ceramic in them for it's benefits but not be full ceramic. A mix for the best of both worlds. From EBC's website for RedStuff"This material is a Kevlar® fibre based brake compound enhanced with ceramic particles. If you have previously tried EBC redstuff (pre-ceramic compound) this material is light years ahead. It lasts longer, it brakes better and is quieter."

When stone cold my brakes are very grabby, maybe too much for some. When they are warmed up around town they have less initial grab but are consistent. Under hard braking where they are warm enough so you smell them, like at the track, they just fade. But I know no street pad will handle those conditions. Multiple panic stops are not something that really occur in normal street driving (if it does it's so infrequent) no sense in trying to get a pad for that. If that was important then I'd just use a track pad. In an emergency situation the stock pads are more than adequate.

I guess at this point I'm more after a certain feel with the best low dust, wear, fade etc....compromise I can get. I like a pretty hard pedal with not too much travel, these cars have fairly long pedal travel. In the end stock may be the best overall street option for these cars like you said. Just interested to see if anyone has found one that fits the characteristics I want. Thanks for your input

[dparm]

Consistency is a good thing. You want linear response from a braking pedal.

Only other pad I can speak to is the Ferodo DS2500. Extremely linear response even when heated up at the track, but the first few stops on a winter morning were always so-so. They also made a horrible grinding noise when cold, and squealed even if they were warm. They're more of a streetable track pad. When I was bedding them in (with my new DBA 4000 wiper slot rotors), I was able to get the discs to glow but the pads were not showing any signs of fade, FWIW.

[sea_shackF1]

speaking of rotors.... Not trying to thread jack as they can make a big difference on feel also. I think most here are talking about stock rotors. I would love to upgrade everything, but can't spend big money on that stuff anymore so 'upgrades' for me are mostly at time of replacement and have to make $$ sense.

As for rotors the general consensus is slots for performance (cleans rotor, expels gas and is what race cars use), cross drilled for show and minimal performance and dimples for nothing but show and uselss. What I don't understand is If cross drilled is more for show then why do some no compromise cars have them only. The new Ferrari LaFerrari and 458 Speciale, Porsche 918 and 911 GT3, Pagani’s, Bugatti, Lamborghini Veneno among others. Even the OEM RS4, which can be a BBK for the S4, has cross drilled rotors.
Can anyone explain why so many top performance cars use them as OEM if they are more for show and slots give better performance?

[dparm]

Can anyone explain why so many top performance cars use them as OEM if they are more for show and slots give better performance?

Drilled are not necessarily bad. It's all about the application and intended use.

http://www.zeckhausen.com/How_to_sel...ake_rotors.htm

[sea_shackF1]

thanks dparm, great link. Now that makes sense. Ferrari, Pagani, et al usually don't use stuff like that for no reason. I'm glad they specifically mention the 'for looks only' part is false. That's probably the most concise and clearest explanation of the different rotor types I've seen.

This shows rotors can increase initial bite. I wonder if drilled or slotted rotors with ceramic pads would help negate the lack of initial bit ceramics seem to have while getting all the benefits of them.