Brake Review: Hawk HPS 5.0

[JD S4]

Had these for about 4 months now. Just saw another post on brake reviews and it reminded me to post my review.

Overall: not thrilled. The loss in initial bite compared to stock is drastic and almost dramatic. After leaving the shop - I could have almost got in a wreck cause I started stopping too late (my fault, I knew this was coming).
Dusting: better than OEM but not even close to zero. I still get a fair amount of dusting on my front wheels. I wash my car ~2x per week and I've also got noticable dust on front wheels.
Performance: "fine" but not awesome. It's suitable but nothing remarkable.

I purchased these based on some strong recommendations on Audizine and in heinsight, I wish I would have tried the Akebono's instead since I still lose a lot of the initial bite of the OEM pads but as I've read, almost zero dusting.

Overall: fine, not great. Dusting is better, not perfect, performance is good not great and the initial bite (as with most of the similar pads) is noticeable for the first ~ week of driving after going away from OEM's.

Grade: B-

[Pyromatic177]

I want a pad that bites hard and performs well but has no dust. Best of both don't seem quite possibly

[SDV325]

Sadly that's the trade off dust and bite go hand in hand. My stoptechs are along about the same description, no wear near the same bite as OEM (which i actually prefer). These pads were next on my list to try but might have to say screw it and go back to the OEM pads (for the front anyways)

I had a new C300 Merc as a rental for a week, insanely grabby brakes as well. First drive back in the S4, nearly crashed a couple times adjusting to the brake differences.

[MrFunk]

For what it's worth - I decided to try out Hawk Performance Ceramic pads on my S2000.
Now - I also upgraded my lines to SS lines as well as my rotors to Stoptech disks. Plus I installed a master brake cylinder brace to eliminate deflection... The initial bite and overall stopping performance and pedal feel is remarkable now. I'm sure it's not all pad but given those pads are part of the equation I'm quite happy with them.

They dust I'd say 25% compared to whatever pads were on the car before. I wish they dusted less.

I used to run Akebono pads on my S4 - 0 dust but as mentioned very reduced initial bite until you got some good heat in them which is hard to do during the winter or in just regular driving. In the Cold wet winter they really were scary with 0 initial bite.
I have since changed them out to EBC RedStuff pads. They are also virtually 0 on dust but have a much much better initial bite. I'm only running them on the front on my S4 and still have the Akebonos on the rear and will swap over to them when I need new pads on the rear. I'll keep running them on the front. You may want to try those...

I may switch over to those pads on my S2000 as well when the time comes for new.

[JD S4]

For what it's worth - I decided to try out Hawk Performance Ceramic pads on my S2000.
Now - I also upgraded my lines to SS lines as well as my rotors to Stoptech disks. Plus I installed a master brake cylinder brace to eliminate deflection... The initial bite and overall stopping performance and pedal feel is remarkable now. I'm sure it's not all pad but given those pads are part of the equation I'm quite happy with them.

They dust I'd say 25% compared to whatever pads were on the car before. I wish they dusted less.

I used to run Akebono pads on my S4 - 0 dust but as mentioned very reduced initial bite until you got some good heat in them which is hard to do during the winter or in just regular driving. In the Cold wet winter they really were scary with 0 initial bite.
I have since changed them out to EBC RedStuff pads. They are also virtually 0 on dust but have a much much better initial bite. I'm only running them on the front on my S4 and still have the Akebonos on the rear and will swap over to them when I need new pads on the rear. I'll keep running them on the front. You may want to try those...

I may switch over to those pads on my S2000 as well when the time comes for new.

Hoping the Red Stuff is a good trade off..

One thing I failed to mention - I initially did brakes to get rid of the squealing from the OEMs at cold.. That is gone with the Hawk 5.0s

[chilort]

The problem I've found with the 5.0 pad is that they don't work very well cold. Luckily, that hasn't been that big of a deal where I live. But I've visited family further north and on a cold, wet morning I had some serious pucker coming into my first red stoplight. I like them better than Hawk HPS once they're warmed up a bit.

[lopott]

I am in Wisconsin and have had good results with the hawk pads and ecs rotors. I also did ecs stainless lines, so maybe that was the money in the upgrade. but overall happy and less dust

[theweebabyseamus]

Thanks for this 3 days after I ordered these pads. Lol

[BKE]

I have the hawk 5.0’s as well. I hated them for the first 100 +/- miles, re-bed and loved them since. They do not have the initial bite as oem but have a very linear, and predictable, increase in bite. Better than most, and the dusting is lower.

[JD S4]

Thanks for this 3 days after I ordered these pads. Lol

Sorry homie! I thought you were selling the car after the nut blasting incident?

They aren’t bad. Just not amazing. B- isn’t awful. Just no A+


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[JD S4]

I am in Wisconsin and have had good results with the hawk pads and ecs rotors. I also did ecs stainless lines, so maybe that was the money in the upgrade. but overall happy and less dust

I’m probably the same. A lot less dust than OEM. Brake performance is fine. Doesn’t put your face through the windshield but work well at high speeds.


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[Strong Man]

The problem I've found with the 5.0 pad is that they don't work very well cold.

They do not have the initial bite as oem

Guys , you would not need to find it . Just look at the specification http://www.hawkperformance.com/stree...nd-application : optimal temp range 100°- 550°.
It's obvious that they will not work well when they cold.

have a very linear, and predictable, increase in bite. Better than most, and the dusting is lower.

+100

[Strong Man]

I purchased these based on some strong recommendations on Audizine and in heinsight,

People recommend Hawk HPS 5.0 because they have really good performance for everyday driving and you can use them for autocross events, BUT !!!! if you really want to get max performance from them you need to have proper (I mean good) rotors with SS lines and brake fluid(example Motul RBF600). As well , you need to follow a bleeding process to make pads works with max performance.

[fmzip]

I had the Hawks on my BMW...ditto on the dust and they eat rotors

Akeebono's just installed on the S4. I will take the less dust all day every day. I don't drive like a madman so they seem perfectly suitable to me

[s42014DSG]

I had the Hawks on my BMW...

Akeebono's just installed on the S4. I will take the less dust all day every day. I don't drive like a madman so they seem perfectly suitable to me

I absolutely drive like a madman, so strong pads / good bite please! 😂😋

[fmzip]

I absolutely drive like a madman, so strong pads / good bite please! 😂😋

It's useful for people to know you're driving habits/age for decisions like this. I'd want the same as you posted in my 30's, different story in my early 50's. Dustless pads didn't exist back then for me though ;)

[RWD2quattro]

Not sure but I didn’t see you mention bedding in pads? That’s a must with any new pads whether stock or aftermarket.
My .02 cents

[chilort]

Guys , you would not need to find it . Just look at the specification http://www.hawkperformance.com/stree...nd-application : optimal temp range 100°- 550°.
It's obvious that they will not work well when they cold.

Lots of pads give 100 as the starting point for their temp range. I think the 5.0 is just a bit more serious about this specification.

[steampunkjunker]

Cold bite is next to worthless. The stock pads have this and nothing else, plus dust, plus squeal, and lack a high frictional coefficient at any reasonable temperature.

The magic unicorn pad is the a Endless MX-72. you get them for nearly half price from Nengun in Japan. But my guess is most people looking at Hawk or StopTech wouldn’t pay the premium for these pads.

Do Endless MX-72 pads, good fluid such Endless RF-650 or even Ate, TyrolSport Solid front caliper bushings, braided steel brake lines, and StopTech (solid or slotted) rotors - I did cryo on the front and you’re going to have the best brakes possible with stock calipers. These pads will grab fine with the first stop yet still have modulation for positioning in parking spots, low dust, no squeal, and face ripping frictional coefficient when hot, plus excellent pad and rotor wear. A+ Much better upgrade than a tune...


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[Strong Man]

Cold bite is next to worthless. The stock pads have this and nothing else, plus noise, plus squeal, and lack a high frictional coefficient at any reasonable temperature.

The magic unicorn pad is the a Endless MX-72. you get them for nearly half price from Nengun in Japan. But my guess is most people looking at Hawk or StopTech wouldn’t pay the premium for these pads.

Do Endless MX-72 pads, good fluid such Endless RF-650 or even Ate, TyrolSport Solid front caliper bushings, braided steel brake lines, and StopTech (solid or slotted) rotors - I did cryo on the front and you’re going to have the best brakes possible with stock calipers. These pads will grab fine with the first stop yet still have modulation for positioning in parking spots, low dust, no squeal, and face ripping frictional coefficient when hot, plus excellent pad and rotor wear. A+ Much better upgrade than a tune...


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You've just repeated exactly what I told a few posts before.

[steampunkjunker]

You've just repeated exactly what I told a few posts before.

The Truth! The TyrolSport caliper bushings are just as good as they were on my MkV GTI. The smooth and even pad and rotor wear I think is from these... plus better pedal feel. ;)

[JD S4]

Not sure but I didn’t see you mention bedding in pads? That’s a must with any new pads whether stock or aftermarket.
My .02 cents

I bedded mine. Should have mentioned


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[2013S4]

The first day with the hawk pads are a big difference. But once bedded, I really like the more linear braking and my wheels stay much cleaner.

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[JeriQo]

scheming this thread, i guess its safe to say stick with OEMs

[Vogz]

Had these for about 4 months now. Just saw another post on brake reviews and it reminded me to post my review.

Overall: not thrilled. The loss in initial bite compared to stock is drastic and almost dramatic. After leaving the shop - I could have almost got in a wreck cause I started stopping too late (my fault, I knew this was coming).
Dusting: better than OEM but not even close to zero. I still get a fair amount of dusting on my front wheels. I wash my car ~2x per week and I've also got noticable dust on front wheels.
Performance: "fine" but not awesome. It's suitable but nothing remarkable.

I purchased these based on some strong recommendations on Audizine and in heinsight, I wish I would have tried the Akebono's instead since I still lose a lot of the initial bite of the OEM pads but as I've read, almost zero dusting.

Overall: fine, not great. Dusting is better, not perfect, performance is good not great and the initial bite (as with most of the similar pads) is noticeable for the first ~ week of driving after going away from OEM's.

Grade: B-

I've had a completely opposite experience. Obviously the bite was far worse than OEM when they were bedding in, but it improved dramatically after a couple hundred miles. Still a little less than OEM, but I like that because IMO the OEM pads have far too much initial bite and aren't linear at all.

I have no problems with cold stopping performance and they dust far less than OEM. It helps to mention what rotors you run. If you are running a slotted rotor, that will cause far more dusting. I'm running OEM spec Zimmerman rotors. The other massive benefit over OEM is that the HPS 5.0s are SILENT.

The really moneymaker though is their performance during repeated high speed stops. I've seen no fade at all slowing from nearly 150mph during a 1/2 mile airstrip event. That was not the case with OEMs.

You say performance is "fine". How hard do you drive and do you do any drag racing or road course laps? To truly speak on the performance of these pads, it's probably good to have done a good amount of high speed or repeated stops.

Sounds like the Akebono Ceramics would have been a better idea for your driving style.

- - - Updated - - -

scheming this thread, i guess its safe to say stick with OEMs

That's what you got from this?? lol

[JeriQo]

That's what you got from this?? lol

theres alot of mixed opinions.

[amusante]

I've had a completely opposite experience. Obviously the bite was far worse than OEM when they were bedding in, but it improved dramatically after a couple hundred miles. Still a little less than OEM, but I like that because IMO the OEM pads have far too much initial bite and aren't linear at all.

I have no problems with cold stopping performance and they dust far less than OEM. It helps to mention what rotors you run. If you are running a slotted rotor, that will cause far more dusting. I'm running OEM spec Zimmerman rotors. The other massive benefit over OEM is that the HPS 5.0s are SILENT.

The really moneymaker though is their performance during repeated high speed stops. I've seen no fade at all slowing from nearly 150mph during a 1/2 mile airstrip event. That was not the case with OEMs.

You say performance is "fine". How hard do you drive and do you do any drag racing or road course laps? To truly speak on the performance of these pads, it's probably good to have done a good amount of high speed or repeated stops.

Sounds like the Akebono Ceramics would have been a better idea for your driving style.

I can pretty much echo everything said in here. I love my HPS 5.0 pads over stock. Way less dust, linear braking, and I felt improved performance.

[MSq5]

I have the hawk 5.0’s as well. I hated them for the first 100 +/- miles, re-bed and loved them since. They do not have the initial bite as oem but have a very linear, and predictable, increase in bite. Better than most, and the dusting is lower.

My Q5 is too new for pad replacement, but I've used Hawk HPS pads on several other applications and really like them.

One of the things I disliked about OEM pads on those other applications (all performance cars) was that the initial "bite" was misleading because too much braking force was at the beginning and the remaining force was not linear.

HPS pads provide a very progressive, linear increase in stopping power as you increase pressure, directly in proportion to the amount of force applied. This may take a few miles to acclimate to the linear braking force, but it is much better to know that pedal pressure increase means something predictable and repeatable. They also don't fade as much in repeated high speed braking.

The added bonus is less dust. I don't buy them for the lower dust. I get them because I think performance oriented cars need linear brakes and less fade.

[Vogz]

theres alot of mixed opinions.

True, but absolutely no one is recommending the OEM pads.

If you beat on your brakes at all, buy the HPS 5.0s. If you don't buy Akebono Ceramics.

[Vogz]

My Q5 is too new for pad replacement, but I've use Hawk HPS pads on several other applications and really like them.

One of the things I disliked about OEM pads on those other applications (all performance cars) was that the initial "bite" was misleading because too much braking force was at the beginning and the remaining force was not linear.

HPS pads provide a very progressive, linear increase in stopping power as you increase pressure, directly in proportion to the amount of force applied. This may take a few miles to acclimate to the linear braking force, but it is much better to know that pedal pressure increase means something predictable and repeatable. They also don't fade as much in repeated high speed braking.

The added bonus is less dust. I don't buy them for the lower dust. I get them because I think performance oriented cars need linear brakes and less fade.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[JD S4]

I can pretty much echo everything said in here. I love my HPS 5.0 pads over stock. Way less dust, linear braking, and I felt improved performance.

This is probably an accurate assumption.

"Less" dust (not zero), improved performance/linear braking and less squeaks..

[steampunkjunker]

One of the things I disliked about OEM pads on those other applications (all performance cars) was that the initial "bite" was misleading because too much braking force was at the beginning and the remaining force was not linear.

Exactly. People in these threads keep acting like “cold bite”is a good thing. Stock pads are totally bipolar at very low speeds like when parking. They are nearly impossible to modulate. And then they have no bite when slowing down from faster speeds. And they squeal and dust like crazy to add insult to injury. No thanks!


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[Whitee]

Cold bite is next to worthless. The stock pads have this and nothing else, plus noise, plus squeal, and lack a high frictional coefficient at any reasonable temperature.

The magic unicorn pad is the a Endless MX-72. you get them for nearly half price from Nengun in Japan. But my guess is most people looking at Hawk or StopTech wouldn’t pay the premium for these pads.

Do Endless MX-72 pads, good fluid such Endless RF-650 or even Ate, TyrolSport Solid front caliper bushings, braided steel brake lines, and StopTech (solid or slotted) rotors - I did cryo on the front and you’re going to have the best brakes possible with stock calipers. These pads will grab fine with the first stop yet still have modulation for positioning in parking spots, low dust, no squeal, and face ripping frictional coefficient when hot, plus excellent pad and rotor wear. A+ Much better upgrade than a tune...


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Their website only shows them for the TT RS?


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[steampunkjunker]

Their website only shows them for the TT RS?


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Check EndlessUSA under MX-72 and click the euro applications button and get the front and rear part number.

Then you just ask Nengun for the price and they will post it to the website. You can just buy from there but confirm the front and rear EIP part numbers look okay.

GMG uses those on all of their customers 911... and they used an Endless race compound on their ALMS cars.


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[steampunkjunker]

Check EndlessUSA under MX-72 and click the euro applications button and get the front and rear part number.

Then you just ask Nengun for the price and they will post it to the website. You can just buy from there but confirm the front and rear EIP part numbers look okay.

GMG uses those on all of the 911 Cup cars... and they used an Endless race compound on their ALMS cars.


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[steampunkjunker]

Check EndlessUSA under MX-72 and click the euro applications button and get the front and rear part number.

Then you just ask Nengun for the price and they will post it to the website. You can just buy from there but confirm the front and rear EIP part numbers look okay.

GMG uses those on all of their customers 911... and they used an Endless race compound on their ALMS cars.

https://youtu.be/QGhZVGDGh6c

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[ReDeViL]

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quick qns, are these pads in any way "grabby"?
thats what i hated with regards to the stock pads.

[Vogz]

Check EndlessUSA under MX-72 and click the euro applications button and get the front and rear part number.

Then you just ask Nengun for the price and they will post it to the website. You can just buy from there but confirm the front and rear EIP part numbers look okay.

GMG uses those on all of their customers 911... and they used an Endless race compound on their ALMS cars.


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I'm going with the Endless pads on my 996 Turbo when I need brakes.

[steampunkjunker]

I'm going with the Endless pads on my 996 Turbo when I need brakes.

There’s also an MXRS compound which is basically an MX-72 with a little additional high temp stability - slightly more track friendly. I couldn’t get Nengun to order my pads in that compound because it’s probably a custom pour but just FYI. There’s also an awesome endurance pad that everyone uses at the 24h of Nurburgring (MA45?) but I think something like that would be the same situation and more expensive. I’ll start another thread on these sometime and not clutter this thread, but the whole reason I switched out Hawk HPS back in the day in my GTI was because I was barely able to stop with my foot in the floor coming up on an accident on the 5 at night in SoCal. I’d never sacrifice anything with regards to braking capabilities... especially when no one will allow a safety cushion anymore and all of the lane changes without indicators etc. For me it’s brakes then suspension then power last... especially with a 4000 pound car.


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[steampunkjunker]

quick qns, are these pads in any way "grabby"?
thats what i hated with regards to the stock pads.

They are relatively high mu (frictional coefficient) once warm for such a heavy vehicle and cold they stop stockish but without the gum eraser grabbiness.

The complete lack of slow, cold modulation was a deal breaker for me with OEM pads. I could barely inch my car forward in my parking spot and was always concerned I’d end up bumping into something. The stock pads must be set up to be compatible with Canadian and Nordic winters or something.


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