Brake Parts Recommendation - Rotors and Pads

[SDF1]

Hello Everyone,

I had OEM Discs and Pads that were replaced with Zimmerman Discs and Hawk HPS Pads 3 years ago and it's time to replace them.

OEM Discs and Pads were AMAZING but lots of dust and it felt like the initial bite was much more abrupt than higher speed braking.
Zimmerman Discs and Hawk HPS pads are down right DANGEROUS when the temperature is below -30C/-22C as there is ZERO braking till they warm up and if you are on a long drive on the highway you would need to touch the brakes once in a while to heat the pads up. Other than that the Zimmerman Discs would rust very quickly when I don't drive the car.

So I'm looking for coated discs? and something closer to the OEM Pads. I've been told Textar is the OEM Brand, if so I'm going to get this set https://www.ecstuning.com/b-textar-p...8k0698151ekt1/
In terms of Rotors/Discs I'm looking at 3 options.

Brembo https://www.ecstuning.com/b-brembo-p...0615301a~brkt/
ECS V4 https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...5997ecs0616kt/
Zimmerman https://www.ecstuning.com/b-zimmerma...8k0998301akt3/

[Audibot]

brakeperformance.com is having an August sale (30% off). You may want to consider them. I've previously purchased my first set of brakes for my B7 from them and they were great. Come coated as well. I had the Hawk HPS pads, but of course, it is not nearly as cold down here. I just purchased an S6 kit for my A6 conversion but have not installed yet.

I've heard great things about Wearever Gold pads, but cannot comment on temperatures that low. A quality semi-metallic probably will do wonders for cold bite.

[rcprato]

About 6 weeks ago I put Brembo HC rotors and Textar pads in the rear of my Avant and really like them. The front is OEM set up. I really like them but they do dust a fair amount but I’m ok with it because the performance is exactly what I want, good initial bite and linear feel all the way to stop from any speed.

[edyco]

Textar and ATE are OE suppliers of pads.
ATE, FAD (not available for aftermarket) are OE supplier of rotors on A4.
Zimmerman is strictly aftermarket company.


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[the-quattro-man]

I always like the initial bite from the semi-metallic pads over ceramic. As for rotors Brembo rotors always works the best for me.

[edyco]

I always like the initial bite from the semi-metallic pads over ceramic. As for rotors Brembo rotors always works the best for me.

Brembo is always for me first aftermarket option.


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[Spawne32]

brembo or hella pagid high carbon rotors from rockauto.com and any pads you so prefer

[edyco]

brembo or hella pagid high carbon rotors from rockauto.com and any pads you so prefer

Pagid was bought off by TMD two years ago (Textar is TMD pad brand). I would say Pagid is now being second tier pad in TMD line up.


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[rcprato]

The Textar pads are keeping my Brembo rotors looking like they just came off the lathe, important in NE with high humidity and tough winters we endure
FCPEuro.com is a good source for VAG parts, have a nice selection of Tier 1 OEM parts



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[the-quattro-man]

I have been using Brembo rotors for many years in all my cars with great success. I wouldn't use anything else.

+1 for FCPEuro and parts have warranty for life.

[edyco]

The Textar pads are keeping my Brembo rotors looking like they just came off the lathe, important in NE with high humidity and tough winters we endure
FCPEuro.com is a good source for VAG parts, have a nice selection of Tier 1 OEM parts



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Textar and ATE are way to go for pads. I give slight preference to ATE.


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[SDF1]

Thank you everyone.
I'm going to get textar pads as they are easy to source locally and cheap.
As for Rotors I found out that Brembo are not coated so they rust quickly in my snow/salt enviroment. So back to Zimmerman vs ATE vs Mylee

[JLAllroad]

I’ve done a number of cars with power stop and centric high carbon rotors, same company different model lines. For a low dust/noise daily that doesn’t grab at low speeds like the stockers I would use Akebono Euro pads. I have also used powerstop posiquiets.


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[rcprato]

Thank you everyone.
I'm going to get textar pads as they are easy to source locally and cheap.
As for Rotors I found out that Brembo are not coated so they rust quickly in my snow/salt enviroment. So back to Zimmerman vs ATE vs Mylee

My Brembo rotors are UV coated/painted with a really nice finish that holds up Rochester, NY winters that are very similar to Montreal. I have had both Zimmerman and Brembo and the coating on the Brembo is superior.

[edyco]

Thank you everyone.
I'm going to get textar pads as they are easy to source locally and cheap.
As for Rotors I found out that Brembo are not coated so they rust quickly in my snow/salt enviroment. So back to Zimmerman vs ATE vs Mylee

Brembo and ATE are in top tier.
Zimmerman is second tier.
Mayle is cheap German option. It is Budweiser of rotors. You buy it after you exhausted all other options.


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[Audibot]

Y'all still sleeping on Brake Performance...

[SDF1]

Life happened and I never got to this. Brake Pad Warning sign came on today.
So I did my research for price and quality.

I have two options for Rotors and Pads, let me know your thoughts.

1) Rotors. Brembo or PAGID
PAGID 355113932 - High Carbon Gray Cast Iron; Fully Coated
BREMBO 09A75811 - Premium UV Coated; Sold individually (+55$ More)

I've seen many people recommend PAGID as a good replacement for OEM. I don't want something that would warp in a few years but I also don't want to pay for only a brand name.

2) Pads. Textar or AKEBONO

Textar ES#2593802
or
AKEBONO EUR1322 & EUR1018A (Same Price)

From what I've read, Textar seems to be similar to OEM so amazing initial bite but lots of dust and Akebono seems to have less initial bite and less dust.


Which would you go for and why?

NOTE: This is a 2009 Audi A4 so I don't expect it to last more than 3 years MAX. No need to do anything more than essential and safety.

[rcprato]

Getting a High carbon rotors is the key to a good rotor, my Brembo rotors are holding up well.

Considering you are in Montreal you don't want a hard pad (less dust) because initial bite will be bad in the cold, the trade off is a pad that will dust like the OEM spec does for good initial bite and linear braking excluding overly aggressive braking in high heat conditions. I live with the dust of the Textar pad for the braking performance I want.

Textar has a new ePad material that I wanted to try but I couldn'y find in the US, maybe you can in Canada ? https://textar.com/usa/passenger-cars/textar-epad/

[ColdComfort]

Y'all still sleeping on Brake Performance...

Quoted for truth. Their brakes likely suck (no first hand experience) but their rotors are a steal and they offer corrosion coating in black or silver.

For brakes I used akebono for the front and rear. The bite is good, and they're keeping the wheels clean.

edit: call brake performance and they'll get you an even better deal than online. I got stock b8.5 a4 sizes; slotted, vented 320 mm fronts, solid slotted 300 mm rears, with black corrosion resistant coating for $235 shipped. They're made of Canadian G3000 steel, machined in CA. link

[SDF1]

I moved to Charlotte, NC
No more salt or freezing weather :)

Got the Textar because I want the initial bite as people drive crazy fast here (70-90MPH regular on the highway)
Didn't factor in the shipping for the rotors.
Brembo and Zimmerman are the same price now (ECS vs Rockauto) debating on either or just keeping my current Zimmerman rotors. They seem in good condition just some rust.

Quoted for truth. Their brakes likely suck (no first hand experience) but their rotors are a steal and they offer corrosion coating in black or silver.

For brakes I used akebono for the front and rear. The bite is good, and they're keeping the wheels clean.

edit: call brake performance and they'll get you an even better deal than online. I got stock b8.5 a4 sizes; slotted, vented 320 mm fronts, solid slotted 300 mm rears, with black corrosion resistant coating for $235 shipped. They're made of Canadian G3000 steel, machined in CA. link

I'm looking at 220$ Shipped for Brembo or Zimmerman. I'd rather go with those two options but which one...


Do you think I can do the brake job on my own? Never done it before.

[rcprato]

Brembo is an "OEM" supplier and Zimmerman is a "Quality After Market Supplier" so I would go with Brembo.

Watch a few YouTube videos on doing a brake job on a B8 A4 and see what your comfort level is......... You can't do the back without having a tool to hook into ECU and retract the EB so you can push caliper piston back.

If you don't have all the tools and good jack stands to support car a trip to Harbor Freight can get you hooked

[ColdComfort]

I'm looking at 220$ Shipped for Brembo or Zimmerman. I'd rather go with those two options but which one...


Do you think I can do the brake job on my own? Never done it before.

For fronts and rears combined? That's insane! My $235 was for both, and I thought it was a deal..

[SDF1]

For fronts and rears combined? That's insane! My $235 was for both, and I thought it was a deal..

ECS and Rockauto. No specials.

What is criminal is people want 400$ for installation here.... I wish I had all my tools.

[sjarvis]

I live in Colorado Springs at 7000 feet and it it can get pretty nippy here in the winter, but I'll admit -30 is pretty rare. I have Zimmerman/Akebono on my 20150 allroad, front and back, with SS lines. I've been very happy with the braking performance and zero dust as well. Never had any cold weather stopping challenges or concerns.

[SDF1]

I live in Colorado Springs at 7000 feet and it it can get pretty nippy here in the winter, but I'll admit -30 is pretty rare. I have Zimmerman/Akebono on my 20150 allroad, front and back, with SS lines. I've been very happy with the braking performance and zero dust as well. Never had any cold weather stopping challenges or concerns.

Never ever ever get Hawk HPS where you live. In Montreal anytime it hit under -20C (-4F) or lower then it was risky to drive. The initial bite out of the parking lot was ZERO and if your driving on the highway you should touch the brakes a few times or else they would freeze and you have no brakes.

[rcprato]

Never ever ever get Hawk HPS where you live. In Montreal anytime it hit under -20C (-4F) or lower then it was risky to drive. The initial bite out of the parking lot was ZERO and if your driving on the highway you should touch the brakes a few times or else they would freeze and you have no brakes.

Yes, I had the Hawk HPS on a Passat and pissed my pants a few times putting brakes on in cold weather with no reaction

[Jetta03]

I used both the hawk hps for street and the hawk hp+ on a Jetta I used to autox and they are very good pads. The hps are definitely a bit wooden feeling until after that first stop. Calling them dangerous (and I used them right through Alberta winters) is a bit of a stretch, but you will notice it. Brake pads don’t freeze up :). They always drag a bit and are always warm from friction.

Buy for your real world application folks, not everything labelled ‘performance’ will be best for YOUR application.

Cheers


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[harryn]

Wait what? I have used Akebono pads and Zimmerman rotors for years on my BMWs and never had a problem with them. How are you guys bedding the Akebono ceramic pads to the rotors? Not trying to dig on anyone, but I am curious why I am having different results than what you guys posted. I plan on going Akebono ceramic pads, Zimmerman rotors, and SS braided lines. It's what I am doing on my S4 currently.

[old guy]

Wait what? I have used Akebono pads and Zimmerman rotors for years on my BMWs and never had a problem with them. How are you guys bedding the Akebono ceramic pads to the rotors? Not trying to dig on anyone, but I am curious why I am having different results than what you guys posted. I plan on going Akebono ceramic pads, Zimmerman rotors, and SS braided lines. It's what I am doing on my S4 currently.

I tried the Akebono's for the first time recently on my A5. They keep the wheels really clean and overall seem to be a decent pad. Just be aware that you can overrun them with one severe braking event. Clicky click®

[ColdComfort]

I tried the Akebono's for the first time recently on my A5. They keep the wheels really clean and overall seem to be a decent pad. Just be aware that you can overrun them with one severe braking event. Clicky click®

I'm definitely no expert on this (I run ake's front and rear and haven't experienced the conditions / scenario you described), but given that ceramic pads generate more heat than metallic, is there a chance that you overheated or boiled your brake fluid around the brake piston calipers rather than flashed the pads? (edit) If you had gas in the lines right up to the caliper piston heads, engaging the pedal would just displace the gas up through the fluid / push the fluid front down towards the piston. Do you remember if you were pumping at the stop sign, or just a long press?

[old guy]

I doubt it was the fluid. I changed the fluid at the same time as I replaced the pads. It is rated to 536°f. They only had around 2,000 miles on them when this occurred. No pumping at all. Just a normal pedal.



T

[harryn]

Huh, interesting. I guess I am one of the lucky few that don't have issue with the Akebono and Zimmerman setup. I run the Motul RBF 600 Brake Fluid, or Pentosin Super DOT 4, whichever I can get my hands on and available at my NAPA.

Do you guys run the brass guide bushings for your calipers or stick with rubber? How about SS lines versus regular?

[Nick27]

I’m searching for some pads as well for my b8.5, i was looking at the power stop z23 carbon ceramic. Any news on how those bite? I’m in mtl so our winters are terrible will they be okay in colder weather? Also I do have a heavy foot will they withstand the heat?

[SDF1]

I’m searching for some pads as well for my b8.5, i was looking at the power stop z23 carbon ceramic. Any news on how those bite? I’m in mtl so our winters are terrible will they be okay in colder weather? Also I do have a heavy foot will they withstand the heat?

Don't know about power stop. Here is what I ordered, if you want to wait 1-2 weeks when I install it I'll let you know but I'm in a much warmer climate now.

1x Textar Front & Rear Brake Pad Kit - 102$ comes with wear sensor and everything - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-textar-p...8k0698151ekt1/
1x Zimmerman Rear Brake Rotors - Pair (300x12) 82$ - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-zimmerma...8k0998601bkt4/
1x Zimmerman Front Brake Rotors - Pair (320x30) 137$ - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-zimmerma...8k0998301akt3/
1x Anti-Seize Lubricant - 8oz 7$ - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-permatex...8oz/80078~pmx/
1x Schwaben Brake Bleeder Catch Bottle 13$ - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben.../007481sch01a/
2x Brake Fluid - 500mL - DOT4 compliant 5$ - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-.../b0007501mdsp/
4x Syl-Glide Silicone Brake Lubricant Compound - 4 Gram Packet 2$ - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-american...cket/bk-1~ags/
2x Brake Rotor Set Screw - 1$ - https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...ach/n10648301/
(Incase I strip one, i'd rather have a spare)

I'll post some pictures and review of the new setup.

[old guy]

Huh, interesting. I guess I am one of the lucky few that don't have issue with the Akebono and Zimmerman setup. I run the Motul RBF 600 Brake Fluid, or Pentosin Super DOT 4, whichever I can get my hands on and available at my NAPA.

Do you guys run the brass guide bushings for your calipers or stick with rubber? How about SS lines versus regular?

I installed this TyrolSport kit. I can definitely tell the difference. Here's a cut and paste from a thread I posted several years ago:

Driving impressions: The brake pedal feels noticeably stiffer. That initial mushiness is completely gone and the brakes engage immediately. When bringing the car down quickly from highway speeds the braking feels a lot more linear. You don't feel the need to increase the pedal pressure to maintain the same rate of deceleration. It won't turn your OEM brakes into a BBK but it does provide a decent "bang for the buck". Kinda like getting a stage 1 tune for your brakes.

I am still running the Akebono pads. I do like them. They perform fine as long as I don't go back to Mexico and drive stupid;-)

[rcprato]

SDF1 if you look at the picture of the brake pads in the ECS link you see "FE" on front pad markings and "GF" on rear pad markings, those are DOT Codes that represent Intial Bite/Fade Resistance of the brake pad testing. Sometimes this is stamped on the metal if not printed on the backing , G is the best rating.
http://faculty.ccbcmd.edu/~smacadof/DOTPadCodes.htm
https://idpartsblog.com/2019/04/11/w...-ratings-mean/

The Hawk HPS are very hard pads, very little dust and strong braking in aggressive braking situations but they need a little initial friction to warm up to get rid of that "wood' feel on first application of brakes in cold weather, never said they were dangerous just not what I prefer.

[Nick27]

I’m prob gonna be ordering from rock auto to save the famous ecs border fees lol. To many brake pads to chose from I know semi metallic has great bite but what about ceramic for abuse and dust?

[Nick27]

SDF1 if you look at the picture of the brake pads in the ECS link you see "FE" on front pad markings and "GF" on rear pad markings, those are DOT Codes that represent Intial Bite/Fade Resistance of the brake pad testing. Sometimes this is stamped on the metal if not printed on the backing , G is the best rating.

The Hawk HPS are very hard pads, very little dust and strong braking in aggressive braking situations but they need a little initial friction to warm up to get rid of that "wood' feel on first application of brakes in cold weather, never said they were dangerous just not what I prefer.

What about ceramic pads? From rockauto... they have quite a few everyone loves Akebono euro but there’s mixed reviews...

[rcprato]

What about ceramic pads? From rockauto... they have quite a few everyone loves Akebono euro but there’s mixed reviews...

It's like buying beer, a lot of great beer out there but everyone has a different preference for what they like......

What I like about Semi-Metalic pads is how they keep my rotors looking like new, see my post above #11

[Nick27]

What about ceramic pads ? Power stop has carbon ceramic they say there great for some heavy abuse but I dunno about cold weather performance...I’m not a fan of brake bust either