Thoughts on Brake Pads

[jdoublehcubed]

I'm looking for people's thoughts on different brands and types of brake pads.

In the past I've normally used Napa Adaptive One pads, which is a ceramic with different compounds on the inner and outer pads, and they've been pretty good, but I'd like to be a bit more meticulous in choosing pads for the M. My dad owns a shop and has a Napa business account, so I have a tendency to lean towards buying stuff at Napa (10-50% discount).

I'm wondering about materials (semi-metallic vs metallic vs organic vs ceramic) and brands (Textar, PBR, Akebono, ???). Looking for pads that would be useable for a beginner track day and some SCCA solo, but would also prefer lower dust than OEM.

Finally, anyone tried these out yet?
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-Z4-M_Ro...006_2007_2008/

I can get OEMs for about $400 a pair, think they're work an extra $100?

Thanks in advance.

[Kgolf31]

Less Dust = Less Stopping Power. Simple as that.

I run HP+ on my car for solo and for my first 2 HPDE weekends (I'm now going to need track pads).

They are loud as hell, annoying, dust like none other but stop so well I deal with all of it.

Doesn't take much to heat them up to temp, and they have an aggressive bite with linear throughout the pedal.

If you go with any type of ceramic, or low dust pad (or one that is a generic POS) you're going to fade on the track.

[ANUSTART]

I've seen a lot of positive feedback on the Akebono Ceramics. Seems to be a happy medium between performance and low dust. If you aren't pushing it, it's probably a good choice. But, as Kgolf31 mentioned, more grab means more dust.

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

Finally, anyone tried these out yet?
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-Z4-M_Ro...006_2007_2008/

I can get OEMs for about $400 a pair, think they're work an extra $100?

Thanks in advance.

I have them on order. I also ordered the rears, which are on back-order until late Sept. They're $100 cheaper than stock (but one piece) so the cost was a wash.

[Caddyshk]

Stoptech

[Shipkiller]

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[fastsilver03]

I plan to purchase pads on RockAuto. They have great prices and inventory.

[i2ichal2dZ4M]

I daily my car and see 6-8 track days a year, and on Stoptech Street Performance. I think they're a nice balance for dual use, and also they're cheap!! At the same time i'm about ready to have dedicated track pads.

[herragge]

As mentioned above, I like Hawk HP+ for a semi street/track pad. They are loud, and lots of dust, but they do have great initial bite (a bit sharp for some however.) If you do a few track sessions a year, I think HP+ are a good option.

For me, I only do 1 or 2 track sessions a year so HP+ is a bit overkill; I am looking at alternatives and thinking Ceramics, heard Akebono are good. May give them a try.

[ZeD4Mr]

I have the Akebono Euro pads. only done 1 session on them. absolutely no noise, next to no dust and worked fine on that DE. Local track is not high speed or long though.

[Walkurie]

Originally Posted by Caddyshk

Stoptech

+1!

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by fastsilver03

I plan to purchase pads on RockAuto. They have great prices and inventory.

RockAuto ships from Warehouse Distributors across North America. They have a great e catalogue, pricing and Customer Service.

[Finnegan]

I'll second all of the recommendations for Stoptech Street Performance. Lower dust than stock, more progressive and easier to modulate, and holds up to intermediate driver (or better, depending on the track) use.

Ceramic + track = bad idea. The MOT (max operating temp) of ceramics is usually quite low, and the friction level drops off rather quickly once you exceed it. It's about having the right tool for the job.

[inTgr8r]

+1 for Stoptech for a great all around pad.
I just switched back to them.

[Z4inAZ]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Less Dust = Less Stopping Power. Simple as that.

I am really not sure if there is any scientific backing to this statement. Stopping power is directly related to the friction coefficient of the pad, and that has nothing to do with dust.

Also guys, drilled and slotted rotors are a gimmick on modern cars and they generally do more harm than good. Most modern racing cars dont use them for a reason. They were initially developed during a time when brake pads would release a lot of gas and the dimples and slots were put in place to give that gas a place to escape. Now on modern cars with modern pads a negligable amount of gas is produced and there is no benefit to these cross drilled/slotted rotors. They cool off faster but they also cant hold as much heat as the solid rotors

Pads are really personal preference but I always just stick with OEM

[StickMon]

How would the Stoptech Street Performance be for a DD?
I don't want to hear 'em.
I have no argument with the stock pads, but the price on the Stoptechs from RockAuto is too good not to consider.

[Finnegan]

No noise. Like I said, less dust than OEM, better feel, good price. If you want to throw in an AutoX or track day, you're golden. I use these on all our cars--wouldn't drive a the DD w/o them.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Z4inAZ

I am really not sure if there is any scientific backing to this statement. Stopping power is directly related to the friction coefficient of the pad, and that has nothing to do with dust.

Also guys, drilled and slotted rotors are a gimmick on modern cars and they generally do more harm than good. Most modern racing cars dont use them for a reason. They were initially developed during a time when brake pads would release a lot of gas and the dimples and slots were put in place to give that gas a place to escape. Now on modern cars with modern pads a negligable amount of gas is produced and there is no benefit to these cross drilled/slotted rotors. They cool off faster but they also cant hold as much heat as the solid rotors

Pads are really personal preference but I always just stick with OEM

More so personal experience. Ceramics suck in the rain, and overall braking is reduced. If you don't dust as much, typically you're not creating as much friction to stop the car.

Find me a ceramic pad that can out perform HP+ or other similar pads and maybe I'll change my statement

[sipman]

No way! Drilled rotors are awesome at removing two or three days of track time from my pfc 01's. at $500 a set, I'm thrilled about this.

[mike519]

Put the Stoptech's on this year and have been very happy, though no track days yet.

[jdoublehcubed]

Great discussion in this thread, thanks to everyone for their input. I've got a set of Stoptechs on the way for the insane price of ~$85 for both axles from RockAuto.

[Caddyshk]

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

Great discussion in this thread, thanks to everyone for their input. I've got a set of Stoptechs on the way for the insane price of ~$85 for both axles from RockAuto.

Likely shipped from Tirerack.