I need new pads, but I don't know what kind I should or shouldn't get.

I searched, but I didn't find anything regarding what pads are worth the money, and which ones aren't. Anyone here have any advice regarding brands/materials? My MazdaSpeed suspension suprized me with the performance gain, and now I'm kinda partial to MS parts, but seeing it as it is the RX-8 already has the best stopping distance in its class, will there be any noticable difference in braking power or pad life with the MazdaSpeed pads, or will I be wasting my money on a logo?
Also, is there a certain material I should look for or avoid? I've heard good things about ceramic pads, but that was from people who drive Evos, S2Ks, and 350zs, and it seems that whatever works great on those cars does nothing for mine...


Pardon my newbiness to this - Despite my long history of RX ownership, the only work I've ever done on my own car consists solely of the MS shocks & springs on my 8...



...Isn't it weird how you can feel like you know so much about something, only to find out you know absolutely nothing when push comes to shove?

 

What is the planned use of the car? Track days, daily driver, etc?

 

I have had Mazdaspeed pads and they were excellent street & track although I did get a bit of squeal .
I then went to Carbotech Bobcats & have been very dissapointed with them . Harder pedal on the street and fade too much on the track .
The Mazdaspeeds are too dear so I'm looking for something equal in performance at a lower cost.

 

unless you will be doing a lot of track days I think for the money the stock pads are great. I have 1 track day (no fade) and at least 10 autox days on mine

 

Try the EBC reds or yellows next!


I have the mazdaspeed ones and they are great as well but they are quite pricey!

im going to try either one of those next

dont get the greens unless youre only going for street

 

I have the ceramic by hawks and have had no problems with them. Going on 3 month now. The stock where kind of a mess , with the dust, plus the number one reason I change them was because of the squealing . If anyone tells you , thats normal that is BS . I hear it no more ....I order thru PepBoys something like 70 or 80 bucks ........

 

The car is used for everything. I need durability & longevity more than I do performance. I put 45,000 miles on my car in one year, 65% highway, 35% city. Lots of roadtrips, lots of backroads, always driven spirtedly, autocrossed monthly.

Now, as much as I love to autocross, and as much as I live for rough driving, I prefer having long maintenance intervals the most.


Perhaps I should have phrased my question like this:
What brakepads should I look at if I want something that will last a damn long time?
Now, of those pads, which one(s) still deliver stock (or better) performance?

 

Hawk Performance Ceramic

 

i might try that one out too. need the front brake pad

 

I recommend not trying the EBCs, I had a set of EBC reds, 2 lapping days and street driving, lasted me a total of a 1700 kms which is roughtly a little over 1000 miles, I am never going to use EBC ever again. I've had pretty good results with project mu brake pads, they last forever and take all the abuse you can throw at them, they're even better than the hawk HP + I have on right now

 

Honestly, unless you are going to TRACK your car, what pads you get will not make a difference what so ever, if anything the after market ones maybe annoying. Just buy OEM pads, they are excellent.

 

Imput1234 - can you elaborate on what you mean by "they're just annoying"? Annoying as in they squeal? Do they provide less linear braking power? Do they cost too much for how little extra life they give?

I'm going to need more than "they're annoying"....

 

i agree with alot here on the ceramics, i have them as well and they're great for what you're asking from the car.

 

Axxis Ultimate (Ult) would be my recommendation. Could not find anything bad about them ;o)

 

Squeal, brake dust...the whole point of most of the after market pads is that the hold higher temperatures better, and fade less, and that is completely useless unless the car is tracked, out car already stops better than any competitor in class. Just buy OEM.

 

that is because you went with a lower quality brake pad most likely. Most high end track pads squeal at low speeds

 

Whatever it is, it doesn't squeal and thats what matters. If you also do a little search you'll see that theres a few of us in here that use the ceramic and dont have any issues ..... I suppose other exoctic cars are using low quality pad , cause I dont ever recall having something like a lambo or viber pulling up and having
to hear any squealing .

There is a TSB on our pad because of the squealing . Something about the pads are not set up properly and the brake dust will make the squealing noise ...

 

Carbon kevlar from Porterfield here.

http://www.porterfield-brakes.com/