Ok listen up... I need front pads. Im starting to hear a slight squeal come from them while braking. Rotors look more then fine and the rears i wont even touch as they arent even close yet. Im at 22k miles on factory brakes and im a lil suprised that the fronts went already as i have put 8k on them myself and barely brake... even coming off highways. I guess the guy before me drove it hard... which isnt necessarily a bad thing either.


I know all about how brakes work and the friction coefficient, temps, ABS and the OEMs can easily set it off. Im not changing the braking system. I wont track much any time soon either so im not looking for racing pads.

I have 3 choices:

Hawk HP+
Hawk HPS
Hawk Ceramics


Now, im looking for something a lil better then OEM pads, but... wear less, capable of higher temps (less brake fade), easy on rotors, and above all... less brake dust (easier cleaning since this is my DD).

Before i go further... if there are other brake pads that are within the same prices and fall into the same category, feel free to enlighten me. .


Ok, I know the Ceramics would be great for DDing because of the very low brake dust and being easy on rotors... but i do stop aggressively sometimes if im booking it on some twisty highways or have to make a serious fast to slow stops (which in NYC happens often on highways). I frequently get cut off by people at the last second doing 35mph less then me... in the left lane. Im just not too sure if they will failt o stop consistently if im having a bad braking day like described above.

This lead me to the HP+. Those have a higher temp rating and will be good for tracking if i still have them when i decide to go... However, i heard they produce more dust then OEM and are a bit harder on rotors (usually the case).

The HPS's are kind of like in between... But im not sure on the difference between Ceramic and Ferro-Carbon in terms of all this. If anyone has real experience with these, i would really appreciate it if they shared their results. Im doing the labor myself as brake are somewhat easy. Ive briefly helped changed pads/rotors on discs and drums in the past... and ive bled brakes on more than one occasion, so following the DIY should make this cake sauce.

Thanks in advance.

 

Hawk ceramics get my vote, I have them on my RX-8 and love them. Very little dust and excellent stopping power for a daily commute, even when some knuckle head cuts you off.

In fact, I love them so much, I just put a full set (front and rear) on my Bimmer

 

Hawk ceramics I have them on my front, they brake great and they even have lass dust then the rear oem pad.

 

Awsome!


So far leaning towards them. I have read up on comparisons between the HPS and Ceramics and im liking the Ceramics... Im not yet sold though lol. I will wait until tomorrow evening when more replies come in since i posted this up extremely late.

Thanks so far guys.

 

OK, listen up...Hawks Ceramics. 'Nuff said.

 

The Hawk Ceramics would be the best for you. I have a few sets in stock currently as well.

 

Hawk ceramic FTW!

I have those and the Racing Brake slotted rotors

This is the set-up the car should have from the factory

 

^^^^ +1
I've got the Ceramics with the Racing Brake drilled & slotted.

talk to Rishi at Auto RnD, he hooked me up with a great price.

 

Thanks guys for the quick and awesome replies. Ive decided to get the Ceramics. I will order within the next few days, just have to move some funds around first.

Now to buy some wheel cleaner for my rims... the OEM pads caked that dust on the inside of the rim. Oh boy this is gonna be fun.