Looking around I can only seem to find the stock pads ($85) & the Mazdaspeed pads ($144)...

I would really rather have something other than stock seeing as the stock pads only made it to 20k miles & are pretty much worthless now(not much hard driving) but I don't know if the Mazdaspeed pads are necessarily any better in terms of stopping power/longevity/noise/etc...

So if you guys have any recommendations, please feel free to share!

I prioritize my needs in the following order.
1. noise (less than stock plz)
2. performance (at least as good as stock plz)
3. cost (relative to performance)
4. dust

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

I have the Hawk HP Plus race pads, and with my gunmetal wheels, i can't tell brake dust barely if any, and their not noisy at all on my car, but that might be due to my mainly city driving, so my brakes stay fairly warm. They stop like crazy, haven't had anything better on my previous cars either, not even my ebc red stuff. I'll buy these again!

 

I have the Hawk's as well, haven't put them on the car yet due to winter, but these should do excellent duty as a track/street pad.

 

on my miata, as well as my girlfriends RSX type S and my buddys Mazdaspeed Protege we have used both Hawk and Porterfeild. I like both of them, as far as stopping power and fade free performance.

Things to note though : we use these pads at auto-x and track events, with sticky tires and stainless steel brake lines.

While the pads could be used for daily driving, i would rather have a OE replacement pad....ive gotten it down to a quick change to do brakes while i change tires and wheels for a event.

 

i just bought the mazdaspeed hope there good

 

I use Project Mu, they're VERY nice.

 

I'm currently on EBC Red Stuff--I chose them over the Hawks because the red looks good. Next time around I'll try the Hawks--but I have no complaints with the EBCs. They are noisy when cold--but that goes away, and they reduced the amount of dust by like 70%

 

endless brake pads, and project mu brake pads are supposed to be the best, for a cheaper good alternative, hawk has been a good name too.

 

ive got the hawks but havent put them on yet, im waiting on the powerslot rotors, then ill let you know

 

Endless are so frickin expensive.

I got my Project Mus cheap on eBay, otherwise I wouldn't have wasted $$$ on them, but they're VERY nice.

 

Other than Ebay, where are you guys finding these pads?

Store site? Specialty aftermarket parts sites? Other?

If you could point me in the right direction, that would be really appreciated!

 

www.brakesrus.com for my EBCs. I just did some searching, Tirerack carries Hawk pads.

 

Depending on what pads youre looking for one of the site vendors may sell them.

Which pads, I may be able to point you in the right direction.

 

Awesome! I didnt realize the Hawk pads were available through Tire Rack!

I just went on there & got those!

Thanks a lot everyone! I'll let you all know how they are when i get em put on!

I went with the HPS Street pads... i hope they're enough!

 

Poterfield brakes are good.

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

 

I have also been thinking about new pads.

How real are the warnings that the Hawk HPS Street can decrease Rotor Life? Anyone have experience with the EBC Reds on this?

 

Well the Hawk brake pads are semi metallic. They bite more so the first initial grip feels like you stop farther.

Porterfield has more of a consistent brake feel.

One on one ther pretty much equal, but the Hawk pads will wear the rotors out faster due to the metal.

Porterfield will wear the pads faster but save the life of the rotor.

It all depends upon what you want. Also, Hawk could squeal.

 

I'm using EBC Reds in the front--love em.

 

How in the sam hill did you go through the brakes in 20k miles. I have 36k and still have most of the brakes left.

I will go with Porterfield when i need to replace.

 

excellent question... not really sure myself...

I do almost 85% highway driving but when I do drive in the city it's usual a slow crawl... Either up & down lots of hills (SF) or just tedious stop & go for an hour or so at a time... so yeah... & i've never tracked them nor do i race or beat on my car...

i have NO IDEA how they only got to 20k miles... rather disappointed myself but hey they stopped like god himself put his hand down & grabbed me while i had them... they aren't very godlike now though...

Perhaps my build date had crappier life pads? 10/03 so it was rather early in a relative scale... who knows?