What a difference a pad makes...

[Ceveman73]

Had the car 18 months now and have always been very happy with it apart from one thing; the brakes. I resigned myself to the fact that the stock brakes weren't really up to it due to an unsatisfyingly soft pedal, as well as 'fast road' braking that never felt up to par compared with the performance of the car. I was very close to upgrading to C6 brakes, until I did a bit of research and decided that perhaps my 'cheapo' budget Mintex pads could be to blame. So I changed the pads...

After a lot of research and deliberation I dug deep and went for a set of Carbotech XP10 pads on the front, after hearing very good reviews from GTR owners (similar power, similar weight). Also fitted a set of the new EBC Bluestuff pads on the rear to complement the fronts. Overall damage was over £500 plus fitting (ouch), but boy what a difference!

Chalk and cheese doesn't even cover it. I never could have imagined that there could be such a complete difference in braking performance with uprated pads - I always assumed that the discs and calipers were the biggest factor. Boy I was wrong. Braking performance is incredible, OEM bite from cold, but once these babies are up to temp the braking is sublime. Nice firm pedal, huge retardation, excellent modulation, with much less pedal effort than before. The harder you brake, the better the pads get, they're simply amazing.

Both sets of pads are rated as track pads, but with the weight and performance of the car, this is really what you need to stop nearly 2 tons of estate at speed. Pads are said to be kind to discs, only slight negative is slight squeaking when cold and more brake dust than normal, but neither are really a problem, the braking makes up for it.

All in all, best mod I ever made. Highly recommended.

Mart.

[HYFR]

yup

pads and fluid, the right choice can make a HUGE effect on braking performance

[posterboyj]

I agree, pads make all the difference. Did you not consider Ferrodo pads?

[Ceveman73]

Nah. Had DS2500 on my Scoob about 10 years ago which were ok, but the 6 is a different beast. Twice the power and nearly twice the weight. Ferrodos are fine, but the Carbotechs are something else, believe me.

Mart.

[chunky79]

Take it you have never had oem pads on the beast mart? Just wondered how they compared?

[hahnmgh63]

I've been very happy with the EBC Yellows on my RS. They dust a little less than OEM, cost half the price, stop better, and they are supposedly easier on the rotors (only have 5~6K on them so I can't judge that yet).

[Shoppinit]

You are the only person I have come across not to slate the EBC yellows. I know people that have actually thrown them away after a couple of months to replace them with Mintex with which they are happy.

I think the OEM pagids are a pretty good compromise - just budget to change them before they get halfway down to prevent damage to your disks.

The good news is that the pads on the RS6 are even easier to change than on a ford escort so at least there are no labour costs involved.

[Ceveman73]

I guess it depends on how you drive, what your braking expectations are, and what cars you have driven in the past that you are basing your experience on. I've come from Scoobs & Evos which come with good Brembos as standard, and I like my braking to be brick wall like, so OEM pads were only so-so in my opinion. I can appreciate that for many people OEM is fine though. If you're gonna go the EBC route, you need at least Bluestuff, or the new Orangestuff to stop the car effectively.

Mart.

[PhilT]

I have to believe that EBC must have done something about the compounds used. I had nothing but trouble with them in the past. The new car has a couple of sets coming with it, so will get chance to try them afresh.

[Shoppinit]

Congratulations on the sale, Phil. What you replacing it with?

[chunky79]

Congratulations on the sale, Phil. What you replacing it with?

Think he's going skyline

[PhilT]

I am. I have that GT-R feeling. The 6 was great, but I want something to get back on the track with.

Still have the 4 which is the "family" car. Love my RS4

[Shoppinit]

Turning Japanese I think he's turning japanese...

I'll be interested to read your impressions after the '6

[Mr Footlong]

Mart, any updates on how you are getting on with these pads now that a few months/miles have passed? How are they for dust? Hardly important but worth asking . I am going off my Mintex fast as I don't drive like a Grandad.

CheeRS

Nick.

[Maximo]

Nick, what don't you line about the Mintex pads? I have a pair on the front of mine and they seem to slow me down just fine. Interested to hear your view point.

Cheers

Garry