Which front brake pads?

[maars]

The brake pad light has just come on. A quick glance through the wheels and the front pads still have some material left on them. Should I be replacing the pads straight away?

Stoke Audi have OEM Audi front pads for £276 with sensor wires. What similar spec aftermarket pads do people recommend? Are the OEM pads really worth the extra money?

[NJMAudiRS4]

I used Ferodo Premier (4129) from opie oils £78.54 + vat they come with sensor wires and work just as good as OEM If not better.

[MikeFish]

I use EBC yellow stuff pads on the front and rear. As good as or better than OEM and about £160 for fronts (and they have sensors too unlike the Ferodo DS2500).

[maars]

Thanks for the replies.
Any noticeable differences with the aftermarket pads?
How much would they cost to fit?

[RossDagley]

I used Ferodo Premier (4129) from opie oils £78.54 + vat they come with sensor wires and work just as good as OEM If not better.

I have been through several sets of pads in the last few months whilst I experiment. The Premere pads I got from here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161259193413? ... EBIDX%3AIT

£67 delivered. FAR better than the Pagid blue pads, but lots of dust and clog the drill holes real quick. Basically a "standard" pad. Nothing special. Have wear sensors so handy.

I use EBC yellow stuff pads on the front and rear. As good as or better than OEM and about £160 for fronts (and they have sensors too unlike the Ferodo DS2500).

Then I swapped to EBC yellow stuff pads a few weeks ago before my last trip to the ring. Slightly less bite when cold, but very good when up to temperature. Less dust than any previous pad I've used. Consistent braking even under repeated hard use (back to back 9 minute laps). Do smoke a bit when really hot and blued my discs a little so they're working hard. I'm keeping the yellow stuffs for now for sure, especially with more track time coming up.

[rob-s]

I fitted EBC red stuff for daily use. I am very happy with them. Ceramic thus causing less brake dust.

[denis.dasilva2]

Im using ceramic hawks!

[RS04YOB]

Im using ceramic hawks!

Did you get the pads from the UK

[caldy]

You could try these...

http://www.carbotech-europe.com/contact.htm

Not cheap but worked for me.

[RossDagley]

Of course if budget is no problem, you should be looking at endless pads.

[maars]

Not fussed about track performance, just regular road use and the occasional spirited drive. The Ferodo's sounded good, although the Yellows sound better. Where's the best place to buy a set, and how much is fitting likely to be?

[RossDagley]

Honestly if you can change a wheel you're practically there for fitting pads. It's 10-15 minutes per side maximum. You could do it yourself if you fancied a go. I guess worst case it's an hours labour to a garage.

Yellow stuff pads are about £200 for a complete set (8 pads.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m31b0s3095p49 ... Brake_Pads_

[R1RS4]

Im using ceramic hawks!

Did you get the pads from the UK

I got mine from JHM, had them shipped in

Very quite, stop well and very low dust fall out, pricey but does the job well

[R1RS4]

Honestly if you can change a wheel you're practically there for fitting pads. It's 10-15 minutes per side maximum. You could do it yourself if you fancied a go. I guess worst case it's an hours labour to a garage.

Yellow stuff pads are about £200 for a complete set (8 pads.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m31b0s3095p49 ... Brake_Pads_

"Should" be a 10-15 min job, but more and more we here about the corrosion build up under the spring steel end plates, which inturn stops the removal of the pads, as the cars are reaching the age they are this will become a regular thing.... Good luck and hope yours is a 10-15 min success CheeRS

[RossDagley]

Honestly if you can change a wheel you're practically there for fitting pads. It's 10-15 minutes per side maximum. You could do it yourself if you fancied a go. I guess worst case it's an hours labour to a garage.

Yellow stuff pads are about £200 for a complete set (8 pads.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m31b0s3095p49 ... Brake_Pads_

"Should" be a 10-15 min job, but more and more we here about the corrosion build up under the spring steel end plates, which inturn stops the removal of the pads, as the cars are reaching the age they are this will become a regular thing.... Good luck and hope yours is a 10-15 min success CheeRS

This is true I suppose! Having changed my pads 4 times this year and giving the calipers a quick clean each time I do, I guess for me they pop out easily. But yep. totally agree - those end plates can pinch the pads and make the pad hard to remove (and then re-insert)