Alternative to OEM brake pads and a bunch of other questions

[jms_w]

In need of new pads and rotors. Will probably stick with OEM rotors but thought about getting better pads for same price or less. Looking to get everything at ecstuning.com. Thought about Akebono euro ceramics but read bad reviews. I want something that performs like OEM or better, less brake dust would be nice, and last as long or longer than OEM.

Here are the choices I am thinking about. If I should go to the different online retailer let me know.

Akebono euro ceramic
EBC greenstuff
EBC redstuff
EBC yellowstuff
Textar
Hawk HPS
Hawk performance ceramic

A few more questions:
Do I need 2 rear wear sensors or just one?
Do I need to replace caliper guide bolts?
Do I need to replace rotor set screws?
Are the Textars exactly the same as OEM but without the branding?

Thanks in advance.

[vastano]

A majority of the guys here run either OEM or Stoptech Street with exception of a few other brands.

as far as your questions:
Do I need 2 rear wear sensors or just one? More than likely, each wheel has its own sensor (4 total)
Do I need to replace caliper guide bolts? nah
Do I need to replace rotor set screws? nah
Are the Textars exactly the same as OEM but without the branding? Yep

[jms_w]

Thank You, vastano. I will look into the stoptech streets but will probably end up with the Textars.

[Sleeper519]

My 2008 only has 1 brake sensor in the rear (2 in the front). I don't think you necessarily have to change the sensors for a pad and rotor swap unless they are broken.

I ilke the StopTech Street/Performance pads for DD.

[pbonsalb]

I am running ST Street. They seem fine to me and the price was right. What are you looking to achieve by changing from stock?

[ailikesiliu]

keep stoptech street performance pads in mind

[Time Lord]

Originally Posted by bbs_lm

keep stoptech street performance pads in mind

especially when there 125 for front and back shipped lol. why wouldnt you get them.....

[to///m]

Originally Posted by Sleeper519

My 2008 only has 1 brake sensor in the rear (2 in the front). I don't think you necessarily have to change the sensors for a pad and rotor swap unless they are broken.

I ilke the StopTech Street/Performance pads for DD.

Do you think StopTech would be better for DD than the Cool Carbon?

I was looking at the cool carbon pads from EAS and heard good things about them

[dparm]

I tried the StopTechs on my Audi S4. Wasn't impressed with them on the street, swapped them for Ferodo DS2500s a week later. Granted, it's a different car, but the stock Pagids were better around town.

[Hujan]

I went from OEM to Akebono Euros. Dust is reduced by leaps and bounds and they are very quiet except when completely cold, but the stopping power/bite is a bit of a drop off.

I'm thinking of trying out StopTech Street/Performance pads. How is the dust compared to OEM? Also, any chance they could make a serviceable dual duty street-and-track pad?

[zamboni1]

I use ST street performance on the street, and DTC 70 on the track. I had 2 very bad experiences with Cool Carbons on my e46 M3. I used them on the track as a dual purpose pad. They overheated and vibrated violently. Cool Carbon sent me a new set of pads and before I could use them on the track, they shattered and split down the middle.
I switched to the ST pads and never had a problem after that. I did get a free Cool Carbon T-shirt out of it. Almost killed myself twice though.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by zamboni1

I use ST street performance on the street, and DTC 70 on the track. I had 2 very bad experiences with Cool Carbons on my e46 M3. I used them on the track as a dual purpose pad. They overheated and vibrated violently. Cool Carbon sent me a new set of pads and before I could use them on the track, they shattered and split down the middle.
I switched to the ST pads and never had a problem after that. I did get a free Cool Carbon T-shirt out of it. Almost killed myself twice though.

How is the dust on the ST Street Performance?

[drchuck72]

Stay away from EBC Greenstuff. The compound is meant for sub 200HP, light cars. The M3 is, obviously, neither. I made this mistake and the pads were down to the sensors after 10,000km (6,000 mi) used mostly on the street with 2 track days.

I'm now on Stoptech Street Performance pads. They are doing much better. However, I am about to install an AP Racing BBK so now it's a moot point.

DrC

[jritt@essex]

I'll throw the Ferodo DS2500 into the ring. They are a fantastic heavy duty street compound. By 'heavy duty' I mean that they will take the abuse of some weekend canyon carving and/or autoX quite well, and some people even use them on the track on lighter cars. The dust is what I'd consider moderate, and they are relatively low noise. They'll have much better bite and pedal feel vs. stock. Ferodo has been around since 1879, and have been involved at every level of motorsport.

Front DS2500 for e92M3

Rear DS2500 for e92M3

Also, I wrote this article on How to Choose Street and Track Brake Pads. It may give you a better idea of what you're looking at when examining choices. Thanks.