Brake pad suggestion -- 2001 Audi A4

[newtoncd8]

Automobile in question: 2001 Audi A4 2.8L V6 quattro with 51,000 miles -- probably need pads around 55,000 miles.

I have been looking around on the Audi forum and google, and I can't find a consensus on the best brake pad to use for normal, everyday driving. I don't like the OEM pad, it has way too much brake dust.

I have read where EBC Greenstuff, Hawk, Akebono ProAct, or Axxis brake pads are excellent alternatives, but each seems to have their faults (from the various searches I have done).

My driving pattern is about 60% highway, 40% town, I am just looking for a pad that is rotor friendly and as brake dust-free as possible for everyday driving.

Any thoughts, real-world use of these pads? Thanks.

 

[uconn1150]

Try here

 

[newtoncd8]

Thanks for the link...the main pads on that page were the Axxis and Mintex, which I have read about. Axxis seems to have pretty good reviews, but the Mintex didn't get the best results

I have seen a few folks with Audi's (and even techs) on this forum and I guess what I am looking for is, anyone who has actually used a pad besides the OEM and have a preference.

Thanks.

 

[JHZR2]

Pagid, ATE, Jurid and Mintex are amongst the best, IMO. Any good european parts discounter ought to carry someif not all of these brands.

For street use, if youre a responsible driver and dont jam on the brakes or ride them too much, the cheap autozone lifetime warrantee pads can be a good deal.

Pagid pads will probably give the best performance, but will also be the dustiest. They are pretty dusty on my 91 BMW. I was happy with the ATE pads on my 83 MB, and am happy with the ATE pads that are stock on my 04 saab.

JMH

 

[oilcanboyd]

ive had both axxis organic and metal master on my car and i liked both pads. the metal master pads lasted longer than the organics. these pads are made in austrailia

 

[oilcanboyd]

oh and i also tried a set of the cheapo brake pads from kragen and it didnt last long at all.

 

[BenDarDunDat]

I like PBR Deluxe. Rotor friendly,negligable dusting, agreeable feel. Using them on 1996 A4 and 2000 BMW 323i. Used Pagid in the past, and they generate huge amounts of dust. Much prefer the PBR's.

 

[alchu]

you might want to try porterfield R4S pads

Highly regarded over at the vwvortex...

 

[ChrisW]

I had horrible experience with mintex for my fathers 1998 A6 2.8 30v with the 288mm front brakes. They made a lot of noise, even after repeated reinstallation and putting on brake quiet on the back of the pads, and even after proper bedding procedures. I found out the pad was actually seperating from the backing plate, which was causing all the noise! Returned them for a new set, but did not install them. This was for the front set, btw. Rears are fine.

I went with oem Pagids [while waiting for replacemnt mintex to come in], and while they dust a heckuva lot more than did the mintex, they are noise free.

The least dusty pads are the PBR/Axxis Deluxe pads. They are organics and produce a much lighter dust than metals and ceramics, although they cannot take as much heat and spiritted as metals or ceramics. I would choose the PBR/Axxis Ultimate (ceramic) over their metal masters, and certainly any three of these over the pagid/jurid/textar/ate past based soley on dust. The only thing is I do not know how PBR pads are on noise.

The cheapest place I have found for PBR/Axxis pads is http://www.importrp.com They also have brembo blank rotors (and their sport slotted or drilled series) for just about the lowest price I've seen.


While I do have the mintex pads they sent to replace the defective, I think I may try the PBR/Axxis ultimates next. I'll have to get new rotors too because the OEM pagid pads are not so rotor friendly; there is a slight lip on the outer edge of the rotors now because of these pads. I have noticed this on a lot of other german cars as well, especially BMW with oem pads (BMW uses the same as audi as far as brands).

You might say turn 'em, but by the time the pads wear out, and you get them turned, they are at there minimum thickness. Cheap enough to buy new rotors.

 

[moribundman]

Pads that produce less dust will just grind the rotors more. The OEM pads are well-matched to the discs, especially in terms of of life expectancy of both parts. Pagid Blue pads are nice and dust less than OEM pads. Suitable for everyday driving and some tracking.

 

[XS650]

Curtis, I put EBC Greenstuff pads on my Corvette. They aren't low dust no matter what the marketing claims, but the dust washes off easier than the factory pad dust did.

They work good too. I haven't had them long enough to judge how long they last.

 

[nel]

Pagid, Textar and Mintex are all owned by TMD Friction--TMD home page . The pad materials differ slightly given how the brands differentiate themselves, and each brand has different distribution and aftermarket support.

I personally prefer the way Pagids feel on my family's BMWs. Yes, Pagids do dust a lot, probably more than the Mintex pads, but they offer better modulation at lower pedal pressure.

On one of the BMW forums I visit, the gurus there prefer the Raybestos QS ceramic pads. They're readily available through most auto parts stores, e.g., Checkers, Kragen, etc. I haven't tried it but may after the Mintex pads wear out on my wife's car.

 

[Jimbo]

I have EBC Greenstuff on the BMW and, like on the Corvette, they do produce dust. However, it is half the dust of OEM Pagids. Initial bite and modulation are both excellent. ODM German pads also wear out the rotors. Axxis/PBR Metal Masters supposedly eat rotors also. My mechanic hates Mintex due to poor quality control.

 

[Brikhead]

Another vote for Axxis/PBR deluxe organic pads. I don't own an Audi, but I've used these pads on my Volvos for many years with great results. My Wife's `03 VW Golf will be getting them too after the OE pads wear out.

 

[newtoncd8]

Thanks for all of the replies......I am kind of leaning towards the Axxis organic pads. I saw some good stuff on the Akebono ProAct pads, anyone used 'em??

 

[Audi Junkie]

Pagid.

 

[vvk]

quote:

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Originally posted by Curtis Newton:
Thanks for all of the replies......I am kind of leaning towards the Axxis organic pads. I saw some good stuff on the Akebono ProAct pads, anyone used 'em??

---

If you are not doing any high-performance driving, PBR/Axxis Deluxe are outstanding. I've had very good results with them. Very low dust, excellent life, easy of rotors and good brake feel. Not as strong as MetalMasters but strong enough for normal driving.

 

[Lumberg]

quote:

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Originally posted by JHZR2:
For street use, if youre a responsible driver and dont jam on the brakes or ride them too much, the cheap autozone lifetime warrantee pads can be a good deal.

---

Gotta agree here. You sound like a responsible driver.

If I were in your position I would, just for the **** of it, try the cheapest pads they had at your local mass market auto parts store. It's a cheap experiment. If they dont' work out, try one of the mroe expensive ones, and you have a pair you can slap on there if you need to do the brakes before selling the car, or in an emercency or whatever.

 

[jsharp]

quote:

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Originally posted by Lumberg:

quote:

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Originally posted by JHZR2:
For street use, if youre a responsible driver and dont jam on the brakes or ride them too much, the cheap autozone lifetime warrantee pads can be a good deal.

---

Gotta agree here. You sound like a responsible driver.

If I were in your position I would, just for the **** of it, try the cheapest pads they had at your local mass market auto parts store. It's a cheap experiment. If they dont' work out, try one of the mroe expensive ones, and you have a pair you can slap on there if you need to do the brakes before selling the car, or in an emercency or whatever.

---

I've tried a couple sets of the cheapest Autozone pads now and for the $$ they're great. One set on my son's truck wore out faily quickly, but we got new ones for free and the rotors showed almost no wear at all. They also stopped at least as well at the other unknown pads that they replaced...

I don't think I'd take them racing but for street use, especially on an older vehicle I think they're a good choice...

 

[newtoncd8]

I am not sure I have ever read so much about brake pads (not just here, but at the different audi/vw forums) .... until now. I wanted to thank everyone for their opinion's ... I really do appreciate them all.

It was close between a couple of the pads, but I went with PBR/Deluxe pads ... ordered them from the link offered by ChrisW for $49.99 plus $8 s/h. BTW, the import place has outstanding customer service.

Again, thanks...I will report how the pads work out for me.