Ceramic Brake Recommendation/Preference?

[UpNorthSooner]

A buddy of mine is looking to change to ceramic brakes on a 2018 VW Jetta. We were talking at a bar last night when he mentioned it to me, so I thought I would get on here and ask if anyone has a preference as to what brand of ceramic brakes they use, or could make a recommendation as to what brand(s) he should look at. He mentioned that his brother suggested Bosch, but that he has read some bad reviews of their ceramic brakes when paired with VW vehicles.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[JavierH19]

I've always used duralast ceramics and they're about the same to me. The vw oe pads are good but it wouldn't surprise me if they were 2x the price or even more. Heck you could probably get brembo ceramic pads for less.

 

[JavierH19]

Looked at az's prices and yup. Duralast gold ceramics are $52 for the front and brembo's are about $68.

https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-traction-control/brake-pads

The local vw dealer has front pads at $101

2018 Volkswagen Jetta Disc Brake Pad Set (Front) - 5C0698151A - Genuine Volkswagen Part

Disc Brake Pad Set (Front). 2018 Volkswagen Jetta. Genuine Volkswagen Part - 5C0698151A (5C0-698-151-A, 5C0698151B)

parts.vw.com

Brembo's all day.

 

[k1xv]

For the Corvette, I routinely replace the original equipment high dust Brembo pads with PowerStop Z26 pads.

Best price is from Rockauto

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Akebono Euro is the gold standard for brake pads for European cars

 

[Capt W]

Whatever the ultimate choice may be, ensure your bud follows the manufacturer's bedding procedure for smooth operation and longevity. Ceramic pads really tend to smoke and stink as you bed them (melt them into the rotor), but it's quite normal and will ensure the best possible performance.

 

[buck91]

I was initially quite pleased with the powerstop Z36 "towing" pads I installed on my 2011 F150 but they really lack cold weather stopping power and its getting worse as they age. The Akebono's I sprung for on the wife's 2018 are still quite new but have much better cold weather feel.

 

[UpNorthSooner]

Whatever the ultimate choice may be, ensure your bud follows the manufacturer's bedding procedure for smooth operation and longevity. Ceramic pads really tend to smoke and stink as you bed them (melt them into the rotor), but it's quite normal and will ensure the best possible performance.

Thanks for the advice! I will let him know.

 

[spk2000]

I try to always get Akebono having worked there many years ago they are very good quality and very consistently perform and wear well. If I was towing heavy loads I would consider semi metallic otherwise Akebono to me are best bang for buck. Not the cheapest nor the most expensive but always perform well and have never been disappointed.

 

[UpNorthSooner]

I was initially quite pleased with the powerstop Z36 "towing" pads I installed on my 2011 F150 but they really lack cold weather stopping power and its getting worse as they age. The Akebono's I sprung for on the wife's 2018 are still quite new but have much better cold weather feel.

Thank you! That is good to know. Seeing as how we both live in Northern lower Michigan cold weather performance will be important for him.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Thank you! That is good to know. Seeing as how we both live in Northern lower Michigan cold weather performance will be important for him.

In that case, pair them with Powerstop Geomet coated rotors. It really helps to slow down the rust.

 

[willbur]

I try to always get Akebono having worked there many years ago they are very good quality and very consistently perform and wear well. If I was towing heavy loads I would consider semi metallic otherwise Akebono to me are best bang for buck. Not the cheapest nor the most expensive but always perform well and have never been disappointed.

Glad you like them. My experience is quite differant- Akebonos top performance pads fade, low intial bite and imprint rotors with even deposits leading to vibration. But are smooth, no noise and clean. I guess it depends on your driving style.

 

[TiGeo]

A buddy of mine is looking to change to ceramic brakes on a 2018 VW Jetta. We were talking at a bar last night when he mentioned it to me, so I thought I would get on here and ask if anyone has a preference as to what brand of ceramic brakes they use, or could make a recommendation as to what brand(s) he should look at. He mentioned that his brother suggested Bosch, but that he has read some bad reviews of their ceramic brakes when paired with VW vehicles.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Centric Posi-Quiet. You're welcome.

 

[930.engineering]

A buddy of mine is looking to change to ceramic brakes on a 2018 VW Jetta. .......what brand of ceramic brakes they use......

I'd suggest to NOT to call them 'ceramic brakes'. This is a ceramic rotor, which the most vital feature of ceramic ceramic brakes:

 

[edyvw]

A buddy of mine is looking to change to ceramic brakes on a 2018 VW Jetta. We were talking at a bar last night when he mentioned it to me, so I thought I would get on here and ask if anyone has a preference as to what brand of ceramic brakes they use, or could make a recommendation as to what brand(s) he should look at. He mentioned that his brother suggested Bosch, but that he has read some bad reviews of their ceramic brakes when paired with VW vehicles.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Akebono Euro. Personally, I would not allow someone to park in my driveway with those brakes, but people driving Euro cars and worrying more about the appearance of wheels than brake performance really like them.

 

[walterjay]

No need to overthink this. Not a competition application. Been using Wagner Thermo Quiet pads for years in various applications. Excellent stopping power, minimal dust and quiet.

 

[drtyler]

If Bosch makes a QuietCast Ceramic formulation for the car, I would use those before Akebono Euro.

 

[CarDoc66]

I just tried a set of Element HT hybrid pads from Bendix. They stop phenomenal and virturally no dust.

 

[willbur]

Glad you like them. My experience is quite differant- Akebonos top performance pads fade, low intial bite and imprint rotors with even deposits leading to vibration. But are smooth, no noise and clean. I guess it depends on your driving style.

Ment to say "uneven" deposits

 

[dumkid]

Akebono Euro. Personally, I would not allow someone to park in my driveway with those brakes, but people driving Euro cars and worrying more about the appearance of wheels than brake performance really like them.

They don't grip hard, but they last a long time. For a daily driver I'd get akky-bonos, because they can still lock up tires so your peak braking is the same, they just don't bite hard when you first touch the pedal. For a track car get something else but for your average town cruiser most people probably won't care even if they do notice the difference.