Question on brake pad composition for Audi/Porsche

[CBR.worm]

I have recurring problems with both brake rotors warping and also pad deposits. additionally when rotor and pads get wet an impression of the pad is left on the rotor that becomes a rough spot for hundreds of miles. These problems occur on my Nissans w/ various metallic pads. They also frequently start to vibrate under repeated high speed stops and sometimes make grinding noises.

My Dad has a Porsche Cayenne that I have put a lot of hard braking miles on with a trailer in the mountains, they never vibrate, no deposits get left and they don't seem to get pad imprints after getting wet.


Our last Audi had tiny, bulletproof brakes that would smoke like crazy during spirited drives, but never warp, deposit or make noise.

Our BMW is the same way, you can have the disks blue and they don't warp, vibrate or leave deposits.

What is the pad composition of these German cars that allows them to work so much better than my Nissan/Infiniti's? On multiple pad/rotor combinations I have never been able to hammer the brakes without vibration and noise. I would like to find the German pad composition to try on the Infinitis

 

[dparm]

The OEM for VAG is Pagid or Textar (same company). Find out which specific compound it is. They use colors like black, blue, yellow, etc to denote the model.

Since those cars were designed for the autobahn, I bet they're putting emphasis on high-speed stops.

 

[Eddie]

This problem is with OEM pads & rotors?

 

[Trav]

ATE is a huge OEM supplier also.
High speed stopping ability is a must on German cars as you say.

 

[dparm]

ATE and Continental-Tieves supply the rotors and caliper assemblies, typically. My calipers have the ATE logo on them.

In fact, the VW Phaeton brake cooling ducts are a popular mod for many Audis:
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel60.shtml

I almost did it on my car this past winter when I put new pads and rotors on. I opted for DBA slotted rotors instead.

 

[Corvette Owner]

Do you have slotted or drilled rotors? These tend to keep the rotors cleaner.

 

[CBR.worm]

I have run three sets of sloted rotors (DBA, EBC, and Performance brake), they do seem to stay cleaner and flatter. Also Centric Premium and OE. More aggressive pads also seem to keep the disks cleaner, but none of them work all around as well as what is on the German cars have from the factory. Sizing could be an issue, except for the Audi which had tiny rotors and pads.

Pads so far have been OE a couple times, Project mu B-force, EBC Blue, Endless Vita Nuova. I have avoided ceramic pads up to now.

 

[Corvette Owner]

I like Hawk HPS pads.

 

[dparm]

Slotted does indeed help the pads wear more evenly and offers better initial bite. But they also chew through pads faster.

I run the DBA 4000 slotted with Ferodo DS2500 pads, and Motul RBF 660 fluid. Switching to Castrol SRF for next season. Awesome on the track, even with 4000lbs screeching to a halt from 120+.

 

[CBR.worm]

Yeah, I've heard good things about the DS2500's. I might have to try them. I didn't think they were available for my car but some sites have them listed.

When I ran the DBA 4000 rotors I used the Project mu HC+ pads and had great stopping power, but I ended up with some runout on the front during a track day (Roebling rd - pretty easy on brakes other than turn 1), the vibration was so bad I was worried about damaging other components - the hotter they got the worse it was - but no fade. I had them cut and ran a set of B-forces - they worked pretty well. Both sets squealed more than I liked on the street. I try to be smooth and not hammer the brakes, but I am also in what ends up being a 4,000lb car with me and my gear, and the brakes do not seem to get enough airflow to cool between corners.

I currently have EBC USR discs and Bluestuff NDX pads and they work ok, but not great. When they fade, they are gone - not progressive at all. I would be suspicious of the fluid except that the pedal stays rock hard.

 

[dparm]

Yeah one of the biggest selling points for me on the DS2500 was the linear feel and predictable fall-off. No cliff or anything.

For next season I may just get something for the track and swap the day of (I already have dedicated tires). The Porterfield R4 or something insane would be nice.

 

[SteveSRT8]

All of you guys looking for a great pad for spirited drivers should give Stoptech a call. They have a proprietary blend (don't they all?) that gives great performance capability with minimal squeal and dusting.

Mine have run many road course events.

 

[dparm]

I ran the StopTech pad. Didn't like it for street, but on the track it was very impressive.

 

[CBR.worm]

I have run the stoptech pad as well. Worked great except the inability to come to a stop smoothly or release from a stop smoothly.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Slotted does indeed help the pads wear more evenly and offers better initial bite. But they also chew through pads faster.

I run the DBA 4000 slotted with Ferodo DS2500 pads, and Motul RBF 660 fluid. Switching to Castrol SRF for next season. Awesome on the track, even with 4000lbs screeching to a halt from 120+.



Do you plan on leaving the SRF in all season long (including street use) with only occasional bleeds (or no bleeds at all)??

I'm curious to know how it holds up to that use, as I also want to try it at the next full flush.

BTW; has anyone on here ever tried the Carbotech Panthers on the track, or the Bobcats on the street/autocross???