Currently running Ferodo pads which I prefer to the Mintex Redbox pads.
I ran the same pads at a track day at Sebring (Long Course). They held up very well as did the stock audi brakes in my opinion. The last car I tracked was a WRX with stock brakes and Carbotech pads and it was total disaster. I was nevous I would have similar problems with the stock brakes and heavy A3 but they performed very well. Fade: 9 Virtually no fade at this track Wear: 8 Went through about half the pads with around 3 hours of hotlaps Dust: 6 More than stock. Get it off quickly after the track day as it becomes difficult to get off. This is pretty normal though. Noise: 5 Sqeeky on track which is to be expected. They will get squeaky on the street if the brake dust starts to build up. Just wash the car every other week and you are fine. They was no major rotor wear even after street use. I also ran Carbotech Bobcats on the rear but can't really say how much difference they made.
I just got back from a 3 day Audi Driver's School at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL., and just had to post a testimonial on how well the brake pads performed. The Carbotech XP8's far exceeded my expectations in every way. They are somewhat expensive, but worth every penny. If you are one of those people (like me) who is not ready to drop 2+ Grand on a big brake kit, the Carbotech's are the next best thing. My first touch on the brakes almost sent me into the steering wheel. Wow, what a difference. Once the pads were broke in and bedded, they were a little more "user friendly." There is only a very slight occasional squeek on the city streets when you brake. The infrequent noise is a necessary compromise for the braking ability these pads provide on the track. I do way to many events over the summer to swap pads every event, so these were a good dual-purpose pad for me. If you do any lapping days- try these pads. Drive fast, have fun and be safe!
I run Bobcats front and rear on my car on the street and on the track. I think they're great, low dusting and quiet. They bite well on the street and amazed me on the track at Thunderhill with their fade resistance. I was on them all session long and they never gave out.
What I did notice is that the brakes performed better when doing repeated stops which is related to their heat dissispation.
The most economical upgrade for street use is just beefy pads. Try Ferodo DS2500 on the front axle with your OEM 11.3" rotors combined with Hawk HPS on the rears.
Ive been running ferodo 2500s and motul rbf600 fluid and have never had them fade.
I liked the ferodo street pad a lot. I got mine used from potterman when I bought the brakes from his one lap car. They had great initial bite and did farely well on track. They would start to get overworked towards the end of a session but they are street pads. They dust a lot just like the 2500s.
I run audio TT front rotors (12.3 instead of 11.3), aggressive pads (ferodo DS2500) and racing brake fluid (motul rbf 600) and even on the track where you have to do some high speed stops (125-45) I havent really seen much brake fade.
I'm running the same setup as you (Ferodo DS2500/Hawk HPS with ATE Super Blue) and also notice some mild fade after 6-8 laps. I also get a mushy pedal which persists after the brakes completely cool, meaning I'm probably getting some fluid boiling and need to bleed them out.
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