Brake pads Carbotech or Hawk Performance
My favorite autocross pad is Hawk HP+, but they dust like crazy and some sets are extremely squeaky for some reason. But they are mad consistent in all temps (except track where they fade at high speeds like any street pad) and the bite is absolutely fantastic and easy to modulate.
I've been using Hawk 5.0 They're marketed as a "high performance street" pad. I've done track days with them and theyve held up but they're "street" enough that they don't take forever to get warm. Maybe it's my lack of experience with other pads but they are kinda dusty.
Always had good luck in the past with Hawk HPS pads.
Brake dust difference between stock Akebono pads on the front and Hawk Performance Ceramic on the rear. The backs would usually be about 70% as dusty as the fronts and now they're essentially clean
I've been tracking my 335i for a few years now, ive used ebc yellowstuff, and bluestuff pads. But they dont even hold a candle to the hawk ht10 pads I have in my spec e46, easily my favorite part of that car.
hawk hps 5.0 pads all around
I use Hawk HPS 5.0 pads. Definitely an improvement over stock and I haven’t had any issues with dust.
Depending on the track the factory pads may be adequate for your first day, but a more aggressive and higher temp pad would be my recommendation because nothing will up the "pucker factor" like your brake pedal going to the floor. A pad like the Hawk HPS 5.0 is what I'd consider to be minimally acceptable for street tires on an average track. I'm a big fan of GLOC pads and I can confirm their R8 compound on all 4 corners works great on the GTI/R/A3/S3 for street tires.
Hawk 5.0 for street/autox. I like them but they do make a fair bit of dust and maybe a little underpowered for heavy track.
You will find the HP+ pads are possibly the worst pads ever. You get all the downsides of track pads and street pads. The dust from Hawks will also eat your wheels.
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