Instead I rebuilt my original calipers with a rebuilt kit from AutoHausAZ, bought a set of Hawk HPS brake pads, ECS stainless steel vinyl-wrapped brake lines all around, and Brembo cross-drilled and slotted rotors times four. Finally I used ATE synthetic blue brake fluid and a power bleeder, which I highly recommend for our cars.
If you'd like to correct the brake balance, put some higher cF pads on the front axle only. Hawk HPS works well. Leave the rear with OEM pads. Seems counterintuitive, but this will prolong the life of the rear pads and reduce ABS activation on hard stops.
Look at getting Ferodo DS2500 pads on the front axle and Hawk HPS pads for the rear axle. This is a HUGE upgrade and will improve your braking performance tremendously for both street and track.
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 just had my brakes done all around, ATE rotors with Hawk HPS pads FTW, very little brake dust and my isht stops on a dime. I had my fluid flushed too, this upgrade was def worth the money
For my track setup I'm also running Hawk HPS pads out rear, very similar to the characteristics of the R4-S. I've run the R4-S before and prefer the Hawks.
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.
I just installed Hawk HPS pads front and rear about week and a half ago. I did a 300 mile drive up in the twisty mountains here over the weekend and absolutely love the pads. No noise, very little dust, good feedback, cheaper than the Porters.
I had a track day yesterday and I think my rear brakes are overheating. The rears are 9.1" solid rotors with Hawk HPS pads. The edge of the pads close to the rotors turned an orangy-brown colour and smelled real bad after my last session. I'm pretty sure it is overheating.
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