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.
fk coilovers, VR6 top mounts, eibach anti roll bars, powerflex bushes all round, strut braces front and rear, audi tt front brake callipers and carriers, brembo 312mm cross drilled front discs, brembo cross drilled rear discs, mintex fast road pads all round. goodridge brake hoses all round.
I had a squeal and rattle that was cured by using brake grease as opposed to the "brake quiet" stuff. I put some brake grease on all the points that the pads slide on the caliper brackets. First I cleaned them with brake cleaner, then scraped any rust off and then applied the grease.
NEW Mintex front 10.1 brake pads $45 NEW Mintex rear 9.4 brake pads $20
I have the ECS stage1 fronts with mintex C-Tech racing pads and R32 vented rears with stock pads, Super Blue fluid. At summit point Shennedoah circuit which is pretty hard on brakes, I experienced NO fade at all. The pads maintained impressive bite lap after lap, even during one 40 minute session.
I'm running the same stuff too. Mintex Redbox pads. Like them alot. Feels alot better when stopping.
i have the same complaint about my mintex red box pads, they are a bit noisy at times and they my like a rubbing/squeaking sound somtimes when i stop or roll a bit with my hand brake pulled up, but the dust is much less than it was so im kinda happy about that.
mintex red-box suck, you want a set, I'll give you mine. I have had mine for about a week they are ok for grandma style braking, but once you really get on them, you are srewed for an hour (of light braking).
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