For very little money I also upgraded the brakes to StopTech slotted rotors, braided SS brake lines, and Hawk HP pads. Never had brake fade even at tracks like Road America with heavy high speed braking.
I'm running standard DBA 4000 blank rotors with Hawk HPS 5.0 pads. My only complaint is they seem to make a lot of brake dust so I'll probably try other pads when these wear through.
I bought a well maintained 2014 Mazda 3 hatchback with 60k miles two years ago for $8500. I’ve done rear and front brakes, as well as a rear wheel bearing in that time.
9 years working at Mazda and also a master tech, to me always oem fluid. No matter what, I for everything matter in fact. Seen lots of after makers stuff and even brake pads.
Just replaced acc drive belt, plugs and brake pads. One of the easiest cars to fix I've ever worked on. Overall, best car I've ever had.
I would stick to oem or hawk pads.
I bought my car in 2020, its a 2015 Mazda. Bought it with 92,000 miles currently has 118,000. At this point I have had break pads replaced twice [last time in the beginning of 2024] and rotors replaced once [in 2022]. I took my car to a mechanic in December 2024 and he said breaks looked fine [took it in for another issue]. In May 2025 the car started making a squeaking noise when breaking. I know I should have brought it in then but I am flat broke, I had no money to spend. I have been driving it like that since then. The car runs fine otherwise, I have no problem with breaking [no input lag] and no vibrations on the break pedal.
Could be the brakes. My wife's CX-5 smells like that, too. I think one of her slide pins probably seized and needs to be lubricated. Full brake job will be done in the spring. 35K miles or so. I've found that the road salt here just murders Mazda OEM brakes. We've had the same experience with Honda, as well.
Hawk HPS5 is ceramic and not good. The Akebonos also blow.
Cx5 2024, one year old and the brakes are completely shot and need to be replaced. I was quoted like 1.5k and the manufacturer only offered $500 discount on the new brakes. I’m honestly appalled.
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