Right I've got a choice of brake pads to go with the OEM discs and I'm looking now so I can have them already when it comes around to needing to change.

The current pads are EBC Redstuff Ceramic. I don't want telling these are cr*p, because as far as I'm concerned they are not and have worked very well.

My issue comes that their price has increased to the point where they are not far off DS2500, so I'm considering other options.

So I have:

- EBC red again

- DS2500

- OEM skoda pads

- OEM pads of the Audi TT225. (They use the ATE callipers, but have a different part number and seem to be a different compound (maybe pagid black) )

So whoever runs any of the above I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the pad performance, wear rate, wear on discs, dust generation and noise.

Also where is cheapest to get DS2500 these days?

Please don't post saying pad X is cr*p try something else instead as I want something proven.

Also I'll do a full review of the EBC red to add to my original thread when I've worn them out, and changed, so I'd rather not get into a debate on them in great detail on here.

Thanks

On FSIII callipers and 288mm discs i've found the OEM pads to work quite well.

Even when the car was mapped (150bhp) on the ATE pads, it use to stop very well with little fade until the car was pushed really hard for prolonged periods of time.

Yeah I agree the OEM are good, although I have to be honest the stopping provided by the EBC was good even if there are some negatives to be had by running them.

Anyone else got any comments, especially re the DS2500 vs OEM

I have a lot of experience with DS2500's albeit on an Alfa 156 V6 before I got the Octy. They are bloody brilliant!! Although if fitted to a post 2001 (I think ) car they may invalidate your insurance unless you specifically advise them. DS performance pads are compliant however they do not have the same braking co-efficient as the DS 2500s

DS 2500's are rated as racing pads and they do work best with a bit of heat in them however, I found them to be better than OEM pads when cold and way way better when warm.

DS2500's sometimes prone to being a little noisy at low speeds but other than that pretty spot on

DS2500's sometimes prone to being a little noisy at low speeds but other than that pretty spot on

Yup i can echo that.

I have DS2500's on mine and they sometimes squeek at low speed but they are definately an improvement over OEM. More bite etc and better feel.

They don't fade either on a Spirited B road drive like OEM can do sometimes.

My Choice would be the DS2500's

Carl

I think if i was going to look at upgrading my pads, i would look at going for the DS2500's after hearing other people talk about them across several forums.

Edited 22 February, 201016 yr by Browny_37

My insurance covers uprated brakes already, so that's not an issue.

Regarding noise, how much. Just a slight squeak under a few conditions or at low speed, or are you talk always noisy.

The first I can live with, the latter perhaps less so.

How many miles have any of you put on the DS2500A

I've put about 4k miles on mine now.

The squeakiness is only occasionally for me no particular set of conditions

Carl

Are you running OEM/plain discs Carl, or something a little more groovy?

Are the DS2500 really not R90 approved for road use?

If so I might throw the EBC yellowstuff into the ring as well, although to be honest, since R90 is +/- 15% it might just be that the DS2500 are well over +15 performance

I've heard people say it's like throwing an anchor out of the car with the DS2500 on, I'm taking that with a pinch of salt, but a similar effect would be nice.

Edited 23 February, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai

Yes im running OEM smooth discs

Even when i go to K04 i will not be up rating the brakes. I don't go on a track with it and a rarely thrash the car anyway. Plus i have been taught how to drive properly so uprating the brakes don't really come into the equation for me.

I only went with the DS2500's as i got them at a good price at the time and i did want a bit more feel. I am used to driving with them now so am used to the way they bite etc.

I suppose once bedded in etc then you would probably compare it too chucking an anchor out of the car. I have only had to use them a couple of times in an emergency and they did stop me a fair bit quicker than the OEM pads.

Having said that it won't make a blind bit of difference how good your brakes are if your tyres are crap. Which is why i have the better pads and decent tyres. IMHO that is a better way of guaranteeing to stop rather than just chucking huge brakes on their and hoping for the best.

I don't know what R90 approval is but i can assure you that from my experience (apart from the odd squeak every now and then) the DS2500's are perfect for road use

Carl

I agree with you on the decent tyres side of things and while currently running winters, will be running summers when the weather is appropriate.

I think I've now got it down to two choices:

- DS2500 (best price I've found so far is £102 inc VAT)

- EBC Yellow Stuff (Sounds like a sensible change over the reds)

So not much better off than when I started, except that the reds have been replaced with the yellows.

On the plus point the DS2500 are very much in the running and I think are tipping it assuming they are not massively more than the Yellows.

Ds2500 every time. If you run them remember to give them a good work out every couple of months as they can get a bit glazed when bimbling.

Re the squeal fit anti squeal pads or shims on ther back. Any good brake specialist should be able to source them for you. Its all about eliminating the gap between the piston & the pad, There are also pastes & sprays on the market

Ds2500 every time. If you run them remember to give them a good work out every couple of months as they can get a bit glazed when bimbling.

Re the squeal fit anti squeal pads or shims on ther back. Any good brake specialist should be able to source them for you. Its all about eliminating the gap between the piston & the pad, There are also pastes & sprays on the market

Thanks Stu,

Out of interest did you ever try the Yellow as they are a good amount cheaper and I read good things.

I ran the reds and they are good, with one down side I can see, but then I'll post that elsewhere.

As ever it's one thing reading something good and another to hear it from somebody you know who will have given them a good work out.

Thanks Stu,

Out of interest did you ever try the Yellow as they are a good amount cheaper and I read good things.

I ran the reds and they are good, with one down side I can see, but then I'll post that elsewhere.

As ever it's one thing reading something good and another to hear it from somebody you know who will have given them a good work out.

I had bad experiences with EBC years ago on my STi, they were useless. I was recomended DS2500 when I built the Octy special & have run them ever since, currently on the zed & they cope well, I see no reason to try anything else. If I ever wanted better for rallies etc I would go to DS3000 but thats aimed at racing so poor when cold, not really sensible on the road, people forget that after a few miles at 90 on the motorway your brakes are stone cold, maybe just when you need them. I had someone come in front of me at around 70 when I was at around 150 in the Octy (Autobahn) & thats the time you need faith in the pads, 2500's were fine unlike me who felt a tadge panicked. You may find the Yellows are cheaper for a reason

I had bad experiences with EBC years ago on my STi, they were useless. I was recomended DS2500 when I built the Octy special & have run them ever since, currently on the zed & they cope well, I see no reason to try anything else. If I ever wanted better for rallies etc I would go to DS3000 but thats aimed at racing so poor when cold, not really sensible on the road, people forget that after a few miles at 90 on the motorway your brakes are stone cold, maybe just when you need them. I had someone come in front of me at around 70 when I was at around 150 in the Octy (Autobahn) & thats the time you need faith in the pads, 2500's were fine unlike me who felt a tadge panicked. You may find the Yellows are cheaper for a reason

I guess my uncertainty comes down to the fact that I had quite good experiences with the reds.

The DS2500 is good and very tempting, but there is just a slight niggle at the back of my mind.

I think i might see if the local site sponsors can match the online price plus supply shims for the DS2500 and if so I'll probably plump for a pair of them with new discs.

The reds were for the same reason and also coped admirably on the a/bahsn with various GB and Dutch cars ignoring the fact that you're moving at well over 100.

My issue with them is that disc wear is a bit high IMHO. Nothing too bad, but it will be 1 set of discs to 1 set of pads as opposed to 1 disc = 2 pads.

What was your experience on disc wear for the DS2500 pads?

Edited 24 February, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai

I guess my uncertainty comes down to the fact that I had quite good experiences with the reds.

The reds were for the same reason and also coped admirably on the a/bahsn with various GB and Dutch cars ignoring the fact that you're moving at well over 100.

My issue with them is that disc wear is a bit high IMHO. Nothing too bad, but it will be 1 set of discs to 1 set of pads as opposed to 1 disc = 2 pads.

What was your experience on disc wear for the DS2500 pads?

I am surprised about your comment about disc wear rates with EBC pads. EBC pads are supposed to be kinder to the discs than other pads and that's one of the reasons I use them on my Furby and other cars.

My dad has certainly had more than 2 sets of red ceramic pads per set of discs on his Scoobie and that's with the older style (10 groove) TGDs. I can't comment on DS2500 as we are fans of EBC.

I am surprised about your comment about disc wear rates with EBC pads. EBC pads are supposed to be kinder to the discs than other pads and that's one of the reasons I use them on my Furby and other cars.

My dad has certainly had more than 2 sets of red ceramic pads per set of discs on his Scoobie and that's with the older style (10 groove) TGDs. I can't comment on DS2500 as we are fans of EBC.

Can't comment on use with the EBC discs, but I'll be having a closer inspection of the discs before changing.

I've been told there is wear on the inner face, but the outer face seems absolutely spot on so I'll be inspecting it closely myself before I change.

Edited 25 February, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai

I guess my uncertainty comes down to the fact that I had quite good experiences with the reds.

The DS2500 is good and very tempting, but there is just a slight niggle at the back of my mind.

I think i might see if the local site sponsors can match the online price plus supply shims for the DS2500 and if so I'll probably plump for a pair of them with new discs.

The reds were for the same reason and also coped admirably on the a/bahsn with various GB and Dutch cars ignoring the fact that you're moving at well over 100.

My issue with them is that disc wear is a bit high IMHO. Nothing too bad, but it will be 1 set of discs to 1 set of pads as opposed to 1 disc = 2 pads.

What was your experience on disc wear for the DS2500 pads?

On the Octy with Ap 4 pots x 335x32 discs it was 1 set of discs to 2 sets of pads,

The Nissan has uprated discs & had one set of useless pads (when I bought it), Used one set of 2500's & on its second set, discs still ok

On the Octy with Ap 4 pots x 335x32 discs it was 1 set of discs to 2 sets of pads,

The Nissan has uprated discs & had one set of useless pads (when I bought it), Used one set of 2500's & on its second set, discs still ok

Thanks Stuart, certainly that information seems to be swinging me towards the DS2500 for the next set of pads.

Out of interest what did you do with the wear sensor?

I'm assuming it's a case of cut an old one off at the connector and put it in to stop crud getting in, then disable the sensor in VCDS.

Thanks Stuart, certainly that information seems to be swinging me towards the DS2500 for the next set of pads.

Out of interest what did you do with the wear sensor?

I'm assuming it's a case of cut an old one off at the connector and put it in to stop crud getting in, then disable the sensor in VCDS.

On the Mk1 when the brake kit was fitted they just disconected & sealed the end with tape, all done in a bit of a hurry, I was going to do a better job but never got round to it, no probs for 75000 miles & a few sets of discs & pads , obviously good leccy tape

Interesting thread. I have never used EBC's but I read an article in an Italian performance car magazine whereby they did a very thorough test of top-line racing pads, including Pagids, DS2500 and EBC redstuff. A couple of Mitsubishi Evo's were used on track and two pro racing drivers. The tests were done 'blind' (the drivers didn't know which pads were fitted). EBC came out best under all braking conditions for both drivers. DS2500 was third place. Frictional coefficient of EBC and DS2500 was measured to be the same (0.50) as was braking temperatures. The EBC's wore a little faster than the DS2500s, but had better feel and progression. Not my opinions - just reporting what the testers found.

what ferodo ds performance pads, they seem to be aimed at fast road?

what ferodo ds performance pads, they seem to be aimed at fast road?

I'll give them a miss thanks.

In terms of pads I'm in discussions with a member on here to potentially buy some lightly used DS2500 pads.

If that does happen, then I'll be able to have a go and see what I think without throwing the full cost at a set.

In terms of the EBC vs DS2500 vs Pagids, the EBC red are fine for me, but if I was doing regular track driving I'd run yellows as I think the reds are not designed for that.

Anyway, I guess I can have a go, see what I think and report back.

EBC do also have premium discs, these are plain (ventilated front and solid rear) discs but they cope with the green stuff pads.

I changed the original system after 90tkm to the EBC combination.

Difference is very well felt when you use the brakes hard.

Not easy to explain, but if you brake hard from a high speed (over 180km/h) you can feel the original brake bite and than have a constant deceleration. At this point with the EBC setup you feel that the brakes start to get warm and grippy and the brake will decelerate even better.

This is my experience with this setup. Didnt try any other setup yet.

The premium discs and green stuff pads are now 50tkm old. They seem to wear harder than the originals, but as excuse I can say that I did one track day with them. (and here they really did their job, no fading or whatsoever, no smoking brakes after stopping in the pitlane).

For germany this combination is approved.