I want some new pads and I'll be putting them in if these bloody replacement calipers ever turn up.

Anyway, I've narrowed my choice down to three sets of pads (realistically two, but I'll come on to that) and am interested in thoughts and experiences on these.

I'm considering Hawk HP+ at £120, Carbone Lorraine RC5+ at about £160 and Pagid RS4-2 blues at about £220+ for a front axle set.

I've pretty much discounted the Pagids due to cost, unless they're seriously worth the extra outlay.

I have 4 trackdays planned this year and want something capable hence looking at an uprated pad.

Does anybody have any direct experience of using any of the above?

I'm also considering Carbotech as well. I've had a bad experience with recent EBC pads (not the EBC of old), so won't be trying those again.

The unachievable bit comes down to dust. I'm not stupid enough to think that can get a pad that generates no dust at all but is there a pad that, under heavy use, produces less dust than an OE spec pad?

Im looking at Carbotechs for mine as well, albeit purely as there isnt much other option on the market just yet, however they seem to get rave reviews in the USA.

 

Ive had HP+ pads before.  Nothing special tbh, not bad but not amazing.  

I spoke to Hawk at Autosport Show about the ceramic pads and the rep said they were good but the HP+ were better if you don't mind the noise at lie speed. I was down at AKS yesterday who (like you) said they were good but not spectacular and compared them with a pad like a Brembo Sport.

Carbotech XP8 and CL RC5+ are apparently one and the same. Supposed to produce lots of dust contrary to the product spiel.

I can't justify £230 for a set if RS4-2 blue, especially if they are heavy on discs, or £400 for a set if Project Mu/Endless if they do last 2-3 times as long.

Mintex M1155 have been put forward as a possible choice - I guess if you can't rule out the dust, then it doesn't matter what you get.

Me too John, after the disappointment with the Ferodo DS2500's I am looking for new pads.   

 

 The pads that were in the Brembo's when I got them were DS3000 and I have to say the feel and grab of the brakes is incredible, I drove back from my mates after fitting them, a mere 17 miles and my wheels were covered in black dust!

 I would possibly have DS3000's again but am deterred by the DS2500 failure (maybe the Golf is just too big and heavy for 2500's on track) 

 

 So, I am now considering 1155 Mintex, we run these on the Escort MK 2 for competition stage rallying, they seem to do ok on that but it is light.

 EBC Yellow I have also considered at £142, I had these on the Fabia for a few track days and they performed quite well.

DS3000 again but I am dubious about the bedding in and crumbliness of these as my car gets very little road uses.

 

 I will make my decision over the next week or two and I will keep an eye on this thread to see what you buy. 

What Brembos have you got James to pay £142 for EBC Yellows (or is that a full front and rear set)?

I paid £90 for Blues to go in 986 Brembos on the front.

Just fronts mate, I have the Leon Cupra R set up, I bought them off CNTuning. 

 

considered Pads are;

 

EBC                       DP41140/2R

Ferodo DS3000     FCP1348R

Mintex 1155          MDB2271

There's a guy on the mk5 forum who has a good relationship with EBC, I got my pads and discs from him. I'd heard horror stories of EBC of old, but I tried a set of blues in the last 12 months and they fell apart as well so I'll steer well clear.

Have a look at Tarox corsa+ 501's as found these amazingly good! Much better than my CL rc5+ pads I have now.

I have a contact for pads also..  an example of this is a set of DS3000 £120 for my Brembo's   I have to say seek and you shall find, steer clear of the main companies for your bits and bobs and you can save a stack of money.

I can get 1155s under £100 delivered. I'll have a look at the Corsa+ as well.

What's the level of dust mr Rooney?

Dust levels for the corsa+ were just what you'd normally see. I would /will buy them again but thought I'd try the CL rc5+ for a change but they just dont have the bite of the Corsa+ pads. They might improve when I replace the old worn discs however.

Another pad if you really want the very best is made by Endless. Often used at the nurburgring 24hrs because they can last the full 24hrs on one set of pads and discs which is pretty clever!

The Suzuki swift rent cars at the ring also I use Endless pads as they perform and last like nothing else. They're not cheap mind but worth it if your serious about stopping.

Just looking at prices for some Endless pads. From £557 ex vat ! Told you they weren't cheap!

Endless MA45B Endurance Racing Brake Pads From £557.00 Ex

Description Q & A Reviews

Endless MA45B compound brake pads are the choice of professional sports car race teams the world over for medium distance endurance races. Exceptional wear characteristics mean the pads will last a full 6 or 12 hour race saving precious time in the pits for a pad change. Endless MA45B compound pads are well suited to heavy production based sports cars as well as prototypes and classics.

The MA45B compound brake pads offer a high initial bite with excellent modulation providing a fantastic combination of performance and control.

Reviews (0 customer reviews)

BUY FROM ONLY £18.10 EX PER MONTH. FIND OUT MORE

• Ideal For Mid Distance Endurance Races

• The Choice Of Sportscar Race Teams

• No Need For Mid Race Pad Changes

• Superb Performance & Control

Quantity

Lead Time & Availability

Please select your specific product option from the drop down list to view stock availability.

From £557.00 Ex

A slight upgrade from the £15.36 pads from euro car parts I guess!

Dust levels for the corsa+ were just what you'd normally see. I would /will buy them again but thought I'd try the CL rc5+ for a change but they just dont have the bite of the Corsa+ pads. They might improve when I replace the old worn discs however.

Another pad if you really want the very best is made by Endless.

As said a few posts above I don't have the budget for Project Mu/Endless. Also seems like the 501+ doesn't come in Boxster fitment.

I've been running Carbotech XP8s in my other car, they're a very tough pad, and can take a lot of heat; so far, on two track days, I haven't managed to get them to fade although I don't stay out forever, as I don't want to overheat the tyres. With steel lines and good fluid, they're easy to modulate too, right up to the point where ABS just doesn't quite kick in. I did manage to melt and burn the paint off the calipers though, but I now take the pragmatic view that fresh red paint is for those who don't drive fast enough. The only thing I'd add is that they do tend to chew through discs, and they squeal and grind occasionally, but I can live with that. There are other grades from AX6 to XP16, but its easy to read up on their website. I'd be tempted to try the Performance Friction 01's as well, at a similar price point.

The PF pads are an excellent pad for track use. Maybe a bit extreme for road use (can be noisy and stopping from cold isnt fantastic) but on the flip side they are very good on track and last for ages. 

Well I've had a set of M1155s on now for a good few weeks. The bedding in process was alarming to say the least, in terms of dust, smell and initial performance (pedal hit the floor on the first couple of big stops as it was getting through the release compounds or whatever is on the face of the pads when new). Left a heavily oxidised coating of dust on the wheels which, when cooled, turned into a crust that could be picked off in big scabs.

Now bedded in they're pretty good. Don't seem to be too dusty and performance from cold is ok too.