Probably a stupid question but are all brake pads all the same? The brakes on my optima don't seem that great and with only 9000miles on it they can't be worn already.

Would upgrading the pads to something else benefit it? Suggestions?

They are not all the same. The main difference is the material they are made of and resulting friction coefficient characteristics.

What is their max operating temp (will they brake fade) and will they bite from cold or do they need to warmed up to provide the braking. Some people upgrade brake pads to low dust ones as this is what they are after and not the performance.

 

Pads are the cheapest "brake mod" and easiest to perform so usually a first port of call.

Probably a stupid question but are all brake pads all the same? The brakes on my optima don't seem that great and with only 9000miles on it they can't be worn already.

Would upgrading the pads to something else benefit it? Suggestions?

it'd be interesting to see what is actually available to fit the Optimas caliper as its not a commonly tuned model. I've always personally been a fan of Ferodo DS2500's for all round ability but I've just swapped over to the new Brembo Sport HP2000's and considering I've only put 80 miles on them so far, they are bedding in well with good bite from cold and great friction apparent after a few repeated uses already evident. They are also around 20% cheaper than the ferodo for any given application.

I had Brembo Sport HP2000 on my vRS and they behaved the same as OEM Skoda pads, massive brake fade after 2 track laps driven in anger. I will be going for EBC Yellowstuff if my current brand new all round Pagid rotors and pads are no good at rack day braking.

I had Brembo Sport HP2000 on my vRS and they behaved the same as OEM Skoda pads,

There's no way i'm seeing evidence of what you are saying. I put some miles on it last night and I'm impressed with them. They have similar friction properties to DS2500's apparently and I can feel that on the road. Id say bite from cold isn't as good as DS2500's but then many say that's a weakness of them and I always liked them for that - maybe its due to the bedding in process, who knows

Exactly, I was really dissapointed :(. To me they looked like the pads were flexing under heavy load as I was seeing evidence of uneven pressure on the discs, i.e. narrow discoloration bands of overheated disc surface. What was weird they were apppearing in different places on different times so no rhyme no reason to it...

Cold bite was stellar, only when really pushed they failed.

Wonder if there is a way to increase foot-brake pedal pressure which will reach greater pressure on brake pads ? bigger servo perhaps?

No matter what pads or bigger calipers are fitted, there's still seems only the same brake-pedal pressure/ brake fluid movement getting to the brake pads.

Master cylinder upgrade is what you are after but this is not necessary. There is more than enough pressure in the system as is so such an upgrade is not sth usually done.

Rotors diameter with bigger area high performance pads and multi-piston calipers is the best way forward.

Edited 14 April, 201511 yr by Jabozuma