Hi,

 

what are people's experience of both Ceramic and Semi-metallic Pads for more stopping power/bite.

 

I fitted Ceramic pads few months ago but feel they have less stopping power with less firmer pedal. Unfortunately driving around South East London with people and others motorists occasionally dashing out means I am reconsidering refitting SM pads and living with the dust.

 

What are others experiences.

Ceramic ones you’ll need to get up to temp for them to work properly. You’d want a softer pad for that. 

I was thinking the same thing; Ceramic pads are really for track day and race use.

5 hours ago, KenONeill said:

I was thinking the same thing; Ceramic pads are really for track day and race use.

 

Quite the opposite, the "ceramic" pads 247 is talking about are low dust, low noise pads and are NOT suitable for track day and race use. You are confusing that with full ceramic disk/pads fitted to highest end sports cars. Not the same stuff.

 

What ceramic pads are fitted? ATE or another brand? Because they are low wearing, it is important to fit new discs at the same time otherwise they will take forever and a day to bed in, if at all. That could also be the reason for the softness, although ceramic brake pads are known to be more progressive in feel. Also make sure the brakes are correctly bled.

 

All pads have to be ECE R90 which means within 15% of OE performance. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECE_Regulation_90

 

New ATE discs and ceramic pads going onto one of our fabias next month.