Track pads: Carbotech XP10/XP8 versus EBC Yellow Stuff versus Ferodo DS2500?

[ChipB]

Looking for pads to use on track days for the upcoming HPDE season on my '09 S5. Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot of options out there for high performance pads for this car - for example, nothing is available from Hawk. So the only choices available seem to be the following:

Carbotech XP10 and/or XP8
EBC Yellowstuff
Ferodo DS2500

I woud appreciate any feedback on these specific pads - again, for track use. I am leaning towards the XP10 for the fronts, as I have heard only good things about them and I already have an extra set of rotors, so I can dedicate a set for use with the Carbo's for the track and a second set for street use with OEM pads (the Carbotech web site is very clear that you should NEVER mix the use of CT and non-CT pads on the same rotors without resurfacing first). As for rears - I'd rather not have to buy a second set of rotors, so the choice is to (a) just use OEM pads, (b) use a pad that doesn't require resurfacing, such as the EBC or Ferodo, or (c) get a set of Carbotech Bobcats for street use and use them on all four corners. Comments or advice?

[Calif_Kid]

I've got a 2001 AWE stage3 B4 S4 with 355mm Brembo 4 piston front brakes, and recently upgraded from the std rear brakes to the 034 Motorsports 300mm B7 S4 upgrade rear brakes. I was using Ferodo DS2500 pads all around, but after the rear brakes were upgraded, switched to Carbotech XP10 pads for the front. I don't have any direct experience with EBC pads, but I am guessing that XP10 (or maybe XP8) pads for the front, and DS2500 (or comparable Carbotech pad) for the rear would work fine. If you decide to go with Carbotech, then call them to see what compound (XP10 or XP8) they recommend for the front. Initially, I really liked the DS2500 pads all around on street and track, but after braking harder and harder on track, decided to go with a more aggressive pad up front, and the B7 S4 rotor upgrade out back. For the front, as I only have one set of rotors, I used some Hawk Blue pads to cleanup the rotors when I switched from the DS2500 to the Carbotech XP10 pads. During a track day at Laguna Seca, the pads worked quite well, but I might possibly go to XP12 pads in the front in the future. If you do go with Carbotech, then some of their pads are compatible with some of their other pads (like XP8 and XP10 may be compatible with Autocross AX6 etc.), so you may be able to go with one set of rotors for street and track, but discuss with them.

PS - I've also got a 1999 Honda Civic full track car (fully stripped with rollcage, harnesses, approx 2280 lbs, etc.), and have been happy with Carbotech XP10 front pads and AX6 (Autocross) rear pads so far. - Jim

[ChipB]

Thanks for the reply. I've gone ahead and ordered the following:

1. Carbotech XP10's for the front. After lots of on-line research I found nothing but glowing remarks about CT pads - I can't say that about the others. I contacted CT directly and they recommended the XP10 over the XP12 for me because I run street Tires (Bridgestone RE-11's) as opposed to R comps. While XP12 may be a better pure track pad, the concern is that it might overwhelm the ability of the street tires.

2. EBC Yellowstuff for the rear. If money was no object I would have gone with Carbotech XP8, but the thought of having to have either dedicated rear rotors or to invest in CT Bobact's put me off. The EBC Yellowstuff is a true race pad, as opposed to the other choice - Ferodo DS2500 - and is much easier on the wallet. And fI figure I can switch back a forth between the EBC's and OEM pads for street use without too much concern over bedding compatability.

I will be trying this combo out at the track early next month, and will be sure to post a follow up.

[solflower]

Thanks for the reply. I've gone ahead and ordered the following:

1. Carbotech XP10's for the front. After lots of on-line research I found nothing but glowing remarks about CT pads - I can't say that about the others. I contacted CT directly and they recommended the XP10 over the XP12 for me because I run street Tires (Bridgestone RE-11's) as opposed to R comps. While XP12 may be a better pure track pad, the concern is that it might overwhelm the ability of the street tires.

2. EBC Yellowstuff for the rear. If money was no object I would have gone with Carbotech XP8, but the thought of having to have either dedicated rear rotors or to invest in CT Bobact's put me off. The EBC Yellowstuff is a true race pad, as opposed to the other choice - Ferodo DS2500 - and is much easier on the wallet. And fI figure I can switch back a forth between the EBC's and OEM pads for street use without too much concern over bedding compatability.

I will be trying this combo out at the track early next month, and will be sure to post a follow up.

I've been in a similar pad/rotor track planning stage and here is what Mike Jr at carbotech recommended for my 08 RS4:
XP10s in the front for the track and bobcats for the street (he said these two compounds play nicely together and can be used on the same rotor without re-bedding or resurfacing). I plan on only running 1 set of rotors and hoping they hold up under the XP10s in track conditions.

I went with the XP8s in the rear as he recommended that they would be well matched with the 10s in front on the track and be able to keep the car balanced under breaking. He suggested that you could get away with these pads in the rear on the street and would be a good match with the bobcats since most of the breaking is done in the front (I figure if they are way to aggressive for the street, i will order a set of bobcats and keep these as dedicated track pads). I was a little concerned about running "track" pads on the street in the rear but he assured me that they are very quiet, so im looking at this as kind of an experiment.

The rear calipers on the RS4 are a bit more challenging to swap pads and i didn't wanna make too much work for myself before every track day so im trying this setup. Ill report back when i a few track days under my belt.

I also just found these yesterday and am very excited to upgrade from the OEM cross-drilled rotors which i have chewed up pretty badly from my first 2 track days with this car. Im not sure if the RS 4 and the S5 share the same front brake setup (8 piston 4 pad brembo "RS" branded brake), if so this might be a great track upgrade for you:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?275149-NEW!-JHM-Lightweight-Front-Rotor-Rings-for-B7-RS4.-Drop-8lbs-amp-save-!-Intro-Pricing!&highlight=motorsports+rs4+rotor

[ChipB]

I'm sure the XP10/XP8 combo with Bobcats for street use will be great. Only reason I didn't go that way was cost - the price to get both sets of pads is $690, versus $325 for the way I went.

The S5 does not have the same OEM brake setup as the RS4 (unfortunately) - it has single caliper brakes front and rear, with plain rotors.

Be sure to let us know how the Carbotech's work out for you.

[swoardrider]

I've been in a similar pad/rotor track planning stage and here is what Mike Jr at carbotech recommended for my 08 RS4:
XP10s in the front for the track and bobcats for the street (he said these two compounds play nicely together and can be used on the same rotor without re-bedding or resurfacing). I plan on only running 1 set of rotors and hoping they hold up under the XP10s in track conditions.

I went with the XP8s in the rear as he recommended that they would be well matched with the 10s in front on the track and be able to keep the car balanced under breaking. He suggested that you could get away with these pads in the rear on the street and would be a good match with the bobcats since most of the breaking is done in the front (I figure if they are way to aggressive for the street, i will order a set of bobcats and keep these as dedicated track pads). I was a little concerned about running "track" pads on the street in the rear but he assured me that they are very quiet, so im looking at this as kind of an experiment.

The rear calipers on the RS4 are a bit more challenging to swap pads and i didn't wanna make too much work for myself before every track day so im trying this setup. Ill report back when i a few track days under my belt.

I also just found these yesterday and am very excited to upgrade from the OEM cross-drilled rotors which i have chewed up pretty badly from my first 2 track days with this car. Im not sure if the RS 4 and the S5 share the same front brake setup (8 piston 4 pad brembo "RS" branded brake), if so this might be a great track upgrade for you:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?275149-NEW!-JHM-Lightweight-Front-Rotor-Rings-for-B7-RS4.-Drop-8lbs-amp-save-!-Intro-Pricing!&highlight=motorsports+rs4+rotor

Meh....everything that people have been telling you about brakes is a load of sh*t! [:p]

[rmh]

Dredging up an old thread to get feedback from those above that said they'd provide it after those track sessions so long ago.

Carbotech XP10s are designed for cars far lighter than our S5s.

Ferodo DS2500s and EBC Yellow are my top picks for track. I'm thinking of EBC Red for street use to reduce the dust.

[swoardrider]

Dredging up an old thread to get feedback from those above that said they'd provide it after those track sessions so long ago.

Carbotech XP10s are designed for cars far lighter than our S5s.

Ferodo DS2500s and EBC Yellow are my top picks for track. I'm thinking of EBC Red for street use to reduce the dust.

Just got off the phone with Mike Jr. today. Their latest pad recommendation for pig heavy Audi's is the new XP20. They have found on heavier cars that it out performs all their other compounds, lasts longer, and surprisingly enough is more rotor friendly than their old XP12 compound.

[aaron1085]

ah excellent new post there my friend. When will you be doing a full review? Thinking of ditching the StaSiS street/track pad combo I run on the BBK as they are far overpriced and I am less and less pleased with their customer service.

[Spartan300]

Well I'm in the same dilemma as some of you guys, wasn't looking into the DS2500 but was considering the Pagid RS29/RS19, EBC yellow and currently running the Carbotech XP10 (front)/Carbothech XP8 (rear). Can't seem to find anyone that carries the RS29/RS19 or that lists them online that is.

I've also added Endless brake pads in the mix as a buddy of mine has bought them for his M3 and they offer a few choices (track, street/track, street only).

[swoardrider]

Well I'm in the same dilemma as some of you guys wasn't looking into the DS2500 but was considering the Pagid RS29/RS19, EBC yellow and currently run the Carbotech XP10 (fornt)/Carbothech XP8 (rear). Can't seem to find anyone that carries the RS29/RS19 or that lists them online that is.

I've also added Endless brake pads in the mix as a buddy of mine has bought them for his M3 and they offer a few choices (track, street/track, street only).

Any particular reason why you want to move away from the Carbotech's you are currently using?

[Spartan300]

Any particular reason why you want to move away from the Carbotech's you are currently using?


Can’t say anything really bad about the Carbotech pads. I probably should have gone with the XP12's in retrospect. I did however have an issue with my rear pads, had uneven wear (driver side inner pad) that caused grinding of the pad on the disc creating two grooves requiring a disc replacement.

I like to try different products to test for myself and right now the Pagids are quite high on my short list.