Carbotech Brake Pads Or EBC Brake Pads

[Goped220]

I am wondering which pad is better andy why?

[4flow]

Same delima as you bro.

[artinmoTTion]

Everyone here will give you their opinion based on what they've used, and you can of course read the propaganda from each company. That in mind, I'd send you toward the carbotechs. Have had several sets now and really have liked the bobcats for street/autoX/light track, and their heavier duty track pads for track days. Rotor friendly part ceramic compound, lighter dusting, work well with minimal warm up on cold days. Remember to also change out your fluid for some good racing fluid if your car might see some track time. Not too expensive anyway.

[Goped220]

artinmoTTion, do you know about Carbotech XP-12 Pads? Are these the race pads you are talking about?

Thanks

[johnnybravo!]

I am wondering which pad is better andy why?

Carbotech!! Why? Because i use them..

[supamannn99]

hawk hps.

[agkellyboy]

I'd look to go with the Bobcats (get them at PureMS) for the street and the XP series for dedicated track use

[Louis J.]

I've done quite a bit or research lately on this topic and will be buying Carbotec. Call Danny at Carbotec and ask him what pad to use for your application needs. He told me Bobcats for street and XP10F and XP8R for track. They also have an AutoX pad that may work well enough for the occasional track day but he won't tell you that.

[4flow]

Just bought the;
Street pads:

*CT915 (Front), CT1108 (Back).

As well as track pads:

*XP10 (Front), XP8 (Back)

-As recomended directly from Carbotech. http://www.ctbrakes.com/index.html

[felondnb]

I've been running EBC Red Stuff for a month now & they're alot better than the standard ones & pretty cheap too. They bite well & most importantly for me (!) they don't bloody squeal!

[Unleaded20T]

Hmmm... those are race pads. I had some experience with the XP10 and they are really noisy when you are not on the track.

Go to brembos! :)

[Louis J.]

I guess it would be smart for the OP to establish what "best" means. Best for what???

Unleaded: Carbotec is not a race pad...it's a brand. They have street pads too as per the above posts.

[Doctor]

Ferodo DS 2500 for me...
Make a little noise, but when you brake with them you get the point...

[felondnb]

Hmmm... those are race pads. I had some experience with the XP10 and they are really noisy when you are not on the track.

Go to brembos! :)

Yeah the manufacturers make a variety of grades & compounds for race/fast road/etc... fast road (red stuff) is what i went for. they're very quiet in operation.

[RedS-line]

carbotech has a nice website there. do all of their pads come with the wear sensors that we need for our audis?

[Unleaded20T]

I still have stock pads on my B7 and I know that Carbotech makes different types of compounds for different uses. I've had an amazing experience with their pads and rotors and I've been using them for almost 2 years now on my other car thanks to a friend from the corvetteforum, until a month or so ago since I made the switch to brembos.

It was my mistake because I was being specific for the XP10 pads and didn't mention it on my previous post, so I apologize Louis J.

I'm sure that when the time comes for me to replace pads, I will be buying Carbotech.

[Louis J.]

Hey man, no apology needed. So, to clarify, have you used the bobcats or the autox pads by any chance? How do they compare to the brembos? Sorry, I'm just not clear...the first post you said go for brembos and on your second you say you'll be going with carbotec. Can you clarify?

[artinmoTTion]

I believe I'm using the XP10's. Bobcats for street/autoX.

Very recommended.

[Goped220]

What do you guys think of Pagid Pads?

[Unleaded20T]

Hey man, no apology needed. So, to clarify, have you used the bobcats or the autox pads by any chance? How do they compare to the brembos? Sorry, I'm just not clear...the first post you said go for brembos and on your second you say you'll be going with carbotec. Can you clarify?

Its quite simple: I have two cars, the A4 for daily driving and a Z06 for the track. I had a A8 but the lease ended and since I don't have a big family also gas was killing my pocket. I wanted something that I could tune and have some fun on the street so I got the A4.

I had the stock z06 brakes and to replace the pads on those its a pain in the neck because they are too small. Carbotech offers new rotors and better pads that last longer but there was a design problem for the corvette rotors (which they were able to fix but to my satisfaction) and then I made the switch to brembos.

The reason I made the switch to brembos is because to replace the pads is really easy, they last longer and of course everyone that is racing professionally is using Brembo Brakes.

I got a good deal on those and I am really happy. The reason that I like Carbotech is because they performed really well for me, never had the problem with the exception of the design for the Z06 which is not a problem with Audi Rotors and the pads that they offer for us audi owners. So when its time to replace my brakes on my A4 I will buy Carbotech.

[Mike@PureMS]

Carbotech offers a number of pads for a variety of applications.
Bobcat - Their street low dusting compound
AX6 - Their light duty track, autox pad.
XP8, 10, 12 - Race pads.

None of the Carbotech pads come with wear sensors for the Audi. This however isn't a big issue, and can easily be overrided.

We're one of Carbotech's largest Audi/VW distributor, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We carry their full line!

[RedS-line]

thanks for the info. do the hawk pads include sensors or is this not a common thing for aftermarket in general?

[aaron1085]

reference this link: http://www.zeckhausen.com/avoiding_brake_judder.htm

I'm looking at running my akebono ceramics on the street (as they have LOW dust and stop better than OEM) and am leaning towards dedicated track pads for events (1-2 a year). I will not be swapping rotors; which is why I referenced the article above.

Thoughts? XP8, 10, other???

[swoardrider]

reference this link: http://www.zeckhausen.com/avoiding_brake_judder.htm

I'm looking at running my akebono ceramics on the street (as they have LOW dust and stop better than OEM) and am leaning towards dedicated track pads for events (1-2 a year). I will not be swapping rotors; which is why I referenced the article above.

Thoughts? XP8, 10, other???

If you are running dedicated track pads, you should be running the XP10's or 12's, as our cars are heavy. 8's are good for the rear if you decide you want to change out those too. I wouldn't mix the Akebonos with the Carbotechs, unless Carbotech says it's OK to mix the compounds (which I doubt they will OK this). Carbotech designs their different friction materials to "play" well with one another. The most convenient set up would be to run their Bobcats front and rear on the street, then switch just the fronts out to the XP10's on the track.
If you don't want to throw away the Akebonos, then run those for 1 track day. That will probably finish them off, then lightly turn your rotors, then run the Carbotech family of pads from then on out.

[aaron1085]

hmm...interesting. I guess perhaps I should call Carbotech. gosh, was trying to save some cash, but looks like I may have to slide this one past the fiance and purchase new street/track pads.....errr

[swoardrider]

Like I said, burn your current street pads up at the track. Then you'll be forced to have to buy all new pads