Akebono pads on S5

[Ari1982]

Has anyone installed Akebono pads on S5? I know they are better for dust but does it affect the stopping distance? especially in combination with Zimmerman rotors.

[LAXlittleant26]

Has anyone installed Akebono pads on S5? I know they are better for dust but does it affect the stopping distance? especially in combination with Zimmerman rotors.

I have them installed on my '13 S5. It felt like the stopping power was better when compared against stock pads against stock rotors but I don't have the stats to back that up. I've also never run Zimmerman rotors.

2 cents. Hope it helps.

[Bluedl1000]

I have the Akebono pads on my 2016. As on my S4, feel weaker at first, then better over time. No stopping distance comparison.

Way better than stock for dust!

[Churchill]

I have Akebono Euro ceramic pads on my car. I've used them for about 6 months and can recommend them. Far less dust and stopping seems to be as good or better than OEM.

[Liquid99]

I've had mine for around 2 months now. At first it felt like it needed about 10% more foot pressure on the pedal, but now it's normal. The lack of brake dust is fantastic.

[i1overice]

I have Akebono Euro ceramic pads on my car. I've used them for about 6 months and can recommend them. Far less dust and stopping seems to be as good or better than OEM.

I've had mine for around 2 months now. At first it felt like it needed about 10% more foot pressure on the pedal, but now it's normal. The lack of brake dust is fantastic.

Need the pads to heat up more. That's why there seems to be less initial bite.

Very common.

I use these ceramic pads on my 10 S5. no problems here. Even tracked them.

[ColtS5]

I love mine as well. Switched from Hawk. The breaking feel is more consistent through the entire pedal distance. They seem to be easier on rotors, where as the Hawks ate my ECS rotors previously. Not sure if that was an ECS or Hawk issue, though I never had the issue on the past with Hawks and other rotors.

Low dust, good feel, and no fade. I love these pads.

[diego_demarco]

Is it hard to install these yourself on the front brakes? Just received my akebono front pads in the mail but I'm wondering if I should have a shop do it!

[Mr. Spectacular]

i have the ceramics. my rims are 1000 times cleaner. that was my main motivation, but the bite seems fine as well!

[BoostEasy]

I put the Akebonos on my 2014 S5. The initial bite when cold goes down a bit and overall IMO the braking experience becomes more linear. You press harder, you get more, very predictably. Leads you to press a bit harder for the first 1/3 of stopping power to stop like OEM but once past some point, it's all about the same.

It took me a few days to get used to it. Now I don't notice it at all. I does brake a lot like my wife's 03 Camry which has the same type of pad on it.

Does seem pretty easy on the rotors too.

FWIW I just threw the pads on without touching the OEM rotors at around 10k mi and no issues at all.

[diego_demarco]

Did you guys apply any lubrication to the pads? I've had my posi quiet pads and ecs rotors on for about 5k miles now but I'm tired of the dust so a buddy of mine is installing the akebonos tonight

[GSS5]

they are worth it for the reduced brake dust alone.

the only thing i don't like about them is the reduced initial bite vs stock pads. i'm not sure about overall stopping power but i'm sure it's similar if not the same as oem.

[BoostEasy]

Did you guys apply any lubrication to the pads? I've had my posi quiet pads and ecs rotors on for about 5k miles now but I'm tired of the dust so a buddy of mine is installing the akebonos tonight

Yes. Always lube up the metal to metal parts without going crazy. Less lube = better.

[BoostEasy]

they are worth it for the reduced brake dust alone.

the only thing i don't like about them is the reduced initial bite vs stock pads. i'm not sure about overall stopping power but i'm sure it's similar if not the same as oem.

Agreed. The brakes feel a little less "sporty" and more like my wife's Camry after the pad swap. But given how much I hate cleaning my AG M590s, it was definitely worth it. I don't really notice the difference in brake feel any more.

[ColtS5]

Fronts are easy, lots of writes ups and very straight forward. The pistons can be pushed back very easily.

The rears are a little more complicated, but easy if you have a VAG and brake piston tools.