Hawk HPS 5.0 brake pads vs other non-stock alternatives?

[danmm7]

Anyone have experience with the Hawk HPS 5.0 brake pads on their S4? How are they compared to stock pads?

I need to replace my stock brake pads/rotors soon. I HATE the dust and the fact that i need to wash my wheels every 4-5 days. I love the braking power of the stock pads. I like the initial bite, the strong braking, the overall lack of noise or vibrations. I do NOT track my car, but i drive a lot, sometimes fast and often in nasty traffic. Quick, sudden stops are very common and important.

I am also reading about Akebono pads, everyone says they have no dust, but they have a weaker initial bite, not as grabby as stock pads, need to warm up, etc, etc. Not sure i want that. I want something more aggressive than Akebono but with less dust than stock pads. Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

[WJN S4]

Just had them installed this week, paired with Stoptech drilled rotors. Less than 200 miles so far, so still breaking in.. (thank you to EuroTech in Mahwah, NJ)

Initial impressions:
-Quiet! No more OEM squealing!!
-Less dust than OEM (still need to monitor long term comparison), but by now I would've had already black front wheels - and they still look clean right now.
-Less initial "bite" - but still extremely powerful and predictable stopping power. The GF commented that the brakes feel much more solid, than the OEM pads, OEM felt like a softer, squishier stop. In the bedding process, I was able to lock up and activate ABS in warm weather, just to show how powerful they can be. The OEM bite can get annoying.
-Cold start up braking power is a little soft, but goes away after 1-2 stops. Not a big deal, feeling overall is awesome after 1-2 stops - feels normal to me, which I know some people complain about.

I'm very happy with this setup.. In my previous cars, I would always be hesitant to go non OEM for the braking system.
After doing some research, and comparing how ridiculous OEM parts pricing has become, performance vs. $, there are plenty of excellent choices right now for the B8 S4 platform to consider.

[chilort]

I've had them for some time. I had Hawk HPS pads before these and I like the 5.0 better. The 5.0 do not work as well when cold. And when really cold and wet they may give you some ass puckering moments. Just be aware of this and plan ahead. I live in Georgia and only ran across this when visiting family who live further north in colder times of the years (if I had to deal with that problem regularly I would just run the HPS)..

[onlyaudis]

the Akebonos don't need to warm up--they are ideal for a street car. as far as the initial bite being less, thank God. the OEM set up is nearly impossible to modulate at light braking.

[sacandagaD]

the Akebonos don't need to warm up--they are ideal for a street car. as far as the initial bite being less, thank God. the OEM set up is nearly impossible to modulate at light braking.

+1

I just got the Akebono's with Slotted rotors and am looking forward to seeing how they perform after using OEM.

[eurotic]

This thread really illustrates how subjective braking is to everyone...this is not meant to knock anyone here.

I generally like the feel of the stock brakes and don't find them grabby at all, at least at normal drive and even at autocross. I find they can squeal quite a bit when cold but they weren't so bad this past winter, but there were days where it sounded like metal on metal.

It's good to hear everyone's opinions though. Those Hawk pads sound like they would be a waste for me. I need the brakes to stop when it is -30 C without question.

Right now at the top of my list are the Akebonos and the EBC Redstuffs based on the feedback on this forum.

[s42014DSG]

Also just had them installed with Zimmerman rotors and will report soon. Similar results to the above for now.

[grovlet]

I've always used Hawk HPS for all my cars - but I've been converted:
Porterfield R4-S

They really work well - low dust and even brake feel - just slightly less bite when cold, but they warm up quick - operate completely as advertised.

[waxxonMTL]

This thread really illustrates how subjective braking is to everyone...this is not meant to knock anyone here.

I generally like the feel of the stock brakes and don't find them grabby at all, at least at normal drive and even at autocross. I find they can squeal quite a bit when cold but they weren't so bad this past winter, but there were days where it sounded like metal on metal.

It's good to hear everyone's opinions though. Those Hawk pads sound like they would be a waste for me. I need the brakes to stop when it is -30 C without question.

Right now at the top of my list are the Akebonos and the EBC Redstuffs based on the feedback on this forum.

we live in similar condition, have you read review about akebonos being fine in cold as well ? I had HPS winter driven for 3 years on an another car and to me they felt just fine, but then again, I had nothing else really to compare to ( haven't drove another car in the past 4 years except now with the S4 on OEM pad) I learnt to modulate the initial bite honestly, but i wouldn't mind swapping for aftermarket if it can reduce brake dust ! will have to read review about akebono or go on with HPS.

[chilort]

I actually liked the stock pad 1) except for the dust, 2) the noise when cold, and 3) how fast they wore out. So, I guess I really didn't like them!

Porterfield is known for some damn good compounds. I might have to look into it. I love my 5.0s when it isn't cold.

[s42014DSG]

A few hundred miles in (maybe 2) and these pads are getting much better. Stopping power is increasing day by day. Not two days ago I was worried something was wrong. Much better re: dust. Non-existent initial bite compared to stock, I really only feel bite in the second half of the foot well: somewhat alarming at first, but it's improving every day.

[MrFunk]

I'm using RedStuff pads. Was using Akebono.
Akebono has lowest dust but least initial bite.
If you want a low dust pad you will loose initial bite. It can be somewhat made up with SS lines and better fluid though which will improve brake pedal feel...
The trade off of no dust is well worth it to me... Ultimate stopping power is not lacking with any of the pads.
Go with the Hawk pads or RedStuff... they are not as low dust as Akebono but provide a bit better initial bite...

[s42014DSG]

HPS 5.0 are now at the point after about 300-400 miles where they have close to acceptable initial bite and stop with confidence without triggering a harsh ABS response.

I also see next to no dust on my rims.

[skiptowncat]

I'm using yellow stuff pads with pagid discs. They work great but there is quite a bit of dust.

[WJN S4]

HPS 5.0 are now at the point after about 300-400 miles where they have close to acceptable initial bite and stop with confidence without triggering a harsh ABS response.

I also see next to no dust on my rims.

Put on similar miles so far, at least 2 gas tanks so far with mixed city and highway. Cold stopping is a non-issue, plenty of braking power on cold startup.. especially having some 30* mornings lately.
Usually I would've had blacked out wheels by now from brake dust... wheels look very clean, which is a weird feeling but amazing. So I am also in agreement with above.
Stopping power and initial "bite" is also a non-issue. If you need the car to stop, simply press harder and the car will stop on a dime without any problems. I'm loving the new feeling of the smooth braking, especially if you just need a slight touch coming into a turn, or slow traffic in front of you.

[s42014DSG]

After 700 miles, stopping power overall seems to have increased over stock, initial bite is good without risking whiplash lol and heat resistance in extreme driving situations seems improved also. Overall impressed with improvement over stock.

[Bruno_s4]

To bring this thread back to life.... has anyone taken the new HPS 5.0 to the track?

When I had a BBK on my B7 S4 I always swapped out to track pads (Carbotech XP12) but it's too much work on OEM brakes.
Have SS lines and will run better fluid but want something I can do 2-3 track days/year with.

For me, cost is not an issue.
Low dust would be nice but not the end of the world.
Too much noise is not acceptable though for a daily driver.

So has anyone pushed the 5.0 pads on the track?

Thx

[Zaxon55]

To bring this thread back to life.... has anyone taken the new HPS 5.0 to the track?

When I had a BBK on my B7 S4 I always swapped out to track pads (Carbotech XP12) but it's too much work on OEM brakes.
Have SS lines and will run better fluid but want something I can do 2-3 track days/year with.

For me, cost is not an issue.
Low dust would be nice but not the end of the world.
Too much noise is not acceptable though for a daily driver.

So has anyone pushed the 5.0 pads on the track?

Thx

I used aftermarket stoptech street performance pads and stock diameter stoptech drilled/slotted rotors on my daily and at the track (Which should be fairly similar). They do OK, but the track will push the cooling and stopping capabilities of this setup beyond it's limits. If you are going to do it, make sure you invest in a good high temp brake fluid, and just be aware that you will need to take cool-off sessions from the track fairly frequently.

[s42014DSG]

I wouldn't track except on the least intense circuits. I'm beginning to change my mind as to whether these pads are better than stock re: fade. Maybe a tad better but when they fade they lose pretty much 90% of power and scare me.