Recommendations for brake pads?

**Shaun Perry** · 06-16-2016 10:44 PM

2012 S4 coming on 27k miles.

Brake light is on in the middle and the red "BRAKE" letters to the right(that are there when the parking brake is engaged).

(Random observation) I feel like the car is dragging. Like for example in a car with a manual foot or hand parking brake. As if the brake is slightly engaged, like 20% or something, just feels like something is halting the car from driving freely. Don't know if there's any valid truth behind this observation but I can sort of "feel" something like this.

Anyway, everything is completely stock. My question to everyone is do I just go and have what needs to be replaced with OEM components? Is there a crowd favorite of upgraded pads that people like? Do I go all in and go for a BBK upgrade? Do I not?

If it helps, the car may or may not be going EPL stage 2 tune and TCU tune, but that won't be happening anytime soon. If I upgrade, I would like it to suffice the performance expectation but I don't track the car or need anything too excessive.

Would love to hear input, or to get ahead of the game, go ahead and paste links for threads where this may have been discussed already, and sorry in advance if this post is too newb for some of the people out there who might just roast me for posting this?

Thank you

**whiped** · 06-17-2016 12:08 AM

Unless you plan on tracking the car you probably don't need a BBK.

See this thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ecommendations

As we were just talking about this :)

**Shaun Perry** · 06-17-2016 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by whiped

Unless you plan on tracking the car you probably don't need a BBK.

See this thread: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ecommendations

As we were just talking about this :)

Thank you for that.

And maybe you can answer, the two lights I have on in the dash. Are they specific to front brakes or rear brakes? Or is it just a warning regardless of which sensor is going off? I'll have my mechanic check either way but was just thinking of ordering the parts and then going for install, save me a trip.

**jimrobbington** · 06-17-2016 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by Shaun Perry

Thank you for that.

And maybe you can answer, the two lights I have on in the dash. Are they specific to front brakes or rear brakes? Or is it just a warning regardless of which sensor is going off? I'll have my mechanic check either way but was just thinking of ordering the parts and then going for install, save me a trip.

The light on the dash are triggered by a single sensor on one of the front pads. So there's a possibility you're rears are fine. I'm guessing it's normal to have both the yellow pad warning in the center, and the red BRAKE warning light as well because I have both active for worn brakes as well.

Akebono pads are pretty much the favorite around here. Almost zero dust compared to OEM, and no squeal. Pretty much everybody and their mom will tell you to replace rotors as well. I just picked up all 4 Meyle rotors and Akebono pads all around for $404 shipped from fcpeuro.com. You won't beat that deal on any brake setup for this car anywhere. If you want slotted/drilled, you are looking closer to $800-1000 on the cheap side for parts alone.

**torinalth** · 06-17-2016 06:17 AM

akebono for low dust and no noise, I also hated the OEM hard bite at the initial engagement that made it a pain to make small braking adjustments at low speed. I just resurfaced my oem rotors and used the akebonos. replacements go with ECS geomet or zimmerman. slotted I'd go with ECS again or powerslot. for more stock like pads try stoptech pads.

**AudiSTL** · 06-17-2016 07:14 AM

had mine akebono for less than 1000 miles but love them low dust

**hotleadsingergu** · 06-17-2016 08:06 AM

Not to denigrate, but this is really something that could have been solved with a search. There are countless threads about brakes every week, and every one pretty much comes to the same conclusion:

Buy Akebono and don't look back.

**14S4GWM** · 06-17-2016 09:23 AM

^ All of what he said.

I have Akeebono and love the no dust. The wear sensor should be on the driver side front.

**SteveYem** · 06-17-2016 09:30 AM

I'll also endorse the Akebono option. I have them in my rear brakes and can attest to the low dust level, silent operation, and minimized initial bite.

**Shaun Perry** · 06-17-2016 09:56 AM

Thank you everyone! Akebono will take the vote. Just deciding now on the rotors. I like the drilled and slotted from ECS. They're the same price as the slotted.

Although that Meyle rotor akebono pads for $404 shipped front AND rear seems pretty amazing.

**jimrobbington** · 06-17-2016 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Shaun Perry

Thank you everyone! Akebono will take the vote. Just deciding now on the rotors. I like the drilled and slotted from ECS. They're the same price as the slotted.

Although that Meyle rotor akebono pads for $404 shipped front AND rear seems pretty amazing.

Yeah, with my current budget, I couldn't justify more expensive brakes just for looks. Every penny I save is another penny i can spend on tuning one of these days...

**doughboy17** · 06-17-2016 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by SteveYem

I'll also endorse the Akebono option. I have them in my rear brakes and can attest to the low dust level, silent operation, and minimized initial bite.

Just to clarify, are the Akeebono s to which you are referring ceramic?

**sacandagaD** · 06-17-2016 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by doughboy17

Just to clarify, are the Akeebono s to which you are referring ceramic?

They are.

**cspcrx** · 06-17-2016 03:02 PM

I have been running the Akebono pads now for two full weeks and the rears, which are still stock, are now making more brake dust then the fronts. I heard others mention how much better these pads were on dust but wow. Also the stupid brake squeal is gone that was so annoying is gone. When it is time for rears I am going to do the same setup as the front. Really happy with it so far.

**Shaun Perry** · 07-29-2016 11:44 PM

Question. After self installing new brake pads and rotors and installing the new wear sensor.

Will vag-com be needed to reset the system? Will the "brake" in red letters and the yellow brake icon light still show up.

Or will the system reset itself once it sees a new wear sensor in place?

**mike907** · 07-30-2016 07:46 PM

My brake error went away with new sensor installed on first fire up

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine mobile app

**Shaun Perry** · 07-31-2016 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by mike907

My brake error went away with new sensor installed on first fire up

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine mobile app

Thank you for clarifying

**EstorilS4** · 07-31-2016 09:26 PM

I put EBC Redstuff with EBC USR slotted and I'm very happy. Mostly, ZERO squeal and minimal dust.

**Shaun Perry** · 08-01-2016 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by EstorilS4

I put EBC Redstuff with EBC USR slotted and I'm very happy. Mostly, ZERO squeal and minimal dust.

I'm going with akebono pads and the ecs drilled slotted rotors all from ECS.

**sacandagaD** · 08-01-2016 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Shaun Perry

I'm going with akebono pads and the ecs drilled slotted rotors all from ECS.

I have the ECS slotted with Akebonos and they are dead silent and no dust.

**EuroBeast** · 08-01-2016 04:38 PM

i have a brembo bbk upfront and just recently did rear brakes with akebono pads. love the low dust and no issues

**PSUGOLD** · 08-02-2016 07:26 AM

I am getting mine done tomorrow. I went with Hawk HPS pads with the ECS kit here: https://www.ecstuning.com/ES2597368/

**A.C.** · 08-02-2016 08:37 AM

I've used Hawk pads and PowerSlot rotors on both of my Jettas Mk3 VR6 and MK4 GLI and they worked great. Although a different kind of beast I would think they would work in similar fashion. Now that my new baby needs shoes I may have to revisit this option.