Dustless brake pads for 2018 and newer S5

[humphammer]

I have researched and everyone seems to like Akebono Euro Ceramics for a dust free pad. However, they apparently do not make pads for 2018 and newer S5's. Does anyone have any suggestions on a fairly dust free pad for a 2018 S5. I do not track or drive my car hard and am really tired of having to wash my wheels every other day. Thanks in advance for any replies.

[zztroyzz]

I’ve been started looking at options too. Ceramic pads like the EBC red stuff can reduce dust by about 30% apparently. Reviews I’ve read describe them as good linear braking power but not as good initial bite as OEM. Sounds like these will forever need to be cleaned regardless to me.

[humphammer]

I’ve been started looking at options too. Ceramic pads like the EBC red stuff can reduce dust by about 30% apparently. Reviews I’ve read describe them as good linear braking power but not as good initial bite as OEM. Sounds like these will forever need to be cleaned regardless to me.

After much research and watching of YouTube reviews I have decided to go with PowerStop Z23 Evolution Sport Brake Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Pads. They also have reasonably priced slotted and drilled rotors which I don't need. The reviews are very positive especially on the brake dust issues and they are not that expensive. Several reviews on the EBC red stuff pads showed they were almost if not as bad as stock pads as far as dust issues went. Hope this helps. https://www.powerstop.com/ And Rockauto.com was the cheapest price I could find.

[Burrcold]

I went with Akebono ceramic pads on a previous car, and couldn't stand how mushy the initial travel was and what felt like reduced overall increase in stopping distance. They also squealed when it was wet out. Hopefully these Powerstop ones are better. I had to switch back to the OEM pads after about a month it was that annoying.

[Mops@Nemesis]

The EBC Red is the best balanced low dust pad from my experience. The Hawk HPS 5.0 has been the lowest dust, but the Red has a better bite.

[SHCKR]

The EBC Red is the best balanced low dust pad from my experience. The Hawk HPS 5.0 has been the lowest dust, but the Red has a better bite.

What he said

[GoneQuantum]

Subbed for your thoughts on the PowerStops - saw a few people on YouTube use them and seem to like them.

[humphammer]

Subbed for your thoughts on the PowerStops - saw a few people on YouTube use them and seem to like them.

I plan on installing them this coming week. I'll give my thoughts on them after a couple weeks of use.

[BrainDr]

I'm also debating between switching from stock (just tripped the pad sensor) and going EBC redstuff vs the much better priced (and more easily available) Powerstop Z23. Any comment on direct comparison between these two pads in anyone's experience? The price difference is significant. Power stop <100 off Amazon vs $300+ for EBC redstuff. I don't track, but I am a spirited driver and it would be a daily car.

I keep seeing LOTS of variance on the both pads in terms of initial bite. Dust is not a huge concern for me, I want good stopping power when I need it obviously

[Rob01S4]

The EBC Red is the best balanced low dust pad from my experience. The Hawk HPS 5.0 has been the lowest dust, but the Red has a better bite.

That’s disappointing to hear regarding the dust.. I have the Hawk 5.0 pads and I can’t stand them with dust nor bite.

[humphammer]

Subbed for your thoughts on the PowerStops - saw a few people on YouTube use them and seem to like them.

Installed the PowerStop Z23 Evolution brake pads today and after breaking them in put about 40 miles on them in mixed driving. I went with just pads on the front but did replace the rotors in the rear with the PowerStop drilled and slotted ones. Everything fit just fine, and installation was a breeze. No squeaks or unusual noises but man did they ever stink during the break-in process. I've seen people say the pedal is mushy and they didn't have good bite, but I didn't experience any of that. In fact, I can't really tell much difference in pedal feel and stopping power from the factory set-up. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed in the way they perform in bringing your car to a stop at least in everyday normal driving. As far as dust goes too soon to tell on that front. I'll give my thoughts on that after a few days of driving.

[GoneQuantum]

Installed the PowerStop Z23 Evolution brake pads today and after breaking them in put about 40 miles on them in mixed driving. I went with just pads on the front but did replace the rotors in the rear with the PowerStop drilled and slotted ones. Everything fit just fine, and installation was a breeze. No squeaks or unusual noises but man did they ever stink during the break-in process. I've seen people say the pedal is mushy and they didn't have good bite, but I didn't experience any of that. In fact, I can't really tell much difference in pedal feel and stopping power from the factory set-up. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed in the way they perform in bringing your car to a stop at least in everyday normal driving. As far as dust goes too soon to tell on that front. I'll give my thoughts on that after a few days of driving.

Sounds promising so far. When I put ceramic pads on my S4 I did notice a slight drop in initial bite, but overall feel as you pushed the brake pedal down was totally fine (for my usage in spirited street driving only).

Looking forward to hear updates on the dust situation as that is my main concern.

[humphammer]

Sounds promising so far. When I put ceramic pads on my S4 I did notice a slight drop in initial bite, but overall feel as you pushed the brake pedal down was totally fine (for my usage in spirited street driving only).

Looking forward to hear updates on the dust situation as that is my main concern.

Here are my thoughts on the PowerStop Z23 Evolution pads and rotors. My car is a 2018 S5 and I have BBS wheels with a machined face and dark gray accents. After 4 days of driving, I can say the PowerStops have significantly less brake dust than the factory set-up. The face of the wheels had virtually no dust at all. The inner part of the wheel had just a little bit of dust when I rubbed my finger over it. In comparison, after 4 days of driving with the factory pads my wheels would be black with dust. I will say the back wheels seemed to have just a little more dust than the fronts. I kept the front factory rotors that had less than 5,000 miles on them but did replace the rear rotors with the PowerStop drilled and slotted rotors. So, if you are looking just for a lower dust set-up you might opt for a rotor that isn't drilled and slotted.

As far as breaking performance I am very satisfied. The pedal is firm, no squeaking, or unusual noises. From a 50-60 mph stop I can't tell any difference between the PowerStops and the factory pads. In stop and go driving at lower speeds the PowerStops are not quite as grabby which to me is a plus. At any rate I highly recommend the PowerStops at least in the short term.......if they are durable remains to be seen, but at their price point they would be hard to beat.

[GoneQuantum]

Here are my thoughts on the PowerStop Z23 Evolution pads and rotors. My car is a 2018 S5 and I have BBS wheels with a machined face and dark gray accents. After 4 days of driving, I can say the PowerStops have significantly less brake dust than the factory set-up. The face of the wheels had virtually no dust at all. The inner part of the wheel had just a little bit of dust when I rubbed my finger over it. In comparison, after 4 days of driving with the factory pads my wheels would be black with dust. I will say the back wheels seemed to have just a little more dust than the fronts. I kept the front factory rotors that had less than 5,000 miles on them but did replace the rear rotors with the PowerStop drilled and slotted rotors. So, if you are looking just for a lower dust set-up you might opt for a rotor that isn't drilled and slotted.

As far as breaking performance I am very satisfied. The pedal is firm, no squeaking, or unusual noises. From a 50-60 mph stop I can't tell any difference between the PowerStops and the factory pads. In stop and go driving at lower speeds the PowerStops are not quite as grabby which to me is a plus. At any rate I highly recommend the PowerStops at least in the short term.......if they are durable remains to be seen, but at their price point they would be hard to beat.

Awesome. Really appreciate the detailed follow-up. I'm sold on them - guess this will be the first "mod" on my S5 once it gets here!

[b9pressure]

im on Hawk street ceramic Pads (not the 5.0 version) and cquence drilled/slotted rotors. The combo works well for me, noticeably less brake dust than OEM and can still stop on a dime even with slightly less bite than OEM. Current setup has about 8-9k miles on it and depending on how long they last, i'll probably go with the same setup again. The hawks give off a lighter more grayish dust that i start seeing maybe 2-3 days after cleaning (matte black wheels).

[chrisd123]

How do you know you just tripped the pad sensor? Is there an indicator or did you just hear a noise?

[SHCKR]

How do you know you just tripped the pad sensor? Is there an indicator or did you just hear a noise?

You'll get a warning light

[chrisd123]

Thanks, I hear my brakes grinding when I come to a stop. like sandpaper. no wheel wobble or anything.

[a4audi4fun]

Thanks, I hear my brakes grinding when I come to a stop. like sandpaper. no wheel wobble or anything.

Assuming you're not expecting pads to be way down, it could just be uneven dirt/deposits/etc on the rotors/pads - try a few really hard stops in a safe location to see if anything clears up.

[rhcp4life]

What is the average Mileage that people are having to replace their pads? I know this will vary I'm at about 55k and ready to have less dust, but also not going to change them until needed.

[SHCKR]

What is the average Mileage that people are having to replace their pads? I know this will vary I'm at about 55k and ready to have less dust, but also not going to change them until needed.

20-25K

[BrainDr]

Uodate, I went with the z23 powers tops and absolutely love the performance AND price is a bonus from Amazon. I purchased the ebc red stuff but returned them. Fraction of the price for the same performance. Unbelievable. I installed basic coated Zimmerman rotors and cheap pad sensors. Love the outcome.

[humphammer]

Uodate, I went with the z23 powers tops and absolutely love the performance AND price is a bonus from Amazon. I purchased the ebc red stuff but returned them. Fraction of the price for the same performance. Unbelievable. I installed basic coated Zimmerman rotors and cheap pad sensors. Love the outcome.

Same here. After 3 weeks of driving, I can definitively say these pads are as dust free as any pads I've ever had. Maybe 25% as much dust as the factory pads had. I don't track my car so I can't say how they would hold up there but just in normal everyday driving they are excellent. Smooth linear non grabby with zero squeaks or unwanted noises. I am impressed with these at any price but especially at their price point.

[TexasBaseball]

I need to do this badly. My rims get absolutely caked after a couple days

[GoneQuantum]

For anyone considering this, I just ordered the fronts AND rears from Amazon for a total of $74...the fronts are currently on sale for $29.

Can anyone here confirm if Z23-1898 is the correct part number for the rears? It was tough to find info on the rears for some reason. The few places that did have info had 1898 listed, so I went with it

[A7Prestige]

For anyone considering this, I just ordered the fronts AND rears from Amazon for a total of $74...the fronts are currently on sale for $29.

Can anyone here confirm if Z23-1898 is the correct part number for the rears? It was tough to find info on the rears for some reason. The few places that did have info had 1898 listed, so I went with it

That is correct. I've replaced the front and back and they're fantastic so far. Have bite similar to OEM in my opinion.

[GoneQuantum]

Just thought I'd follow up to my earlier post, installation was quick and easy as expected.

Only difference I noticed installing on my '23 S5 is that the factory rear pads have separate hardware that clips onto the caliper carrier, while the powerstops have the retainer spring built into the pads.

Haven't driven the car a ton since install (maybe 100 miles) as it is in the shop getting PPF work done, but I already like the pedal feels much better and dust difference is night and day, as others have stated.

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