Originally Posted By: Carmudgeon
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Avoid Akebono at any cost if initial bite is important.
Forgot to add that, if not already evident, to avoid pads marketed as "ceramic" if that applies.
Akebono may seem like a punching bag, but their aftermarket lineup is all ceramic. It also applies to the ceramic pads made by performance brands like Hawk, which aren't as well-received as their other pads.
Ceramic pads provide a different experience, and generally don't "bite" as hard. Whether that's seen as positive or negative (particularly when weighed against other things like dust) is up to the user, but they do act differently.
In my own experience, I recently switched from what could be considered a street-performance pad (Axxis Ultimates) to a ceramic street pad (Textar ePad).
My initial aim wasn't to go the low-dust route, but then I started to lean that way, as long as the feel/performance sacrifice was acceptable. The totality of what I read told me that I probably wouldn't like the Akebono Euros, so I opted against them.
What little I did find on the Textar ePads suggested that they would better preserve those characteristics, while still providing a benefit in terms of cleanliness. They were also cheaper, and from a known quantity, so I took a flyer on them, and have generally been pleased.
I do find that they aren't as touchy/grabby at low speeds as the Ultimates (a GF pad, FWIW), and require more pedal pressure at high speeds to achieve the same level of deceleration.
But after some acclimation, I don't feel the urge to toss them, and to some surprise, I'm enjoying not having to clean the front wheels nearly as often the rears, which are still Ultimates. The next test will come in the winter cold and wet.
Can't say how much of the difference stems from going to a "performance" pad to a "street" pad, and how much from the "ceramic" element, but it is different, and thus far, wholly acceptable.
YMMV.
I think BMW uses Textar ePad on F15 X5 and some other F models here in the U.S. since American buyers of BMW's apparently have biggest issue with dust.
I find them better then Akebono, but not on par with good ole dusting BMW pads.
