Akebono vs Centric vs Brembo vs Stoptech - Brake Pads
09-07-16, 12:13 PM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
Typically when it comes to brake pads, theres no free rides. They either perform well/dust a lot/wear quickly (as the stock Lexus pads do, same as BMW and Porsche, etc) or they last a long time, don't dust, bite not as good.
Lexus chose to go the performance route. Ever wonder why BMWs from the 2000s are always seen with dirty black wheels from brake dust but at the same time were praised by automotive journalists all over the world for having the "Best Brakes in the Business"? That's why. Because they perform.
Will brake pads that don't dust as much stop your car just as fast as stock? Yes and no. It's not really about how fast your car can stop, but rather the feel, cold bite, and how fast you can stop multiple times. All these characteristics must be taken into account when a manufacturer chooses a supplier for their pads. There's also pricing and servicing considerations as well. Cars like Camrys, Corollas, Civics, etc. dont need brakes that necessarily perform so naturally they don't dust. Manufacturer's dont dust their premium cars with dusty brake pads just for the heck of it. There's a good reason. So by choosing an alternative brake pad due to dust considerations, just know there is going to be some sacrifice somewhere that may not be realized in your particular daily driving habits. (Which is fine for most people) but that doesn't win praise of automotive journalists and cars that don't get praise don't sell as well.
Lexus chose to go the performance route. Ever wonder why BMWs from the 2000s are always seen with dirty black wheels from brake dust but at the same time were praised by automotive journalists all over the world for having the "Best Brakes in the Business"? That's why. Because they perform.
Will brake pads that don't dust as much stop your car just as fast as stock? Yes and no. It's not really about how fast your car can stop, but rather the feel, cold bite, and how fast you can stop multiple times. All these characteristics must be taken into account when a manufacturer chooses a supplier for their pads. There's also pricing and servicing considerations as well. Cars like Camrys, Corollas, Civics, etc. dont need brakes that necessarily perform so naturally they don't dust. Manufacturer's dont dust their premium cars with dusty brake pads just for the heck of it. There's a good reason. So by choosing an alternative brake pad due to dust considerations, just know there is going to be some sacrifice somewhere that may not be realized in your particular daily driving habits. (Which is fine for most people) but that doesn't win praise of automotive journalists and cars that don't get praise don't sell as well.
09-07-16, 01:51 PM
#17
here is my experience as wholesaler and I have used all these brands
Akebono is the best no noise and no dust its one of my best pads I have ever used in my life.
Centric pads are very good low brake dust and no noise and that all depends how good ur rotors are.
Brembo just hit the market so u cant compare it to the real Brembo pads those are whole different material they use, they are not bad but I have not used it on a GS before.
Stoptech is the same as Centric same company, the 309 series is very good pads lots of dust, but stops good specially when they warm up I had those on my BBK .
so I would use the Akebono specially those guys with the F-Sport package and they wont replace the 2 pc rotors and they gonna pad slap it, those pads work great.
Akebono is the best no noise and no dust its one of my best pads I have ever used in my life.
Centric pads are very good low brake dust and no noise and that all depends how good ur rotors are.
Brembo just hit the market so u cant compare it to the real Brembo pads those are whole different material they use, they are not bad but I have not used it on a GS before.
Stoptech is the same as Centric same company, the 309 series is very good pads lots of dust, but stops good specially when they warm up I had those on my BBK .
so I would use the Akebono specially those guys with the F-Sport package and they wont replace the 2 pc rotors and they gonna pad slap it, those pads work great.
Would appreciate your insight,
~ Im2bz2p345
Last edited by Im2bz2p345; 09-07-16 at 01:56 PM.
09-07-16, 04:32 PM
#18
Lexus Test Driver
Well lots of OEM pads on Lexus is Akebono or sumitomo and now they are changing it to Advics, if you look on the caliper there should be a casting on it it says Advics, just like the rotors are also, all depends I never understood y do they keep on changing it unless the company dont want to make pads any more , or they just want to try something new, but I I will take Akebono pads over anything , and specially German cars the guys love it there is no brake dust and BMW and MB is known for that.
09-07-16, 04:41 PM
#19
Lexus Test Driver
Typically when it comes to brake pads, theres no free rides. They either perform well/dust a lot/wear quickly (as the stock Lexus pads do, same as BMW and Porsche, etc) or they last a long time, don't dust, bite not as good.
Lexus chose to go the performance route. Ever wonder why BMWs from the 2000s are always seen with dirty black wheels from brake dust but at the same time were praised by automotive journalists all over the world for having the "Best Brakes in the Business"? That's why. Because they perform.
Will brake pads that don't dust as much stop your car just as fast as stock? Yes and no. It's not really about how fast your car can stop, but rather the feel, cold bite, and how fast you can stop multiple times. All these characteristics must be taken into account when a manufacturer chooses a supplier for their pads. There's also pricing and servicing considerations as well. Cars like Camrys, Corollas, Civics, etc. dont need brakes that necessarily perform so naturally they don't dust. Manufacturer's dont dust their premium cars with dusty brake pads just for the heck of it. There's a good reason. So by choosing an alternative brake pad due to dust considerations, just know there is going to be some sacrifice somewhere that may not be realized in your particular daily driving habits. (Which is fine for most people) but that doesn't win praise of automotive journalists and cars that don't get praise don't sell as well.
Lexus chose to go the performance route. Ever wonder why BMWs from the 2000s are always seen with dirty black wheels from brake dust but at the same time were praised by automotive journalists all over the world for having the "Best Brakes in the Business"? That's why. Because they perform.
Will brake pads that don't dust as much stop your car just as fast as stock? Yes and no. It's not really about how fast your car can stop, but rather the feel, cold bite, and how fast you can stop multiple times. All these characteristics must be taken into account when a manufacturer chooses a supplier for their pads. There's also pricing and servicing considerations as well. Cars like Camrys, Corollas, Civics, etc. dont need brakes that necessarily perform so naturally they don't dust. Manufacturer's dont dust their premium cars with dusty brake pads just for the heck of it. There's a good reason. So by choosing an alternative brake pad due to dust considerations, just know there is going to be some sacrifice somewhere that may not be realized in your particular daily driving habits. (Which is fine for most people) but that doesn't win praise of automotive journalists and cars that don't get praise don't sell as well.
Long story short, he left his house one day on a cool fall morning and drove about ½ mile on a city street at 40 mph. He came to an stoplight intersection where the car ahead of him stopped rather abruptly when the light turned yellow. He was not following too closely, but when he applied his brakes his car did not stop in time because his [aftermarket] brakes were cold and didn't have the cold bite that vehicles with factory brakes universally have. His car rear-ended the car in front of him at relatively slow speed and the car he hit was pushed across the intersection where it was T-boned by a Ford F-350 pulling a heavily loaded trailer. One dead, one critically injured, and a seriously injured toddler.
Tail of the tape - the driver of the BMW, who caused the deadly accident, complained that his brakes did not stop his car quick enough. He blamed the brakes for the accident. He was asked if he had any brake work done recently... The brake pads he chose were chosen by him because they produced less brake dust yet was advertised to have equal or better stopping performance...but ONLY after the brakes were heated-up to optimum temperature, which is typical of many high-end aftermarket brake pads.
Bottom line - that man will never get over the fact that he caused the death of an 30-something year-old woman (cardiologist); the mother of a toddler child and the wife of a loving husband (anesthesiologist). The BMW owner was sued for many times the man's vehicle insurance coverage. I never heard what the final settlement totaled, but it entailed both medical as well a wrongful death personal injury lawsuit. The wrongful death personal injury lawsuit brought against the BMW owner was rumored to be for many millions of dollars that far exceeded the man's vehicle insurance coverage, as well as exceeding his net worth. Within 18 months the BMW owner (orthodontist, husband and father of two) filed for bankruptcy. I'd say this man made a very bad decision on which brake pads to install to reduce brake dust...
Last edited by bclexus; 09-07-16 at 05:03 PM.
09-07-16, 04:50 PM
#20
Hi everyone. I did a search and found most people on here who desire low brake dust replacing their OEM pads with either Akebono, Centric, Brembo or Stoptech pads. I was wondering if anybody had recommendations of one over the other? Looking for low dust, low noise, and OEM/high stopping power.
Here are the specific pads I'm looking at:
- Akebono - ProAct Ceramic Pads (#ACT1118)
- Centric - Posi Quiet Ceramic Pads (#105.11180)
- Brembo - Ceramic Brake Pads (#P83072N)
- Stoptech - Sport Pads (#309.11180) (not ceramic, but claims low dust)
I have a '14 RWD F-Sport and will be getting my front rotors turned within the next week. I figured it'd be a good time to replace the pads as I'm tired of the crazy amounts of brake dust from the OEM pads. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!
Here are the specific pads I'm looking at:
- Akebono - ProAct Ceramic Pads (#ACT1118)
- Centric - Posi Quiet Ceramic Pads (#105.11180)
- Brembo - Ceramic Brake Pads (#P83072N)
- Stoptech - Sport Pads (#309.11180) (not ceramic, but claims low dust)
I have a '14 RWD F-Sport and will be getting my front rotors turned within the next week. I figured it'd be a good time to replace the pads as I'm tired of the crazy amounts of brake dust from the OEM pads. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!
09-07-16, 05:18 PM
#21
Some years ago a neighbor had aftermarket brake pads put on his BMW M3 to reduce the brake dust. He was 'into' having some racing mods on his street-driven M3. The fact is the new aftermarket brake pads he had installed didn't have the cold bite that his BMW OEM dusty pads had. The new pads were advertised to be 'low dust' and high-performance, but in reality they were more for track use and not a good choice for normal use on the streets. The new pads required the brakes to be heated-up before they had good stopping performance - something you just don't do with a street vehicle.
Long story short, he left his house one day on a cool fall morning and drove about ½ mile on a city street at 40 mph. He came to an stoplight intersection where the car ahead of him stopped rather abruptly when the light turned yellow. He was not following too closely, but when he applied his brakes his car did not stop in time because his [aftermarket] brakes were cold and didn't have the cold bite that vehicles with factory brakes universally have. His car rear-ended the car in front of him at relatively slow speed and the car he hit was pushed across the intersection where it was T-boned by a Ford F-350 pulling a heavily loaded trailer. One dead, one critically injured, and a seriously injured toddler.
Tail of the tape - the driver of the BMW, who caused the deadly accident, complained that his brakes did not stop his car quick enough. He blamed the brakes for the accident. He was asked if he had any brake work done recently... The brake pads he chose were chosen by him because they produced less brake dust yet was advertised to have equal or better stopping performance...but ONLY after the brakes were heated-up to optimum temperature, which is typical of many high-end aftermarket brake pads.
Bottom line - that man will never get over the fact that he caused the death of an 30-something year-old woman (cardiologist); the mother of a toddler child and the wife of a loving husband (anesthesiologist). The BMW owner was sued for many times the man's vehicle insurance coverage. I never heard what the final settlement totaled, but it entailed both medical as well a wrongful death personal injury lawsuit. The wrongful death personal injury lawsuit brought against the BMW owner was rumored to be for many millions of dollars that far exceeded the man's vehicle insurance coverage, as well as exceeding his net worth. Within 18 months the BMW owner (orthodontist, husband and father of two) filed for bankruptcy. I'd say this man made a very bad decision on which brake pads to install to reduce brake dust...
Long story short, he left his house one day on a cool fall morning and drove about ½ mile on a city street at 40 mph. He came to an stoplight intersection where the car ahead of him stopped rather abruptly when the light turned yellow. He was not following too closely, but when he applied his brakes his car did not stop in time because his [aftermarket] brakes were cold and didn't have the cold bite that vehicles with factory brakes universally have. His car rear-ended the car in front of him at relatively slow speed and the car he hit was pushed across the intersection where it was T-boned by a Ford F-350 pulling a heavily loaded trailer. One dead, one critically injured, and a seriously injured toddler.
Tail of the tape - the driver of the BMW, who caused the deadly accident, complained that his brakes did not stop his car quick enough. He blamed the brakes for the accident. He was asked if he had any brake work done recently... The brake pads he chose were chosen by him because they produced less brake dust yet was advertised to have equal or better stopping performance...but ONLY after the brakes were heated-up to optimum temperature, which is typical of many high-end aftermarket brake pads.
Bottom line - that man will never get over the fact that he caused the death of an 30-something year-old woman (cardiologist); the mother of a toddler child and the wife of a loving husband (anesthesiologist). The BMW owner was sued for many times the man's vehicle insurance coverage. I never heard what the final settlement totaled, but it entailed both medical as well a wrongful death personal injury lawsuit. The wrongful death personal injury lawsuit brought against the BMW owner was rumored to be for many millions of dollars that far exceeded the man's vehicle insurance coverage, as well as exceeding his net worth. Within 18 months the BMW owner (orthodontist, husband and father of two) filed for bankruptcy. I'd say this man made a very bad decision on which brake pads to install to reduce brake dust...
The following users liked this post:
engin_ear (09-11-20)
09-07-16, 07:49 PM
#22
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Some years ago a neighbor had aftermarket brake pads put on his BMW M3 to reduce the brake dust. He was 'into' having some racing mods on his street-driven M3. The fact is the new aftermarket brake pads he had installed didn't have the cold bite that his BMW OEM dusty pads had. The new pads were advertised to be 'low dust' and high-performance, but in reality they were more for track use and not a good choice for normal use on the streets. The new pads required the brakes to be heated-up before they had good stopping performance - something you just don't do with a street vehicle.
Long story short, he left his house one day on a cool fall morning and drove about ½ mile on a city street at 40 mph. He came to an stoplight intersection where the car ahead of him stopped rather abruptly when the light turned yellow. He was not following too closely, but when he applied his brakes his car did not stop in time because his [aftermarket] brakes were cold and didn't have the cold bite that vehicles with factory brakes universally have. His car rear-ended the car in front of him at relatively slow speed and the car he hit was pushed across the intersection where it was T-boned by a Ford F-350 pulling a heavily loaded trailer. One dead, one critically injured, and a seriously injured toddler.
Tail of the tape - the driver of the BMW, who caused the deadly accident, complained that his brakes did not stop his car quick enough. He blamed the brakes for the accident. He was asked if he had any brake work done recently... The brake pads he chose were chosen by him because they produced less brake dust yet was advertised to have equal or better stopping performance...but ONLY after the brakes were heated-up to optimum temperature, which is typical of many high-end aftermarket brake pads.
Bottom line - that man will never get over the fact that he caused the death of an 30-something year-old woman (cardiologist); the mother of a toddler child and the wife of a loving husband (anesthesiologist). The BMW owner was sued for many times the man's vehicle insurance coverage. I never heard what the final settlement totaled, but it entailed both medical as well a wrongful death personal injury lawsuit. The wrongful death personal injury lawsuit brought against the BMW owner was rumored to be for many millions of dollars that far exceeded the man's vehicle insurance coverage, as well as exceeding his net worth. Within 18 months the BMW owner (orthodontist, husband and father of two) filed for bankruptcy. I'd say this man made a very bad decision on which brake pads to install to reduce brake dust...
Long story short, he left his house one day on a cool fall morning and drove about ½ mile on a city street at 40 mph. He came to an stoplight intersection where the car ahead of him stopped rather abruptly when the light turned yellow. He was not following too closely, but when he applied his brakes his car did not stop in time because his [aftermarket] brakes were cold and didn't have the cold bite that vehicles with factory brakes universally have. His car rear-ended the car in front of him at relatively slow speed and the car he hit was pushed across the intersection where it was T-boned by a Ford F-350 pulling a heavily loaded trailer. One dead, one critically injured, and a seriously injured toddler.
Tail of the tape - the driver of the BMW, who caused the deadly accident, complained that his brakes did not stop his car quick enough. He blamed the brakes for the accident. He was asked if he had any brake work done recently... The brake pads he chose were chosen by him because they produced less brake dust yet was advertised to have equal or better stopping performance...but ONLY after the brakes were heated-up to optimum temperature, which is typical of many high-end aftermarket brake pads.
Bottom line - that man will never get over the fact that he caused the death of an 30-something year-old woman (cardiologist); the mother of a toddler child and the wife of a loving husband (anesthesiologist). The BMW owner was sued for many times the man's vehicle insurance coverage. I never heard what the final settlement totaled, but it entailed both medical as well a wrongful death personal injury lawsuit. The wrongful death personal injury lawsuit brought against the BMW owner was rumored to be for many millions of dollars that far exceeded the man's vehicle insurance coverage, as well as exceeding his net worth. Within 18 months the BMW owner (orthodontist, husband and father of two) filed for bankruptcy. I'd say this man made a very bad decision on which brake pads to install to reduce brake dust...
09-07-16, 07:53 PM
#24
Pole Position
Thread Starter
09-07-16, 08:09 PM
#25
People who have Akebono pads on the FSports pls chime in how is it holding , I have read on other threads Duralast gold 1586 to be low noise and with good stopping power. I have to change mine but debating which route to go.
Last edited by Dallasguy1; 09-12-16 at 08:39 PM.
09-14-16, 11:56 AM
#30
I've had them on my FSport for about a month and a half now and have been really impressed with them. I find the bite to be a lot better than OEM, took me a little bit to get used to how well they bite. Haven't noticed any brake dust and I heard a light noise I think twice at very low speeds which I'm chalking up to being brand new and not broken in. I did also get the rotors replaced with slotted ones though.