Akebono Pads...and still a lot of brake dust in fronts...

[Toneaero]

Do these Akebono stop like OEM or worse? I wouldn't want to increase my stopping distance just so I don't have to wash them as frequently.

[seattle]

Can't say if overall stopping distance increased, but behavior is different.
Driving on parking lot and tapping brakes with OEM pads made them grab instantly and harshly - for better or worse.
Doing same with Akebonos (with Zimmerman rotors, in my case) results in softer stopping, perhaps increased distance?
Best way to put it, pedal has to travel further for same stopping. Quick tap vs. good hard press.

[bawareca]

Simple physics, I can say. The most OEM pads and especially ATE are super soft and grab really well in exchange for higher wear rate and a lot of brake dust. Harder compunds have more metal particles, wear slower and dont emit so much dust in exchange for less friction and higher rotor wear.
Probably there are a few people that hate the brake dust more than me, i always have a few cars around with some multi-spoke wheels, some old school Alpina included. But I have never, and never will, trade the soft pads for ceramics. As a side benefit my rotors last for at least 3 sets of OEM pads and brake squeaking never happened to me.

[Duc Hunter]

Originally Posted by Toneaero

Do these Akebono stop like OEM or worse? I wouldn't want to increase my stopping distance just so I don't have to wash them as frequently.

On my Audi, which had StopTech 6 pots with 380mm rotors for the BBK....there was no diff in stopping distance on the street. They won't do a track day though. As others have said they are less "grabby" feeling than the stockers. Esp when you add new rotors, as things need to be bedded in. I will change mine and not look back.

[Socale39]

Simply put the OEM pads are actually pretty good and although there are aftermarket solutions to reduce dust, you will lose some initial bite and performance. You have to ask yourself whether you want low dust or good brake bite.

[Davidf]

I actually prefer the feel of the Akebonno's over the OEM brake pads. The Akebonno's are less "touchy" as others have described...a good thing in my book. I always switch out the OEM's for Akebonno's as soon as the OEM's wear out.

[Socale39]

Having used a few different aftermarket pads, my main complaint is that the pads really dont start performing well unless they are heated up. Unless you are tracking the vehicle I feel like the only thing they really offer is less dust. While that's nice and all, when you need to make immediately hard braking the OEM pads can't be beat IMO.

Also, in response to the ignorant weight comment, it does matter. Imagine a semi truck trying to brake with the same brakes as an E70. Bet your ass it's going to take longer to stop.

[Grounded]

I've had Ankebono pads on 3 different cars and the reason is the lack of brake dust. The X5 exhibited a slightly softer pedal feel with stock OEM rotors. I have not replaced them yet, but when I do, it will be with R1 rotors.
The other 2 cars a 2010 Corvette had them on all 4 wheels with stock Z51 rotors and worked great. The other is a Mazda CX-9 (heavy) with R1 rotors, all 4 wheels.
I did not see any difference in the Corvette/Mazda, the BMW was not as "grabby."

[bmrboi2]

I used Brembo Ceramic pads and Rotors at my last brake service....while I had the wheels off I cleaned and polished them and put a good heavy coat of wax on them and @ 6000 miles later the wheels are still silver.

[noelskii]

I just put on Akebono pads (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00) on the front last week.

They are on stock rotors and no dust so far.

When I installed these, I installed an AM brake pad sensor (Amazon.com: URO Parts 34 35 6 789 501 Front Brake Pad Sensor: Automotive) with it. My question is, should I have bled the brake lines? I read somewhere that I should only bleed the lines when I actually open up the system. In this case, I didn't open the system, so I didn't bleed...