Ceramic or Semi-Metallic Pads for FX35?

[rrack]

I'm thinking I may replace the pads on my 2003 FX35 soon and I was curious about Ceramic vs. Semi-Metallic Pads. I've searched and searched and found arguments supporting each. I don't do any heavy driving...just around town and to and form work. I just want to minimize dust and not damage/warp the rotors. I've priced the OEMs at the dealer and not sure which they are anyway. What would you recommend?

Thanks much, Robert

[maxnix]

I'm thinking I may replace the pads on my 2003 FX35 soon and I was curious about Ceramic vs. Semi-Metallic Pads. I've searched and searched and found arguments supporting each. I don't do any heavy driving...just around town and to and form work. I just want to minimize dust and not damage/warp the rotors.

For your requirements, OEM are the only ones with a compound formulated specifically for you vehicle is the best choice, especially in a cold stop. You don't want to be in anyone's trunk, even by 6 inches, do you?

Cold stopping performance and brake dust go together. No brake dust means your rotors are wearing faster. Which would you rather replace?

Call the crew at

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com and cahnge your fluid to DOT4. Don'te forget to true your rotors also.

[bullittandy]

I've used ceramic pads and they are a lot less dusty-try them.

That being said-they don't stop as well as the factory pad but the reason that people rear-end each other is not because the brake pads they use take longer to stop its because they don't pay attention to their driving-so get ceramic pads and keep an extra car length in front of you.-lol

[qship96]

I've used ceramic pads and they are a lot less dusty-try them.

That being said-they don't stop as well as the factory pad but the reason that people rear-end each other is not because the brake pads they use take longer to stop its because they don't pay attention to their driving-so get ceramic pads and keep an extra car length in front of you.-lol

"They dont stop as well as factory pads,but get them anyway"??????? Thats pretty lame advice in my book,as the NUMBER ONE function of a brake pad.......is to stop the car,duh?????

Imagine knowingly using a brake pad that doesnt stop as well as the factory pads because you are too lazy to wash the car/wheels regularly....and you get in an accident and your wife/child becomes disfigured/scarred for life due to your poor choice.

[Q45tech]

Almost all pads available today are a mixture of ceramic and metallic turnings. Thus semimetallic and ceramic all in one.

All about getting the mixture right to have a reasonable cold temperature friction since most panic stopping occurs when pads are 50- 200F.

Repeat panic stops are not normal as you must constantly reaccelerate, that only occurs in racing or torture testing.

A single panic stop from 70 mph to a full stop in <3 seconds will only heat the pads and rotors up by 150F. But each subsequent stop without a cool down period will be cumlative.

The problem is if you want excellant braking above 700F you cannot have decent cold stopping regardless of ceramic or semi or full metallic.

The carbon dust helps WIDEN the functional temperature range but only by 50-100F. The more dust the wider it gets

[maxnix]

The carbon dust helps WIDEN the functional temperature range but only by 50-100F. The more dust the wider it gets

Thus brake dust is not inherently bad. Dustless brake bads and good cold initial braking performance are mutually exclusive.

[bullittandy]

"They dont stop as well as factory pads,but get them anyway"??????? Thats pretty lame advice in my book,as the NUMBER ONE function of a brake pad.......is to stop the car,duh?????

Imagine knowingly using a brake pad that doesnt stop as well as the factory pads because you are too lazy to wash the car/wheels regularly....and you get in an accident and your wife/child becomes disfigured/scarred for life due to your poor choice.

I thought that brake pads were for looks-I didn't know they stopped the car?!?

Some people have different criteria for function versus effort versus cost. If all we cared about is function then we all need to install the 15" Carbon brake system thats on the new ZR1 Corvette or whatever comes on the Bugatti-they both stop about 20-40 feet shorter from the Q45 (and weigh roughly the same).

Using your own logic you will be immediately buying the most expensive brakes in the world because otherwise you are knowingly using brakes that don't stop your car as effectively as possible. Please post pics when you've accomplished the swap.

Don't bother assailing my logic-it is infallible.Thanks for you concern about my wife and child-that's sweet.

Again, the reason that people rear end other cars is because they are not paying attention or are not keeping a safe distance. Please repeat until it rings in your head.

[goody90q45]

Again, the reason that people rear end other cars is because they are not paying attention or are not keeping a safe distance. Please repeat until it rings in your head.

I agree Andy. Stay at least one car length behind for every 10mph you're travelling and PAY ATTENTION and any brake pad with some meat on it will work.

[rrack]

Thanks guys. I didn't want this to be too big of a debate. I merely needed a little insight on the two types. I'll just stick with semi. I definitely don't want to risk any safety issues by any means. I get to see far too much of that anyway.

[maxnix]

Stay at least one car length behind for every 10mph you're travelling and PAY ATTENTION and any brake pad with some meat on it will work.

If someone doesn't cut into that space or the car you are following has a brake system and tires that can out perform yours. Hard pads on a cold intioal stop can easily add 10% -15% to stopping distances. Of course, poor tires ruin it all as they ultiimately control braking performance.

[qship96]

[QUOTE=bullittandy

Don't bother assailing my logic-it is infallible.Thanks for you concern about my wife and child-that's sweet.

Again, the reason that people rear end other cars is because they are not paying attention or are not keeping a safe distance. Please repeat until it rings in your head. [/QUOTE]

What about the child who darts into the roadway, or the deer around the curve.......It is not just rear ending another vehicle that warrants superior braking performance, genius.

[bullittandy]

What about the child who darts into the roadway, or the deer around the curve.......It is not just rear ending another vehicle that warrants superior braking performance, genius.

Who gives a sh*t about kids?

[maxnix]

Who gives a sh*t about kids?

Hell, yeah! Andy sends his out to the freeway to play all the time!

Seriously, you need to get back into therapy.

[bullittandy]

I've used all types of brake pads and the best (for feel and cold stop feel) are always OEM-on a 01 Bullitt, an 01 V70, 97/99 Q45 94 Accord, 67 911-every car I've tried.

That being said I just put a set of "ceramic" pads on th V70 and think they are very close to OEM Volvo in feel, grab and cold stops, but they are not exactly the same. They also shed no dust-so make up your own mind.

On a similar note-I've been experimenting with making my own brake pads in a toaster oven-first set was okay but I've got a new formula for the latest test.

[qship96]

Why not just grab a set of calipers and pads off the old Schwinn in the garage? I bet they are dust-free and would bring the Q to a stop eventually......just pay attention to the car ahead of you and leave enough space between the two of you?