Ceramic brake pad experience anyone?

**johnw** · 09-07-2011, 10:23 PM

I'm in need of new rotor and pads for the Passat, however I'm looking at something that is better, in terms of service life, than VW genuine because the rotor life is the same as pad life (both needed replacing at 44000km and now 90000Km) which I find is a bit extreme given all other cars I've owned go through pads quicker than rotors.

Just wondering if anyone has tried ceramic brake pads (such as Hawk) with OEM rotors? Will ceramic pads be too hard for the rotor (ie shorter rotor life)?

I've been searching but have found conflicting information, some say it's bad and will eat through rotors faster and others say it's softer, quieter and gentler on the rotor.

Or is that just the way newer VWs are, rotor and pads changed at the same time?

If anyone has other suggestions for pad/rotor combo please advise

Thanks

**Transporter** · 09-07-2011, 10:42 PM

I'm happy with the RDA slotted discs and Bendix GCT pads in my T5, better than OEM. Fitted the same to our Touareg as well.

**johnw** · 10-07-2011, 02:59 PM

Thanks Transporter, not sure if slotted discs are needed for daily driver though

Maybe for my A3

**johnw** · 10-07-2011, 08:49 PM

I've read that the MkVI use ceramic pads from factory, anyone know what the VW pad material is for the Passat 3c?

**GOLFBALLS** · 12-07-2011, 12:05 PM

Hi John.
Where I work we sell the Ate brakes which are the genuine OE brand sold by VAG. We've just started getting the ceramic pads in from Germany. They are quite a bit more expensive than the standard pads, but obviously last longer and create less dust. I'll see if I can find out the effects on disc wear directly from Ate.

I doubt anything will make the discs last much longer though, as they are designed to wear now as the pads are no longer being made with asbestos.

Call an hsy autoparts branch (there's 3 in Melbourne) and they might be able to give you some more info.

Cheers

**johnw** · 12-07-2011, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by GOLFBALLS

Hi John.
Where I work we sell the Ate brakes which are the genuine OE brand sold by VAG. We've just started getting the ceramic pads in from Germany. They are quite a bit more expensive than the standard pads, but obviously last longer and create less dust. I'll see if I can find out the effects on disc wear directly from Ate.

I doubt anything will make the discs last much longer though, as they are designed to wear now as the pads are no longer being made with asbestos.

Call an hsy autoparts branch (there's 3 in Melbourne) and they might be able to give you some more info.

Cheers

Thanks, I guess I'll just have to get some ceramic pads and see how it goes.

**GOLFBALLS** · 13-07-2011, 10:45 AM

I've heard back from our Ate man in Melbourne. Apparently the ceramic pads DO help the disc last longer. Hence, hsy extended the warranty to 50,000km/3yrs if Ceramic pads and Ate discs are changed together...

Sorry if this sounds like a sales pitch, but I'm just trying to help

**johnw** · 13-07-2011, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by GOLFBALLS

I've heard back from our Ate man in Melbourne. Apparently the ceramic pads DO help the disc last longer. Hence, hsy extended the warranty to 50,000km/3yrs if Ceramic pads and Ate discs are changed together...

Sorry if this sounds like a sales pitch, but I'm just trying to help

Hey sales pitch or not it's another option!

Thanks I'll give them a call to see what's available/pricing. (just not sure if they'll sell to me as I'm consumer not trade)

Just after OEM anyway

**PeDiES** · 13-07-2011, 09:39 PM

i went to an ATE info night about the ceramic pads, when asked how they performed the tec (german) said to think of brakes as a pie chart, 1 third is performance, 1 third is lifetime, and other is comfort (ie, dust, noise). When you gain one you loose another, a compramis. In most ceremic pads the compromise is performace for more lifetime and less dust (or more comfort).

They aren't meant for performance, well acording to ATE anyway

**johnw** · 13-07-2011, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by PeDiES

i went to an ATE info night about the ceramic pads, when asked how they performed the tec (german) said to think of brakes as a pie chart, 1 third is performance, 1 third is lifetime, and other is comfort (ie, dust, noise). When you gain one you loose another, a compramis. In most ceremic pads the compromise is performace for more lifetime and less dust (or more comfort).

They aren't meant for performance, well acording to ATE anyway

That shouldn't bother me as long as they perform the same as factory ones. I don't have the R36 (I wish)

I looked up the VW part number for the parts and apparently they are semi metallic WITH ceramic compound? didn't know that was possible.