time for new brakes

[nibenon]

Hi guys.

Time for new front brakes on my 2005 mazda3 gt hatch. (0.004" runout on the right)

I'm looking at Mazda3 rotors and hawk hps pads as that seems to be the consensus on whats a good deal.

Who do I talk to and where do I go for a good deal? I'll be driving through toronto on the 25th or 26th of this month(april) on my way from Ottawa to Niagara.

[Wes08M3]

NextMod ( in Markham) has a sale on right now for Hawk HPS pads. Check the sponsors section to find them.

[Rob23]

If your going to get some HPS pads i would get a nice set of rotors to go with it. Not OEM.

[Punkrockjohn]

Hi guys.

Time for new front brakes on my 2005 mazda3 gt hatch. (0.004" runout on the right)

I'm looking at Mazda3 rotors and hawk hps pads as that seems to be the consensus on whats a good deal.

Who do I talk to and where do I go for a good deal? I'll be driving through toronto on the 25th or 26th of this month(april) on my way from Ottawa to Niagara.

It's a good combo I've been running it for about a year now, no complaints.

[Wes08M3]

If your going to get some HPS pads i would get a nice set of rotors to go with it. Not OEM.

Why not OEM rotors? Seems like tons of people run this combo. OEM rotors are going to be much better quality than any aftermarket stuff, excluding some performance brands.

[cwp_sedan]

+1

I like my OEM rotor replacements. They function exactly as expected and I wouldn't go with anything else at this point. They are decently priced for being OEM as well.

[Rob23]

Why not OEM rotors? Seems like tons of people run this combo. OEM rotors are going to be much better quality than any aftermarket stuff, excluding some performance brands.

Well you can run OEM if you want, but I found I have a lot more bite with my set up. And Im not talking about a cheap set of rotors. OEM rotors are definitely not better quality than any aftermarket..

[Zuluwun]

Well you can run OEM if you want, but I found I have a lot more bite with my set up. And Im not talking about a cheap set of rotors. OEM rotors are definitely not better quality than any aftermarket..

For the price of OEM rotors, they're great quality. Comparable to and sometimes better than reputable aftermarket options. What's your set up like Rob?

[Wes08M3]

Well you can run OEM if you want, but I found I have a lot more bite with my set up. And Im not talking about a cheap set of rotors. OEM rotors are definitely not better quality than any aftermarket..

When I say aftermarket I'm not referring to performance brands like Stoptech, EBC, Brembo, etc... Those are performance aftermarket brands. I'm talking about the cheap Chinese aftermarket rotors that you'll find at any parts store, Canadian Tire, Partsource, NAPA, etc. the OEM ones are DEFINITELY better than those.

For people who aren't going to take their cars to the track, performance rotors are useless. So it really depends what you plan to do with the car.

[6strings]

I think the majority of people run Hawk Pads on OEM blank discs.
I keep hearing people say that cross drilled rotors crack.

[Rob23]

For the price of OEM rotors, they're great quality. Comparable to and sometimes better than reputable aftermarket options. What's your set up like Rob?


When I say aftermarket I'm not referring to performance brands like Stoptech, EBC, Brembo, etc... Those are performance aftermarket brands. I'm talking about the cheap Chinese aftermarket rotors that you'll find at any parts store, Canadian Tire, Partsource, NAPA, etc. the OEM ones are DEFINITELY better than those.

For people who aren't going to take their cars to the track, performance rotors are useless. So it really depends what you plan to do with the car.


I think the majority of people run Hawk Pads on OEM blank discs.
I keep hearing people say that cross drilled rotors crack.

Ah ok. I have nothing special, Hawk pads and Magnum xdrilled rotors. 3+ years and no problems. and i definitely noticed a difference when I installed them. I go to the track sometimes, I had no problems with them. My buddy who has a '07 G35 S his stock brakes where dripping onto his rims after tracking.

[cwp_sedan]

If you track you shouldn't be running OEM brakes. That's just foolish!

Also with cross drilled you won't always have them crack..they are more likely to if they are drilled and not cast. It all depends on the quality of the product or just your luck.

[Rob23]

I guess he figured he could get away with it once. but that is a heavy car too. yea well he learned the hardway, his brakes were toast! got new pads and rotors and never had a problem since. also upgraded his clutch

[Cab0oze]

In all my experiences with hawks hps, they suck when its cold and wet out. Just google "hawks HPS lack initial bite". If you drive a lot on the highway in the wintertime (like I do), I'd say stay away. Nothing is more scary than barrelling towards someone on a cold rainy day at 110km/hr and pressing the brakes and having to wait for 4 of the longest seconds ever to start slowing down.

[6strings]

Geez so many mixed reviews on different brands LOL
What are your views on dimpled slotted brakes?

[Rob23]

In all my experiences with hawks hps, they suck when its cold and wet out. Just google "hawks HPS lack initial bite". If you drive a lot on the highway in the wintertime (like I do), I'd say stay away. Nothing is more scary than barrelling towards someone on a cold rainy day at 110km/hr and pressing the brakes and having to wait for 4 of the longest seconds ever to start slowing down.

I agree the Hawk pads are not good in the wet. You have to push quite a bit harder when braking. I even notice after i get a car wash for a few stops. but ive never found it to be a problem.

[thesober]

what's a good alternative to hawk hps?

[standsideways]

what's a good alternative to hawk hps?

Buddy of mine who owns my old 3 uses EBC greenstuff and i like the initial bite better than the HPS i put on for him.

Ebc does everything from oem to racing, lots of options

[Wes08M3]

Or just use OEM pads if you're not looking for any added performance. Nothing wrong with them at all.

[Zuluwun]

^ cost. Otherwise I agree.


Buddy of mine who owns my old 3 uses EBC greenstuff and i like the initial bite better than the HPS i put on for him.

Ebc does everything from oem to racing, lots of options

I'm leaning heavily towards EBC pads (red or yellow) with blanks for this reason exactly. I really enjoy that good initial bite of the OEMs. HPS seem like a good bang for buck pad but from everything I've read (reviews of all 3 pads on mz3s), they seem like a compromise on everything.

[Wes08M3]

^ cost. Otherwise I agree.

Are they quite expensive? What do they cost?

[Rob23]

Or just use OEM pads if you're not looking for any added performance. Nothing wrong with them at all.

If you are a hard driver OEM wear out pretty quick. If you go to the track you shouldn't use OEM pads really.

[tmpz]

4 Mazda pads were ~$200+tax after MoT discount

[Zuluwun]

If you are a hard driver OEM wear out pretty quick. If you go to the track you shouldn't use OEM pads really.

I haven't noticed terrible wear with mine and I am a fairly spirited driver. In nearly 2.5 years, my stock pads have worn somewhere between halfway and 2/3. I have gotten them to fade on the street though, that's no fun.


4 Mazda pads were ~$200+tax after MoT discount

That's not quite as bad as I thought. I recall reading a post about someone paying ~$400+tax after discount for new OEM pads/rotors all around. Still, for that price you can get some decently better pads.

[tmpz]

That's not quite as bad as I thought. I recall reading a post about someone paying ~$400+tax after discount for new OEM pads/rotors all around. Still, for that price you can get some decently better pads.

It was probably me. Yes, it's ~$400 for all 4 Mazda Rotors and Brake Pads.

[Wes08M3]

If you are a hard driver OEM wear out pretty quick. If you go to the track you shouldn't use OEM pads really.

Guess it does really depend how you drive. My mom's MZ3 had the front pads last until 140,000km and the rears lasted until 220,00km! I wouldnt say she's easy on the brakes either. Definitely agree they're not suited for track duty though.


4 Mazda pads were ~$200+tax after MoT discount

That seems reasonable. A little on the higher end I guess, but they do offer certain things Hawk pads don't. So it really depends on driving style.

[Rob23]

My dad made the fronts last about 100 000kms and he drives pretty slow. they can last if your smooth with the brakes.