Took my car to a rotary performance shop in Pleasanton, CA this past week and found out I need new front and rear brakes. I got a few price quotes and he said its not that bad yet, just need the pads.

I noticed the stock Mazda pads are more expensive than aftermarket ones such as Hawk Pads. I was wondering which pads are better from everyone's personal experience or anything that they've heard?

I got quoted for $420 for stock mazda pads and I believe $380 for Hawks. Any input appriciated, thanks.

 

pads??? just pads? pads should run you about $80 all the way around.

I'm running Hawk HPS - good for street use, I hear that they aren't the best for fast tracks (you'd burn them down pretty quick). They are really good for street use - I love 'em.

Porterfield R4Es are supposedly really good as well... take a look in the suspension/wheel/brake forum for some good writeups on these.

 

the hawks dust a lot, thats the only reason I don't like them 100%. They sure have the bite..and so far, they seem to be rotor friendly....but they do squeek a little, too..

Anyways. Yeah, you can buy pads all around for ~$100 at tirerack.com. Where are you taking your car that would charge that much money?

 

ebc green stuff is my favorite for the street

 

Do the stock pads last longer than the Hawk street pads (HPS)?

 

i think he meant with installation. i got quoted about the same price from rick in Pleasanton.

 

are you using the HP+ or the HPS? I've heard dusting and squeaking mentioned when talking about the HP+, but the HPS don't seem to do that (granted, I hardly ever drive my car, maybe that's why I don't notice any dusting).

...and as far as installation goes - unless you don't want to get your hands dirty, replacing the pads is a snap. The fronts are so easy, its ridiculous. The rears are a bit more of a pain and require a $5 adaptor from pep boys. There are some good write-ups online (with pictures) to walk you through it. just remember, when pushing the front pistons back in, do it slowly - I only needed one big channel lock and a 2-3 minutes per caliper.

 

ttb is right, the price i was quote does include installation...

i also got a few other things that he diagnosed as problems in my car. im looking to get all this stuff fixed, big fun

A/C LOW PRESSURE HOSE: $187.90 ($125 LABOR, $230 A/C SERVICING)
FRONT UNDERTRAY: $167.80
INNER FRONT SPLASH SHIELDS: $148.70 EACH
BENT CROSSEMBLER REPLACEMENT: $64
FRONT SWAY BAR, LINKS, AND SUPPORT TOWERS: $565+LABOR

AND HE ALSO RECOMMENDED:
COLD AIR INTAKE BOX (I'M GOING WITH THE M2 CARBON FIBER BOX $485)
UPGRADED INTERCOOLER (SO FAR ITS THE GREDDY SMIC, UNLESS ANYONE CAN SHOW ME A BETTER ONE)

Got a lot of purchasing and new stuff ahead of me, sounds like fun, cant wait. Doing brakes and other maintenance first, before i do any upgrades.

He did give me a free soda though when I went

 

um, here is a thought. talk to the guy that lives in the same town as you that can hook it up at the parts store that he works at. hey thats me. dude, seriously give me a PM, ill give you the hook up and i can do most of the work myself. well short of rebuilding the motor.
kris