Has anyone used these? And what was your experience with them?

 

I am pretty sure my buddy picked up a set and he likes them. Good product for the price.

 

It's actually spelled Akebono

If you want to save a few $$$ buy Car Quest's Gold Ceramic pads instead. They are Akebono's and actually say so on the pads inside the box.....

http://www.carquest.com/common/downl...sPremiumOE.pdf

 

I have them. No noticeable change in stopping power. No dust.

 

I liked them on my '03 S, low dust and worked well. There were no rears available at the time but the fronts were great. Upgraded to R56'es only reason I'm not still using them.

Bryan

 

I just checked the price and for an '09 Justa, retail was $91.48/axle with a shop price of $77.68. Looks to be a deal with jobber price and local pickup. Even if not in stock right now, usually in by end of the day, next day at the longest. Beats all the on-line folks on every count.

The Akebono's are technically their Gold EURO line but their only ceramics for BMW/Mini anyway.

 

I put new Brembo rotors and a set of Akebono ceramics all round my '05 MCS last September.Got them from TireRack, so far I am very pleased, especially with the nearly zero dust problem.

I don't think they would be good for track days, but for spirited canyon carving and DD use they are a great solution.It's amazing to not have to clean the wheels every other day.Nice.

Mad Gepetto

 

Like others have stated they produce little to no dust. No noise but not impressed with initial bit from the pad.

 

Big bump for a update.

So now over a year later, are the Akebono / Car Quest Gold Euro Ceramins still the forum's preferred 'no dust' pad set for the Mini?

Ms B just got the red brake service light so I guess this is gonna be front brake Sunday... like I have nothing else to do on an absolutely gorgeous weekend!


edit: The Car Quest PN was PCD1308 superceeded to EUR1308 due to different packaging. Retail is now $78.49 with a shop/jobber cost of still $76.11

 

I've heard akebono's don't have great initial bite which is something I like. When I replaced my brake pads i went with EBC greenstuff which are also claimed to be low dust, and after 1k miles their claim definitely holds true. Plus, I love the feel, it's just like OEM. I was able to buy all corner pads and rotors for about $350 total. Just another option for you!

 

Advance has a -.15 online special. Got 4 rotors and Akebonos F & R for $203 plus tax.

 

Got some a couple of weeks ago from Way Motor Works. Am pleased with the performance. I wanted similar to stock or better AND low dust - and that is what I got.

AND, as usual, great customer service from Way and fast shipping!

 

I tried them on the wife's Audi for the same reason - nasty black front wheels - and I'm very pleased with them - definitely going to put them on my Clubby when I wear these out - I am so tired of cleaning my front wheels.

 

Thank You,

 

As a brief aside, but related note, Akebono is an Asian company purchased by Bosch about 3 years ago in order to aquire a lower cost production site for brake components.

 

You might want to do more research...the website seems to have differing info....they actually BOUGHT BOSCH'S north american opperations.....Jan 2010.....renamed plants, etc...all on their website....
I have a set from Amazon, sitting in my garage... Says made in the USA in about 4 languages on the box....
Best $70 pads (for the price).....great low/no dust OEM equivalent pad!!
Not a track pad....but for most readers, that means a nice quiet, low/no dust pad.
Folks sometimes "reach" up a level on buying parts here....and sometimes make a comoermise they didn't realize....such as a "hot" street pad that is noisy if used cold or lightly in s commuting situation.....
For most non-track folks, this pad is a good choice...if you never smoked the OEMS, these will save you tons of time cleaning your rims!!

 

This is my experience. I have the Akebono's on the front and the initial bite is very soft, which I actually don't like. Overall stopping power is fine though, and they are not nearly as dusty as OEM.

 

My research may be a few years old...and so am I. I was remembering it backwards.
Bosch was actually getting out of the hard brake component business because they couldn't compete.