I just ordered some Hawk Performance Ceramic pads for my 03 JCW...anyone have any previous experience with them? I know I can't go wrong buying Hawk pads but I'd like to know if they are as low-noise and low-dust as Tire Rack claim...

 

I'm curious as well since I'm about to order new pads and rotors for my '05 MCS - 53K pretty much all highway miles and never had the pads or rotors changed yet. There certainly are lots of threads/posts on here discussing them, but I'm looking into the Hawk ceramics like you've ordered.

I'm very interested in less dust and being ceramic these should accomodate that, but I've also read that the feel will be much different than the stock pads, meaning in this case that it may feel like you have to put more pressure on the pedal to stop - unless I've read wrong. I'm also hoping to get rid of the winter 'squeals'.

As a sidenote, I found them on Autoanything for $155.61 shipped for mine...haven't ordered them yet though. But that's about $30 cheaper than they come up for me on Tire Rack.

 

Anyone??

 

I've run through 2 sets of them. For me they are a good quiet pad & yes they dust a lot less than oem & what dust you do get is a lighter color. IMO they work well, but be advised they do not have the initial bite of the stock pads. They do seem to take the heat better than the oem's.

They are not a track pad. I used them as such & wore them out fairly quickly. My second set has been used only on the street & they have been good.

 

Thanks. Sounds like I ordered exactly what I need then, great for mountain roads but not advised for serious tracking. Works for me...

 

We don't recommend them. They just don't have a good bite to them and seem to glaze pretty easy. We find the Carbotechs or EBC's to be better.

 

I have the Hawk ceramic pads and am very happy with them.
About 30k with no issues, low dust and the same feel as stock with no noise problem.
I would and have recommended them to other MINI owners who are also happy. (this is why I have done 4 MINI brake jobs with only one being on my car )

 

I read the mixed reviews on TireRack - Just like this thread - some like them - some hate them. Staying stock.

 

Interesting. I guess when they come in tomorrow or Friday, I'll give you guys my verdict. TarHeel MINIs drive this Sunday - let's hope I like these brakes!

 

Just make sure you bed them in properly.

Another great option for some very good heavy street and light track day pads are the Cool carbon's from Bavauto.com.

 

I have installed Hawk OEM replacement pads and BBK Hawk pads as well. The bite does lack a bit in the OEM replacement pads but the people love that the dust is easier to clean. And yeah they are pretty quiet and user friendly.

 

Just finished the front left. Front right and test drive tomorrow evening!

 

Geez, that right one took a little longer than expected. I just finished and it's 1:20am here in NC. Gonna do the wear-in and test drive tomorrow morning.

 

Well you guys wanted my opinion on them so here goes... Went on a 2.5 hour drive this morning with some members of the TarHeel MINI club. The pads do not have quite the same initial bite as the OE ones, but once applied they will stop you just as quickly. It actually seems as though they perform just a hair better when warm, though I can't really confirm that. Here's the best part though: I cleaned my wheels last night, drove a total of about 200 miles today, and I have seemingly no brake dust built up on the wheels.

 

Great to hear about the lack of brake dust! I hate that stuff all over my web spokes.

 

anyone go the Autozone route with lifetime guarantee? assuming they have for Mini's... I have walked back in with old worn pads anf got new ones without question

 

I ended up buying the Akebono's. I got them off of Amazon for 132 shipped for all 4 corners.

Haven't installed them yet as I'm waiting to get the rotors still.

 

Hey Dirt, does your car have the JCW brakes? If so do you know the part number for the hawk ceramic brake pads for the front.

 

Nope, sorry. I thought about getting them but I didn't...

 

R53 JCW = same as R56 S pads.

HB560z677

Alex