You can address hyper-sensitivity of OEM brake pads by going with an aftermarket pad that has slightly lower initial brake torque. I used to have the same problem - could not gracefully decelerate or come to a stop without snapping passengers' necks. No longer a problem now that I'm running StopTech Street pads (I'm sure there are other street pads that will work fine).

Come to think of it, even my autoX Hawk HP+ pads have more linear brake torque and less initial grab than the OEM pads. HP+'s dust and squeal like crazy, so I would not recommend them for daily driver use. But it just comes to show how sensitive stock pads are.

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Sounds like I need to wax the wheels and replace the pads and potentially scuff up and paint the calipers when these brakes start to chirp to change the pads. I'm thinking about putting 25mm spacers on them too since I like the look of a wider stance :-D

I don't think I could stomach writing a check for $2K for the JCW big brake upgrade. Or deal with my wife kicking my butt.

 

Have you any experience with Carbotech 1521 pads?

 

I ended up putting brembo big kit over jcw. They are bigger and offer more bite on 18" wheels. Good mini stock brakes but on 184 they just lost something.