I need to replace the front pads on MY00. Subaru dealer has offered Prodrive pads @£195 fitted. Are Prodrive pads an improvement on standard pads? Are there third party pads available that are better without replacing the discs?

I drive pretty hard but avoid the track.

Any advice would be appreciated...

From what I've heard,yes they do make a difference but you should be able to buy em cheaper elsewhere since the 'Prodrive' pad is actually a Ferodo DS2500 (Well it is for the MY01 so I can't see your model being any different!) :)
Might be worthwhile giving the likes of TSL/Scoobysport/Scoobymania a call and see what they have to say!

Gonna go down a similar route on my MY01 once the pads need changing and also,my dealer's gonna change the brake hoses for Goodridge braided items (Which apparently improves brake pedal feel quite significantly :D)

Good luck

Nick

[Edited by NickAdams - 8/22/2002 9:38:27 AM]

I'm in the same boat - please let me know anything you find out!!

Robin...

I went with the "Prodrive Pads" from my dealer but got 10% discount so £176. Moaned about SIDC getting this discount at most garages even though they weren't included. They matched it for goodwill..........

IMO pads are better. I especially notice less fade and less dust on the wheels than before.

J

Thanks for the info.

Most third party suppliers are over 100 miles away and at around 20mpg it actually costs in to get the Prodrive pads fitted locally. Will try the 10% discount routine though!

Many thanks

All these suppliers do mail order so you can have em delivered to ya door mate!!!! :D

Nick

I thought Prodrive pads for MY00 were DS2000 but they might have swapped to DS2500.

Just put some on a few days ago, all cost far too much money for my liking and at the moment I dont think I can tell the difference but I guess they need to bed in a bit.

Probably worth doing if you have a bit of extra lolly in your pocket though, Im sure after a bit of bedding in they will improve

mine were the first set ever fitted at Mill Lane near basingstoke

I will be getting the second set then. Must have been your pads the bloke was talking about when he said he'd just fitted them for someone else...

Small world. I agree they aint cheap.

Yep must be me then I guess you spoke to Charles, actually the pads are begining to feel a bit better now they are bedding in

Which pads do you get if you have the complete Prodrive Big Brake upgrade? Which of the two afore mentioned pads give better stopping ability coupled with Prodrives kit?

i would second the opinion on the braided hoses as i did them at the same time as new discs and mintex pads (standard brakes) and they made a good difference. Very positive and dont go spongy when hot ( and i brake hard at times!! )

I would certainly back up the posts on the improvement in pedal feel offered by mesh hoses. Very nice!!

Combined with good pads this can really help the overall braking feel. Obviously the next step is some good discs (DBA seem to be very good VFM IMHO).

Better pads = more stopping power + more heat (all that friction's got to have somewhere to go). Sorta leads to the discs ;) You'll be surprised how much more you'll want to *use* them too :D

I'm fairly certain that the upgraded Prodrive pads are Ferodo DS2000, and are a very good fast road pad. Only available from offical Scoob dealers. They can also take some track use, but wear quickly and are easily capable of exceeding the heat capability of the standard discs - which are prone to heat damage - resulting in warping or cracking (as mine did).

Impreza brakes are a definite problem for some hard drivers, and it's the discs that are at the heart of it. Upgrade the pads and you just bu99er the discs quicker. You need better discs and pads.

There is lots of choice out there - Pagid, Godspeed, Alcon, amongst others - they all have quality products that run well with standard calipers. And remember quality products are priced accordingly. Cheap defo equals crap (which is not the same as saying high price equals good quality as it often doesn't).

Good luck, and don't skimp on brakes ;)

Richard.