monkfish2

I recently went to kwikfit for some front pads as a quick fix before a trip. I wouldn't mind changing them as they sqeek when reversing, but could take the car back and get them seen to as they have a lifetime guarantee. Obviously they are meant for a subaru impreza wrx but would it be worth getting some decent pads ? It is running at 280+ bhp. Are blue stuff any good and does anyone have advice on good pads for general driving with the odd mad moment with heavy braking ?
Cheers.

awdx4

I've been using red stuff in mine and don't find any issues aside from the initial bedding in, which is compensated by the reduction of brake dust compared with the cheaper pads. You could do worse than browse the EBC website and make an informed choice.

Hope that helps

Tim

monkfish2

Cheers Tim, I'll check it out. I did have red stuff pads before these but didn't think they were as good as the original pads from Subaru. It might have been in my head though. Do you reckon changing the kwikfit ones are a must ?

awdx4

Depends how they perform, I personally wouldn't want that outfit and my car to be included in the same sentence, but horses for courses I guess lol

jura11

iTrader: (7)

I have fitted before as Subaru OEM pads,which has been Pagid OE,these pads braking like crap,now i these replace for EBC Bluestuff(but most people same recommend Ferodo DS2500)

Ian

iTrader: (10)

all depends on you driving style and how you use your car. is it a normal day to day driver or a race car to the shops etc.

i have the ds2500 on my big brake set up, and for my day to day driving i did not like them at all. not much bite when they were cold as in normal driving, give them some stick and they were fine. i changed these to a set of normal keveral (spelling) pads and for me these out perform the 2500 as for my style of driving they are fine. good bite from cold etc. im not sure how well they will be on track, but i dont track my car so that doesnt bother me.

think what you use the car for, and the type of stopping that you do and then get the pads best for your needs, and not what the in name is

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Are you experiencing brake fade with your power and driving style?
If you are, go for a harder pad eg DS2500 ( I can thoroughly recommend them with DBA discs)
If you only want to change them as they squeal, take the car back and have Kwikfit do a proper job.

andythejock01wrx

EBC Bluestuff for me, without doubt.

Here's a post of mine of a couple of months ago:

"Hello all,

I was one of the Scoobynetters that Andy Freeman of EBC sent free Bluestuff pads out to with a view to reviewing them on here. I agreed to do so, pointing out that they would not be used on the track (Andy said although they are designed primarily for the track were great on road too) and that my review would be "warts 'n' all", regardless of the fact the pads were sent free.

My car is a 2001 WRX, modded to 301/290 with an Andy F Hybrid TD04 turbo and has braided hoses and Dot 5.1 brake fluid.

The previous pads were Pagid 4.2.1s (ie Blacks), so in all honesty I was expecting the EBCs to be a step down, noting that they are quite a bit cheaper. I'm pleased to say that this has proved not to be the case.

These pads have only been out since July 2010 and EBC reckon the fact they are "heat scorched" means that bed in time is minimal, ie they pretty much come "bedded in". Well, I thought that I'd put that to the test and within 5 miles of driving after fitting I went straight onto my favourite local twisty road, the "Lang Whang". EBC were right enough - the pads worked great from the off. What great stopping power! No issues from cold and good initial bite!

I took the car out for a second test along the Lang Whang today. Did enough testing to make my girlfriend say she quite literally felt sick (sorry lass!). Did two "emergency" stops from 70mph to 0mph. Suberb stopping. Didn't get any fade although note I can't vouch for track use.

So, as a summary, my views on EBC Bluestuff pads from July 2010 are:

overall stopping power - superb
fade - none on the road on my test
use when cold - good, don't appear to need warmed up
initial bite - good
brake dust - definately less than average for brakes of this calibre

I'd have to say that I prefer the new Bluestuff to the Pagids (which are also very good) - will be interested to hear the comments of others that have come from this standard of pads.

I had planned to try DS2500s when I finally get an 06 Sti, but now I think it may be getting Bluestuff intead!

Andy Mc"

My opinion hasn't changed!

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

ebc blues all theway

Norman Dog

iTrader: (1)

+1

It's a wonder they didn't tell you the rears needed replacing as well, along with a host of other unnecessary work.

andythejock01wrx

Yeah I went into Kwikfit last year with a puncture.

The puncture was in the tread rather than the sidewall (a nail). However, Kwik Fit said I needed to replace the tyres and they refused point blank to replace it. I looked at the tyres and reckoned there was still a fair bit of tread. Went to tyre retailer linked to the local subaru dealership. They were very fair and said, nope, no need to replace those - we'll repair the puncture, come back and see us in 6 months when they're worn out!

F@@k Kwik Fit!

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

The EBC bluestuff are my choice of pad , I find them a very good all-round pad , have them fitted in my car , they are great from cold and just keep biting the harder you push them
I have all Impreza models in stock for a next day delivery
Cheers Ian
01656 723060

monkfish2

Cheers lads, all good stuff. I reckon I'll go for the blue stuff, just need to check where the cheapest place for them is

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

Everyone sells them at the same price , only 5 dealers get to supply them

dj_akademix

Are they road legal? - I understand they can be used for mini-enduro races...

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

Technically , Ferodo's , PF's bluestuff ect are not road legal as they work too good , and far exceed the EU tests

monkfish2

ok then, I reckon I'll get rid of the kwikfit pads (even though they are brand new) for some blue stuff. Will I need to change the kwikfit discs too or will these be ok with blue stuff pads ?

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

Pads will work on any discs , but the quality of discs will dictate how long they last , the better quality of the steels/irons used , the better the disc

JAutos

iTrader: (5)

I used to work for kwik fit a few years ago for my sins lol. The pads they are are unipart which are OEM quality so decent pads, although they arnt upto the standard of good aftermarket pads. Ferrodo ds2500, performance friction or ebc bluestuff, all over £100 to buy though are still the best

monkfish2

Thanks for that, i'll take them back to kwikfit to get the srceaching noise sorted then spend some money on alloy repair/respray instead.

JAutos

iTrader: (5)

if they are on old discs it could be the discs are lipped and taking the edges from the pads they will remove pads and lightly sand the edges with emry cloth or similar this will cure the noise unless you have cooked them without letting them bed in properly which takes around 150 miles of steady braking with standard oem pads.

monkfish2

The discs were replaced with the pads as kwikfit insisted they had to do both or not at all.

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Monkfish..........slightly off topic, have you joined Cumbrianscoobs?? Very helpful there too

http://www.cumbrianscoobs.co.uk/phpbb2/index.php

Shaun

Ian

iTrader: (10)

did they tell you your shocks were leaking as well?

JAutos

iTrader: (5)

Take em back they have to sort them under warrenty if thats the case