The_Judge

Morning guys,

Having put up with the "change-me-now-ffs" squeal coming from the front of my car for the past 2 weeks, I think it's now time to replace the pads. I've also got a 4 year service that needs doing, so will kill two birds.

My UK MY00 Turbo is lightly modded (K&N panel filter, GBE MBC @ 17psi, H&S turbo-back exhaust) and has never been/will never go on a track.

So having done a bit of searching, I'm pondering what route to go down. The usual suspects appear to be Pagid RS4-2.1, Mintex M1155, Ferodo DS2500 and EBC Ceramic Red. However, do I really need to spend that much?

As the title of the thread suggests, on Greasemonkey's advice from an earlier thread, I've looked at sapmotorparts.com website, and nearly fell off my chair at their prices:-

Subaru Impreza 9/98-9/00 Brake Pad Set(4) With Wear Indicator BP1016 Sumitomo/Vented EJ205 Turbo -/GT - AWD-ABS ... £13.70

Has anyone tried these pads? How do they compare to Subaru OEM pads (currently have, and am happy with)? Which, by the way, Subaru want £105.18 + VAT for...

Wildman

I've just been looking at the same page. They're Japanese imports, I presume? I'd like to know, too, if anyone's tried them.

The_Judge

I've had to go down an alternative route, as the service is being done tomorrow. I'm still curious as to what they're like though. Go on Wildman, give 'em a go!

Wildman

I doubt I'll risk a complete unknown. They're produced advertised and sold, so Somebody must use them. I'll wait a while, to see if anyone has a comment.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

I've ordered the discs so will keep you posted

The_Judge

The chap who serviced my car ordered the pads for me, before I had a chance to specify which I wanted. He just ordered "some front pads for a MY00 Impreza Turbo" from his local Motor Factor. They ended up being Mintex. Don't know which exactly, they were £65. I have to say I'm well impressed. They're loads better than the originals. But I'm still curious as to these from sapmotorparts. Did you order the pads as well as the discs Bob?

Wildman

'Greasemonkey' and 'STi wanna Subaru' both recommended sapmotorparts.com. I sent a message asking if they'd used Sumitomo or Akemoto discs and pads?

Peter

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

I posted the link having seen Greasemonkey post it previously. He seems to know his stuff so I value his opinion. I haven't bought from them yet.

The_Judge

Oi, Greasemonkey!

Have you used these pads, or know of anyone who's used them...?

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Ive just got the discs (well not yet they are at delivery depot awaiting re-delivery).

Am not going to skimp on pads though as I believe that uprated pads are better than stock but uprated discs (pagids) have been a major letdown so will give the chepo discs a try.

Will fit Monday or next weekend so will keep you posted.

Bob

Wildman

This is the reply I got from greasemonkey. I thought it'd interest us all? He says he doesn't mind it being posted here. (If only he'd seen the thread himself, huh?):

The discs SAP sell aren't actually made by Sumitomo or Akebono. These are the companies who make the OE brake systems for Subaru, so SAP's listing is basically saying they're designed to fit S or A brake systems.

The SAP discs are usually made by Quinton Hazell, and they're excellent. You can't get better quality discs at any price, let alone this one. They're actually used by several leading Group N teams because they're so stable and warp-resistant.

As for the pads, no comment as I've no experience of them. Someone on SN ordered some the other week, so it might be worth scanning down the group just to see if there's been a report about them. In general though, I've always suggested that a "known" brand and compound be used, as at least then you've got the confidence that the things aren't going to crack up and fall out the first time you stop hard.

Ferodo and Mintex's normal and warm road compounds are pretty cheap if you get them from a factor, so that'd probably be the way I'd go if I was looking to change on a budget and wasn't concerned about ultimate braking performance.

If you're enthusiastic on the brakes though, it'd be worth paying a little extra for a decent pad. This is one area where you do get what you pay for.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Picked discs up today from depot and they are indeed "Quinton Hazell"

Wildman

This is getting exciting, something like a soap opera? Will 'Bob5' fit the discs? Will he be pleased with them? Was 'STi wanna suberu' right to recommend them?

Who's got the pads?

Peter.

pslewis

These pads could well be the ones SUBARU re-box as theirs and charge a ridiculous amount for!! SUBARU probably buy them at £10 and then knock them out for well over £100!!

Quinton Hazel are top quality - I bought some of their discs in 1978 for a Granada and they were superb for the price .... I wouldn't hesitate at that make.

I get the distinct feeling we are all being taken for a jolly ride with pads and discs .................. label them as 'Fast-Road' ... 'Rally Spec' ... 'Hot-Road' and you can add a premium and some of us mugs will pay!

Pete

Wildman

There was a recent article in one of the motor mags saying Subaru were cutting their prices in response to complaints about overcharging.

I'm convinced enough to order discs.

pslewis, or anyone else, have you tried the pads from sapmotorparts.com?

Peter.

Wildman

I ordered both discs and pads. They were both Quinton Hazel, which Pete and greasemonkey recommended. The brakes are now very keen so I'm pleased with them, but the rear wheels are getting warm. I'm going to post a thread asking if anyone knows about that?

Peter

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

my first set warped in about a month as i was using old uneven pads which is a

phoned them up and no questions asked they sent out a new set and told me to send back old ones once its all done. top service.

bob

pslewis

Good to see thread back!

Pete

mattjbvfr

Have had front discs and pads from SAP fitted to my '97 Turbo for 3 months now. I don't perceive any difference from the OEM parts (although I am not a heavy braker). The discs are QH and the pads Brakeworld. At £70.37 all-in I'm well happy.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

I'm getting a bit cheesed off now as I keep warping the discs with no real heavy use.

Surely cant be sending them back again?

Bob

spikus1969

Bob

have you tried the EBC discs yet mate????

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Haven't tried EBC. Have cracked and warped 2 sets of Pagids and 2 sets from SAP now.



Bob

stockcar

BOB'5 -
what pads/driving use do you have?? what discs??
did you check the condition of pads before change, etc??

alyn - asperformance.com

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

1st set was new pagid grooved with blue pads......warped within a month.
...discs were replaced and lasted about 6-8 months before they cracked and warped
3rd set new std discs (from sap) using old uneven pads...warped within 1 month
4th set new std discs (replaced by sap) and new EBC ceramic pads....been on for around 8 weeks now and begining to feel slight vibration on braking @60mph+.

Whats the solution? Get 'em skimmed on the hubs? Check hub for run-out?

Bob

stockcar

would suggest that there is possibly another problem (please take all answers in context as i don't have any knowledge of you or your car)..............

could be the way you "bed-in" the discs and pads, sticky or seized caliper, hard aggressive braking without allowing to "cool" before parking up, basic fitment issues, worn wheel bearings, etc.................just a few pointers to hopefully allow you to I.D. your issue, would need more detailed info. to be more specific - BUT it seems too coincidental that you are onto the 4th set of discs in a short space of time..........

cheers, alyn - asperformance.com

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

I brought the pagid setup from Midland Impreza who gave me totally wrong beeding in procedures so that could account for Pagids I guess.

Uneven pads probably to blame for 1st set of std discs.

Dont think its the fitting as first 3 sets were fitted by diff garages. 4th set by myself.

Havent even gone mad with braking on the std discs. Bedding in on this set was gently braking for 500 odd miles with the odd harder brake (as you must when on the road). EBC pads have material on pad to help condition the discs to make bedding in easier.

How do I go about checking bearing, calipers etc?

Thanks for the help...appreciated

mw2655

hi, i ordered discs and pads all round from sapmotorparts, £170.09 altogether and delivererd quickly.
i've only just opened them up, the discs look right but the pads don't.

the front pads(brake world) have the right code BP1016 hand written on the box, but they look too big abd it says 200SX on the box.

does a my00 turbo and a 200sx have the same pads?

and the rears (biro 1233) printed 1143 from apec are for subaru forester 07.97...
i take it impreza and forester use the same rear brakes?

cheers matt

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Going by the ebc box....pads the same for Skyline and 300ZX.

Pads do look quite different out of the calipers. I thought the same about mine.

Check your part numbers with supplier.

Bob

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

that was for the fronts BTW.

Bob

mw2655

here's a pic of the pads for one side, thet don't look right....