I tried searching the site up but I couldn't find any information directly relating, so here's my question.

2003 Inifniti G35 Sedan

My front brakes are at 3 mms according to my dealer, so I'll be needing new Brake Pads and new rotors. The dealer quoted me about $350 for the manufacturer parts and I think the price was about $480 with labor so I told them I'd get it done somewhere else.

I dont want loud brakes or anything like that, as long as the pads/rotors are as good/better and cheaper than the factories, and last a long time then i'll be happy.

Any recomendations on brands? Also I'm not sure exactly what I'll be purchasing. I went on tirerack and found some Brembo Replacement Rotors but i could only find one for the Front Left Fitment, i'm assuming I'll also need a Front Right Fitment? lol Anything else that I'll be needing other than brakes and rotors? I've been quoted 75 bux for the labor by a mechanic that I know if I purchase my own parts which is a pretty good deal I think. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

If you're sick of the OEM brake dusting on your front wheels, I highly suggest going w/ aftermarket pads that produce a lot less dust. I did some research on here & found that Metal Matrix and Hawk HPS are good ones. I personally am going w/ the Hawk HPS Street Pads (you can get them on tire rack) and total parts is about $130 or so. Good luck!

 

Yea I was looking at the Hawk HPS High Performance Street Brake Pads, it says $65.00 on tirerack...I'm guessing that's for the front SET? Or do I need to buy two of them, one for the front left and one for the front right?

What about rotors? Which rotors work well with the Hawk HPS Street brake pads? I was looking at the Brembo Replacement rotor, is it a universal fit or do you need one for the left and one for the right? What about Frozen Rotors Frozen Rotors? Do they last significantly longer than the brembos? will they work with the Hawk? Someone help lol

 

i got the hawks at pepboys for $65

 

I have been using akebono brake pads with the stock rotors for about 1000 miles now. akebono makes a lot of oem brake pads for many cars. I think you can also get them at tirerack. Check out there reviews. I was also considering the Hawk HPs pads, but a shop said I would be happy with the akebono pads. So far, great pad, no noise, no dust. Different pedal feel, not as grabby as the oem pads. Just have to get used to it. Good luck!

 

+1 for Hawk HPS all around.

 

Anyone have an idea how the Hawk HPS compare to the upgraded 05 RWD sedan brake pads?

 

Yea i think i'm going with the hawks. How do I know which rotors are ok with it? my factory rotors need replacing too.

 

Personally i'd go with EBC green stuff pads and EBC slotted rotors, they're cheap and perform very well.
http://www.perfectbrakes.com/products.asp?cat=1959
-GP-

 

G35_Girl_69 - the $65 front is for BOTH....includes the L & R....then the rears are another $65 or $70 total (for both). I found a member on this forum who sells them & quoted me $125 total (incl. shipping) for the front & rears....let me know if you're interested & you can see if he can give you a similar deal. As for rotors, I've heard all good things about the Frozen Rotors on this forum. As for the Green Stuff mentioned above, that was my first initial choice, due to all the marketing about reducing dust, but after looking around/posting on this forum (actually, I started a thread I believe re: the Green Stuff pads) and asking advice, and the two most recommended were the Hawk & the Metal Matrix. The Green Stuff emit the same amount of low dust as the Hawks, and I heard the Green Stuff has a tendency to squeak.

 

what about the hawk ceramics? does anybody have them on their sedans? how do they compare to the hps?

 

From what I've heard/read/discussed w/ others, if you live in a cold climate - don't get ceramics! They need to be warmed up to work/stop more effectively than if they are cold....I think when they're cold, they don't work that well (worse than OEM). They perform better than OEM and Hawk HPS, but for my needs, I'm cool w/ the OEM stopping power & the HPS street pads as well. IMO, if you track your car, ceramics are the way to go; otherwise, just seems unneeded to me (oh yeah, I believe the ceramics emit almost zero dust as well).

Anyone else pls. chime in if I'm off/wrong w/ any of my claims above, but I think they're pretty accurate.

 

CERAMIC'S are such a broad marketing concept as most pads have some ceramic content in their formula, even the so called full metallic.

What you really want to know is the percentage of garbage filler [to take up space] and amount of crushed cashew shells and oil.

http://www.ornl.gov/~webworks/cppr/y2001/rpt/112956.pdf
http://www.ornl.gov/~webworks/cppr/y2001/rpt/110463.pdf
http://www.kynol.de/english/produkte.htm

 

Which is the best for the coupes with brembo:
1. Hawk HPS
2. Hawk HP Plus
3. Hawk Ceramic

I am looking for low brake dust, noise free, and all around stopping power. Thanks!