I need to replace my pads and the dealer wants $400 for the rear brakes alone. I want to replace the pads with Hawks, but I'm not sure if I need to run the same pads on the front and back. I just had the front pads replaced(thank god for warranty)!

Anyone have any idea if they need to be the same

 

Go to Infinitipartsusa.com and get the OEM rear pads, shouldn't cost you more than $90 shipped. Replacing the rear pads is a *very* simple procedure.

In any case, you didn't mention which Hawk pad, but if you're thinking of the HPS then it might skew the brake bias a bit and might make your EBD work overtime. The Ceramics may be a better match to the front OEM's. I'm not really sure though as i don't know what the OEM pads are made of.

 

I'm not sure if you've used Hawk HPS pads before but they were terrible on my G35. I heard that Project mu pads are amazing.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/INFIN...#ht_922wt_1166

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/INFIN...#ht_902wt_1166


with stock rotors you don't need anything but OEM pads


if you upgrade the rotors you might think about aftermarket pads.

 

great point.. hawks all around!!

 

ok jk.. after further research, i think im gonna look at the project mu's thanks for bringing this up.

 

I would go oem. I recently replaced just the rears with Hawk ceramics and they dust way more than the oem pads. I haven't had a chance to replace the fronts yet so I'm still running the oem front pads. It's like night and day. The ceramics dust with the brown-colored tinge and it makes the fronts look clean. Unbelievable! Anyone want to buy a set of brand new front Hawk ceramics? LOL

 

I was wanting to look into an OEM fitting aftermarket rotor but not sure what to look for. I like the look of cross drilled and slotted but do those work well with OEM pads? any suggestions would be great.

 

i got stoptech ceramic pads from r1concepts and they are great and the dust is at least 60% LESS than stock so i am very happy with them

 

dust with Hawks?? I don't think you guys are getting the right Hawks....there are several different ones by Hawk

 

Being tired of judder issues and fighting with the dealership, I bought a set of Centric Premium rotors and Hawk pads (front and back). Still, at a last ditch attempt I was successful with judder TSB applied by the dealer which included cutting stock front rotors. Front OEM pads had 8mm left, rear - 3mm. I decided to save the Centrics/HawksHPS and get another set of rear OEM pads, since the X tends to eat through rears quicker than fronts. That way, I can replace both stock rotors and pads during with Centrics/HPS at the next brake change. Agree with soundmike that it's not a good idea to run different pads front/back (especially with AWD).

One thing that has me concerned about Hawk HPS is the lack of initial bite in cold weather. I may end up selling Hawks and go with something else...

I found the best deal for OEM pads at everythingg35.com (shameless plug), and got coupon code THANK10 at checkout which should shave 10% off cost

EDIT: Just read a few more reviews about Hawk HPS pad, and while the majority are positive, there are enough negative ones specifically pointing our the lack of initial bite when the pads are cold. Can't have that, Hawks are going to eBay.