mx5cartalk.com

Hey all.

Simple question seeking simple answers.
I am upgrading pads on stock NA8 discs.
Any comments on Hawk HPS, EBC Green Stuff, etc. ?

I don't take her to the track, but do enjoy a spirited drive fairly often, just want a MUCH HARDER bite than OEM pads.

Heard quite a few mixed reactions from EBC Green stuff so went ahead with the Bendix Ultmates. Only problems with them is the amount of break dust, thank god for black rims

This topic has been covered dozens of times, Im sure if you use the search function you will find heaps of information..

AAaaaah!! if I click \"Search\" at the top of the screen below all the ads ..... I can search for keywords. Eureka Sorry folks

i would avoid hawk pads - apparently they eat disks pretty quick.

i have ultimates and am very happy - a bit dusty but its not that big of a deal.

Thanks fellas. Dust is not an issue with me.
I checked past threads here and on Miata.net, and Im getting mixed signals. 90% of people say Hawk is good, EBC is 70% good. Bendix seem to be a general crowd pleaser. I can't find anything on Bendix in the US.

I found some discussion on Ferodo DS2500. I have Ferodo Zero on my Ford Festiva, and even though people bag out the \"cheapy\" Ferodos' I reckon they are very good. HUGE stopping power compared to stock. But LOTS of dust.

I can get a set of Hawk HPS F&R for approx $175 AUD fully shipped from US.
Where is the cheapest place to buy a full set of Bendix Ultimates? how much?

If dust is not a problem, then go a set of Hawk HP plus... They will slow you down in a hurry, and change your mind about dust not being a problem. They take a little while to warm up, but once they are at temp they are great.

I wouldnt use them on a road car though, a bit too noisy/dusty/abrasive for my liking..

ohh...did i meantion they are really dusty??

yes ... yes you did mention something about it being dusty Never fear, I wipe down the Festiva's wheels on a weekly basis. As great man once said \"Aaahh ... I love the smell of brake dust in the morning\"

i find my Hawk HP+'s to be a fair bit less dusty than the bendix ultimates i had previously.

I run Race Brakes RB74's in the front and Comp 2's in the back.
Work well at cold temps, work great when they get hot.
More than happy with them on the road and track.
Jake

Ok ... Hawk = great but some dust, Bendix = Very good full stop, EBC = Uhmmmm.
We don't have Race Brakes in Brisbane (or at least I never seen one) but we do have a mob called Brakes Plus (?) [those big green buildings]. I have queried brake applications from them, they obviously know their stuff but I'm just not sure of the quality though.
I might end up going with them just for the sake of being different and supporting local business.

RB74s are like using blocks of hardwood feel wise!! Ferodo ds2500s will do everything you want and last 50000klms but some people don't like the price of them. Why not just get standard Bendix Advance? They stop well and if you are not going onto the track, will do everything you ever need - and they are about $80 a set....

I had the Advance on my NA and they were OK. A step up from the stock pads I thought. I put them on my NB8B and had really bad squealing problems. I rang the Bendix info line for some advice and the guy said they dont recomend Advances for MX5's. He had an MX5 and he ran Metal Kings. He sent me a set out at no charge so I stuck them in. (PS does anyone want a set of almost new front Advances for a NB8B that squeal a lot?)

I find the Metal Kings stop exceptionally well when they are cold/cool but after a few hard stops they dont stop any more until they cool down again. They are more dusty than stock pads and are more aggressive on the rotor but at least they dont squeal. I wont be getting them again. I thought the stock pads were a better compromise for street driving.

PS I have to agree with CT about the RB74's at least on a NA6 I drove. No feel and not much grip. Blocks of wood is the perfect analogy.

CT,
No argument there, certainly don't offer the best feel.
Jake

Garry, Metal Kings DECREASE their stopping power the hotter they get?? Never heard that before. I don't think I will go for these anyways as the concensus is that they definitely eat up rotors more than most.
As with those that have commented on the Hawk HP+, I was actually wanting to get a set of Hawk HPS. These are supposed to be a step down from track-biased HP+, and more suitable for road use as it produces less dust and better braking at lower temps. Anyone use HPS'ses?