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Hey all,

time for new front pads for my NA6. Had a look through the posts for alternatives, but could only find stuff for NB8 and or competition. Are the standard Mazda ones acceptable performance for the money or is there better to be had?

I'd recommend OEM......but you'll get as many recommendations for other brands as there are people with different brands - or who have heard of different brands

I bought Hawk HPS which are yet to be fitted, cause they are the best value that I found @ $180USD delivered, front and rear ..... but after reading Charlie Brown's replies in Hellmun's thread, I am rather anxious.

The guys in the US love them though.

Bendix Ultimates seem to be the go with many forumites.

I'll be getting a second set of RB74's for mine this week from www.racebrakes.com.au

From all the discussion I've had with people on the forum and at trackdays. It's very dependant on what you need them for. Generally the oem are supposed to be excellent..but expensive.

To help you out you might want to mention what's important to you. Low noise, cold friction, dust, temperature range etc.

i've only used oem and bendix ultimate (or advance , i can't remember) . the oem pads are excellent for spirited driving. the bendix are a bit better , i noticed an improvement, but they are a LOT dustier. my front wheels are covered in black brake dust all the time now.

Out of curiosity are there pads that DONT have the wear indicator (the grove down the middle of the pad).

More surface area to stop better

Fatty wrote:i've only used oem and bendix ultimate (or advance , i can't remember) . the oem pads are excellent for spirited driving. the bendix are a bit better , i noticed an improvement, but they are a LOT dustier. my front wheels are covered in black brake dust all the time now.

Sounds like Ultimates .. I wasn't that impressed with the Bendix Advance.

Hi guys,

thanks for the excellent feedback.
Hellmun, they're just for normal driving; day-to-day commute.

wun911 wrote:Out of curiosity are there pads that DONT have the wear indicator (the grove down the middle of the pad).

More surface area to stop better

The groove isn't a wear indicator, it's there to aid cooling and reduce squealing. The wear indicators are the clips that are fitted with the pads - when they contact the disc they make a nasty noise that tells you it's time for new pads.

Thanks for the info...

Will probably get oem pads next time I never see track days and its a daily driver...

I think you will find that the \"genuine\" NA6 brake pads are a \"Mazda approved\" spare part and are mearly repackaged Bendix povo pads and not as good as the dinky di made in Japan OE pads. I could be wrong, I usually am apparently, but that's what I was told.

Hawks are awesome.

I run HP+ but if its street only 100% then go HPS

I use the Bendix Ultimates - need a bit to warm up and are quite dusty however they are bloody brilliant

Hawk HP+ are a struggle on the road. Initial bite isn't the best and they are noisy as hell, but on the track they are great. I now use Bendix Ultimates, though they are very dusty. Might try RB74's next time.