AudiWorld Forums

Audi A4 B7/B8: Brake Pad Reviews

There are a multitude of brake pad options on the market. Deciphering which one will be right for you can be a chore. This article reviews a few of the brake pads to give you a better idea of what pads are available and used by those on the forum.

By Paul Johnson - March 23, 2016

This article applies to the Audi A4 B7 and A4 B8 (2005-2015).

Brake pads are always needed for Audis, as well as any other vehicle, they are a wear and tear item after all. Deciding which kind of brakes are needed, whether mild OEM types or full out noisy race versions, is dictated by your driving style. This article will hopefully help you decide what is best for you and your car.

Brake Pad Reviews
Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramic
Akebono Premium Ceramic
Hawk HPS
Audi OEM
Price
 $35 front, $28 rear $68 front, $47 rear $101 front, $60 rear $107 front, $63 rear
Dust Amount
 Low Low Moderate High
Noise Amount
 Low to Moderate Low Low to Moderate Low
Braking Power
 Moderate Moderate Moderate High
Best Quality: Audi OEM

Best Value: Akebono Premium Ceramic

Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramic

Wagner TQ

Price –$35 front, $28 rear

Dust Amount – Low

Noise Amount – Low to Moderate

Braking Power – Moderate

The Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramic pads come from the leader in the US brake pad industry. Like the Akebono pads, these pads are nearly dust-less and will leave your rims clean with no comparison to the deposits from the OEM pads. These pads have been reviewed as being a little bit noisy, though. They were the lowest priced pads in this review, but didn't get the nod for the best value. Wagner may be the largest in the US, but this doesn't mean they are the best. They are, however, not a bad all around pad considering how much they cost.

Related Video: Wagner ThermoQuiet Review

Akebono Premium Ceramic

Akebono Brake Pads

Price – $68 front, $47 rear

Dust Amount – Low

Noise Amount – Low

Braking Power – Moderate

The Akebono brake pads gain a good reputation on the forum. They are a good mix of street and track performance. Considering they are ceramic, dust levels are all but non-existent. These are also considered very quiet pads for the performance you receive. These pads will not brake as hard as OEM, but will last longer and cause less rotor wear than will OEM. They also stand up well to heat soak. Overall, considering the price point and overall performance, these are a good value for what you get.

Related Video: Akebono Brake Pad Talk

Hawk HPS

Hawk HPS Pads

Price – $101 front, $60 rear

Dust Amount – Moderate

Noise Amount – Low to Moderate

Braking Power – Moderate

The Hawk HPS (High Performance Street) brake pads received mixed reviews on the forum. Most would admit they are a decent pad for the price, though they don't stop as well as the OEM. Increased pedal pressure is needed to acquire the same amount of braking force. The bite is not nearly as hard as OEM, which some like better as it performs in a more linear fashion. Noise was also a mixed review, some stating they were quiet while others sensed more noise. At about the same price as OEM pads, the OEM will take the contest of these two hands down from a shear performance aspect. There are other Hawks pads which will perform much better than the HPS, but you'll be sure to pay more for them as well.

Related Video: GTI MKVI Brake Pads and Rotors

Audi OEM

Audi

Price – $107 front, $63 rear

Dust Amount – High

Noise Amount – Low

Braking Power – High

Generally considered the best stopping pads of this review, the Audi OEM pads have the edge in this department over the other three. The large drawback to the OEM pads is the dust. Like most pads from European auto manufacturer, these pads will leave your rims coated in black dust in no time. Cleaning your wheels will be a routine if you want your A4 to look its best. These pads, while not a track day pad, will hold up relatively well if used in aggressive back road driving. They also have a tendency to chew up your rotors faster than the other brands. These pads will provide you a good mix of both in every day street as well as spirited driving, as long as you can stand the dust. For the money, though, there are better options out there.

Related Discussions and Sites