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Audi A3: Brake Pad Reviews

There is a world of difference between the way cheap chain store pads stop your car and the way high performance pads bite, and keep working even when hot. Some pads are prone to leaving your wheels a dusty mess, and some are known to be annoyingly loud, so some research is essential.

By Jeffrey Bausch - March 23, 2016

This article applies to the Audi A3 (2003-2016).

Like most Audis, the A3 will tell you when the time comes for new brake pads, thanks to the computer and sensors. However, if you want a pad with a more aggressive bite, better fade resistance, more stopping power, less dust, or just a quieter pad, it pays to spend a little more and seek out something other than the OEM replacement, or cheap chain store parts. The forums are a wealth of information if you care to search and read the threads, but if you don't, we have three of the most popular brands reviewed right here.

Worn brake pad versus new brake pad
Figure 1. Worn brake pad versus new brake pad.

Brake Pads
Stop Tech
Hawk Performance
EBC Brakes
Price
 $70 $50 $50
Performance
 Adequate

Excellent

Excellent
Lifespan
 Average Long Long
Warranty
 3 month or 3k miles against defects in materials and workmanship Limited lifetime warranty against defects from workmanship and materials 12 months or 10k miles against defects in materials and workmanship
Dust
 Little to none Little to none Practically none
Noise
 Little Some Almost none
Best Quality: EBC Brakes

Best Value: EBC Brakes

Stop Tech

Price – $70

Performance – Adequate

Lifespan – Average

Warranty – 3 month or 3k miles against defects in materials and workmanship

Dust – Little to none

Noise – Little

Drivers who’ve bought Stop Tech brake pads often complain about having been suckered into buying a more expensive product believing it to be of higher quality, and yet, there’s no real upgrade. These pads are average at best, though better than the stock OEM parts. They do not deliver as much brake dust as some more affordable alternatives, but the stopping power of the pads themselves is no reason to pay more. Regardless, they are an upgrade over OEM pads, tend to perform quietly, and again, little to no dusting. Best for drivers looking for a complete brake upgrade, or big brakes, not just replacement pads.

Hawk Performance

Price – $50

Performance – Excellent

Lifespan – Long

Warranty – Limited lifetime warranty against defects from workmanship and materials

Dust – Little to none

Noise – Some

A3 drivers who’ve installed Hawk brake pads report being pleased with the product’s performance, specifically citing no fade of the pads themselves, and a smoother, more reliable stopping performance over OEM brake pads. Little to no dusting, hardly any noise, and easy installation, were some of the other benefits to going with this brand. Best for drivers looking for a fade resistant pad for high performance use.

EBC Brakes

Price – $50

Performance – Excellent

Lifespan – Long

Warranty – 12 months or 10k miles against defects in materials and workmanship

Dust – Practically none

Noise – Almost none

Audi A3 drivers like to go with EBC brakes because they perform exceptionally well and they’re also more affordable than some other options out there. Reviewers of this specific brake pad cite a more responsive stop, with lower pedal effort and a firmer feel. There’s little to no fade of the pads over time, hardly any dusting and virtually no noise. One complaint—they’re a bit more difficult to install; that is, you need to bed the pads in. If you follow the instructions, the A3 will brake much, much better. Best all around choice for noise, dust and performance.

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