Brake Options for the Mazda 3

[everfeb]

Ok ... the CDN distributor now lists Brembo blanks for the 3 ...I have a call into my contact to see what is going on ... availability, price etc.


Moose

Moose...what have you found out? Thanks

[everfeb]

Doing normal city/highway driving what would be the least expensive, acceptable rotor/pad combination?
MOOSE..are you a seller of rotors/pads?
Thanks

[CanadaGTO]

I've had customers purchase both EBC Greenstuff and Hawk pads, both have made them happy. I've only sold the KVR rotors so far for the 3, and no complaints there either. The price/quality is a delicate balance, but I wouldn't recommend going cheap on either the pads or rotors, especially those $35 EBay rotors

[MidnightSpeed]

Powerslot also makes some slotted replacement rotors for our cars too.

2.0L - Front Left/Front Right
768 PSL 768 PSR
Rear Left/Rear Right
765 PSL 765 PSR

2.3L - Front Left/Front Right
769 PSL 769 PSR
Rear Left/Rear Right
766 PSL 766 PSR

[MAZDA Kitten]

I've had customers purchase both EBC Greenstuff and Hawk pads, both have made them happy. I've only sold the KVR rotors so far for the 3, and no complaints there either. The price/quality is a delicate balance, but I wouldn't recommend going cheap on either the pads or rotors, especially those $35 EBay rotors

I will post my review about the greenstuff's as soon as I got 'em on my car

[wingnut12]

Great post. Especially since I'm looking for new pads, and possibly rotors within the next month or so.

MazdaKitten, did you ever get the EBC greens? If so, how did you like them?

[Fuman]

I'm looking to change my brake pads to hawks.
can someone fill me in on the difference between
their ceramic and hps series brake pads? (for mazda 3 2006 gt sedan)

cta patrique, do you still carry these pads?

edit: hawk's website description wasn't too useful.

[Elder_MMHS]

Hawk Ceramic are low noise + dust. Not sure about the performance. I believe it would be equal-to or better than OEM pads.

The HPS pads are "normal amounts of dust" and probably a bit more noise. Performance should be better than OEM for sure, though I think they will probably need to heat up a bit to get to proper operating temps. I have a friend who uses these plus some slotted rotors on his 3 and his brakes are substantially less than OEM performance at the beginning of his work commute.

I know some drivers who have also used HP+ and they are basically more extreme versions of HPS - even more resistant to brake fade caused by pads and can endure more abuse from track days but take even longer to warm up to proper operating temperature and can squeal a fair bit. These are street-able but probably not recommended for daily driving. Best thing would be to put them on for track days, drive to the track, have fun, drive home, put back OEM pads.

Not that you asked, but I would recommend that if you want shorter stopping distances on the street and you don't autocross or track, you should consider getting better tires first. They're more expensive than pads, but they will really help you all-around in more applicable everyday situations. Actually, the OEM pads are probably even pretty decent for autocross as you don't do a lot of high-speed braking. I know with OEM tires, it was my traction that gave way first before the brakes.

Oh and BTW, the Mazda3 parts numbers for Hawk in the first post seemed off. Here are the values from their website:

Front:

HPS Part: HB519F.682
HP PLUS Part: HB519N.682

Rear:

HPS Part: HB478F.605
Ceramic Part: HB478Z.605
HP PLUS Part: HB478N.605

[3GFX]

Okay, its that time.

I just got told by the dealer I need to replace my rear pads. So I want to replace my braking setup to all new. I'm looking for a slight performance upgrade in pads. I'm wondering if its worth it or should I just pick up a set of pads from Canadian Tire. I'm looking into the Hawk HPS they seem right up my ally.

What gets expensive is that I'd like to replace my discs as well. I want either slotted or cross drilled OE Replacements.

I want to replace but improve a little at the same time. Where can I find a good deal. I really don't want to put a huge hole in the wallet. HELP ME!!! (Sponsors?)

[3GFX]

Bump! Anyone?

[Elder_MMHS]

Hawks HPS seem to be marginal better than OEM performance-wise but I haven't done quantitative tests. Where they definitely are better is in resistance to glazing if you do frequent heavy braking.

For daily driving, I've noticed that they do squeal slightly when cold and brake application is light (i.e. when you come to a relatively gentle stop at an intersection). It's a bit annoying as I never had this symptom with the OE pads.

Otherwise I've been running with Hawk HPS on all four corners for about 7 months now with no issue. I also replaced brake fluid around the same time.

Not sure about discs. The OEM discs seem more than adequate performance-wise - we have huge brakes for what is technically an economy car. But I guess slotted / cross-drilled look better. I wouldn't recommend changing them if your budget is limited.

[Flagrum_3]

Hawks HPS seem to be marginal better than OEM performance-wise but I haven't done quantitative tests. Where they definitely are better is in resistance to glazing if you do frequent heavy braking.

For daily driving, I've noticed that they do squeal slightly when cold and brake application is light (i.e. when you come to a relatively gentle stop at an intersection). It's a bit annoying as I never had this symptom with the OE pads.

Otherwise I've been running with Hawk HPS on all four corners for about 7 months now with no issue. I also replaced brake fluid around the same time.

Not sure about discs. The OEM discs seem more than adequate performance-wise - we have huge brakes for what is technically an economy car. But I guess slotted / cross-drilled look better. I wouldn't recommend changing them if your budget is limited.

Thanks for the informative write up Elder! ...best one I've read so far! I'm in the same boat as 3GFX and am planning on the HPS pads, as for rotors, if I can't find some zinc-coated blanks or slotted ones.I think I'll stick with the oem, your right they seem pretty good for the money.


_3


.

[3GFX]

I was suprised at how in expensive the OEM rotors are from Mazda. They are roughly $50 a piece which is awesome! The pads on the other hand, its cheaper to actually get an aftermarket performance set!

I'm still in search of rotors that are within my range....

[Elder_MMHS]

One more addition - if you are doing frequent hard braking, you'll want to change brake fluid above all else. It will likely boil and cause brake fade long before your pads glaze.

Fluid > Pads > Rotors.

Long, informative read:
http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...fluid_1a.shtml

[Fuman]

EBC Red stuff is also now available for the 3:
Front: DP31524
Rear: DP31354

Part number is revised for EBC Red Stuff:
Front - DP31524C
Rear - DP31354C
Can a mod add this to the brake options list in post #1?
Thanks,

[S.F.W.]

under what category?

[Fuman]

under what category?

Street / Track / Autocross / HDPE Pads pads please.

[ggn00b]

looking to change my brake pads very soon does anyone have any suggestions for the best bang for your buck???

[Fuman]

looking to change my brake pads very soon does anyone have any suggestions for the best bang for your buck???

ppl here would say Hawk HPS.
I was brave and tried Redstuff: Stay away from RedStuff. They squeal like a mofo on my car.

[mogul_pro]

"Big Brake Kits ...Not that you really need it

-TCE Performance products
Front 13\" kit with 4 piston calipers
Rear 11.75\" kit with OE calipers

-Rotora
Front 13\" kit with 4 piston calipers"

___________

Brembo
Ksport
Xendo

3 companies not listed that do make Big Brake Kits for the Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3.

[doughboyr6]

i think i heard my first sign of low pad wear last night....fingers crossed and i'll be throwing my goodies on....lol

i didn't know OEM rotors are so affordable....

[LockOut]

Can someone confirm that the OEM rotors are actually as cheap as people are saying? They definitely seem to do the trick... especially at $200/set...

[doughboyr6]

best bet is to contact joe (flipdaddy)

[KenYork]

Well I can confirm the rear ones about $110 after taxes at MOT.

[jliu]

Anyone got a link for cross drilled rotors?

I haven't had a chance to take off my wheels yet, but are the OEM rotors vented?

Also, My parking/e-brake is pretty stiff, I don't really mind it, but is that normal? It doesn't go up very high in order to set it.