Non-OEM brake pad reviews.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 161
Likes: 96
From: Seattle
Where are ya'll buying them from? I'm not worried about saving a few dollars, I'd rather buy from someplace that knows the F-Type and will help me choose parts and maintain it in the future. Only one of the forum sponsors seems to support the F-Type:
https://www.velocityap.com/product/j...-rear-ap-1752/
https://www.velocityap.com/product/j...-rear-ap-1095/
Spirited street driving with occasional windy road rallies is my use case, so I thought the R4-S sounded like the right fit, for my 2014 V8 S Convertible.
https://www.velocityap.com/product/j...-rear-ap-1752/
https://www.velocityap.com/product/j...-rear-ap-1095/
Spirited street driving with occasional windy road rallies is my use case, so I thought the R4-S sounded like the right fit, for my 2014 V8 S Convertible.
Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 6
From: USA
Thanks to jaglag's feedback on the R-4 (race compound, not R4s) I also put a set on my R for an upcoming track day. The OEMs were OK for maybe the first 10 mins each session then demonstrably lost stopping power, and the fluid was not overheated. Then again, it didn't help I was still on Pzeros which have since been replaced by PS4S (night and day improvement in both grip and smoothness even for street driving).
With 20 miles on the R-4 it's too early for consistent observations, and they are definitely very noisy for street use, but stops as well as OEMs even in cold street temps and pedal pressure is now progressive, easy to modulate without the grabbiness of OEMs. If considering these, PF makes these to order, takes 14 days from order to receipt, and don't have the clips holding the pads to the pistons / bracket holes or slots for wear sensor.
Another choice is EBC Yellows; have held up full 20-mins sessions in a heavy E AMG and work well on street with no noise, right through freezing temps. They do dust like the OEMs though.
With 20 miles on the R-4 it's too early for consistent observations, and they are definitely very noisy for street use, but stops as well as OEMs even in cold street temps and pedal pressure is now progressive, easy to modulate without the grabbiness of OEMs. If considering these, PF makes these to order, takes 14 days from order to receipt, and don't have the clips holding the pads to the pistons / bracket holes or slots for wear sensor.
Another choice is EBC Yellows; have held up full 20-mins sessions in a heavy E AMG and work well on street with no noise, right through freezing temps. They do dust like the OEMs though.
Check out the prices at : LPI Racing. The R4-S coming in at $123 for the front axle (AP 1750 R4-S) and $90 for the rear (AP 1753 R4-S). (Big Brakes)
Last edited by Unhingd; Oct 21, 2020 at 08:38 PM.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Adelaide, South Australia
Check out the prices at : LPI Racing. The R4-S coming in at $123 for the front axle (AP 1750 R4-S) and $90 for the rear (AP 1753 R4-S). (Big Brakes)
Not to disparage VAP but the LPI prices were much cheaper at the time (two years ago), dunno about now though.
Although I must admit the packaging left a bit to be desired, they were just chucked loosely into a cardboard box and the front pad clips/prongs had been bent almost flat so I had to bend them back into shape before fitting.
Yep, I bought my same size R4-S from LPI Racing.
Not to disparage VAP but the LPI prices were much cheaper at the time (two years ago), dunno about now though.
Although I must admit the packaging left a bit to be desired, they were just chucked loosely into a cardboard box and the front pad clips/prongs had been bent almost flat so I had to bend them back into shape before fitting.
Not to disparage VAP but the LPI prices were much cheaper at the time (two years ago), dunno about now though.
Although I must admit the packaging left a bit to be desired, they were just chucked loosely into a cardboard box and the front pad clips/prongs had been bent almost flat so I had to bend them back into shape before fitting.
I believe VAP is charging $190 for the front and $136 for the rear.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 117
Likes: 58
The R-4 is phenomenal. Progressive feel and no sign of fading or overheating whatsoever anytime during the 8 25 mins sessions. My first day was dry and second day pouring, so got to use them back to back. In the wet, the feel is great though the stopping power is strong it's easy to induce ABS. Not sure if this has do do with the P4S? Drove them on the street for a couple more weeks afterward before changing them out - in normal light stopping there isn't really any noise until moderate stops, then the squealing begins.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 660
Likes: 227
From: indianapolis
Also ordered from LPI - they actually sent the wrong pads - correct box for my car but someone put the wrong pads in it. LPI fixed it immediately and they were significantly cheaper than anywhere else and fast. Not following the “loose in the box comments” - they are hardened pads made to stop a two ton vehicle, not Faberge eggs - most end up needing to be persuade to slide into the caliper anyway.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 9,020
Likes: 3,658
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Also ordered from LPI - they actually sent the wrong pads - correct box for my car but someone put the wrong pads in it. LPI fixed it immediately and they were significantly cheaper than anywhere else and fast. Not following the “loose in the box comments” - they are hardened pads made to stop a two ton vehicle, not Faberge eggs - most end up needing to be persuade to slide into the caliper anyway.
Once they get thrown around and/or squished in a loosely packed unpadded box they bend very easily, no real biggie to bend them back into shape but that risks breaking or snapping one, where some simple bubble wrap inside the box would prevent this from happening.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Pennsylvania
Check out the prices at : LPI Racing. The R4-S coming in at $123 for the front axle (AP 1750 R4-S) and $90 for the rear (AP 1753 R4-S). (Big Brakes)
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 117
Likes: 58
Yep, I bought my same size R4-S from LPI Racing.
Not to disparage VAP but the LPI prices were much cheaper at the time (two years ago), dunno about now though.
Although I must admit the packaging left a bit to be desired, they were just chucked loosely into a cardboard box and the front pad clips/prongs had been bent almost flat so I had to bend them back into shape before fitting.
Not to disparage VAP but the LPI prices were much cheaper at the time (two years ago), dunno about now though.
Although I must admit the packaging left a bit to be desired, they were just chucked loosely into a cardboard box and the front pad clips/prongs had been bent almost flat so I had to bend them back into shape before fitting.
The R-4 (not the R4S) do not come with the clips. That did not affect braking performance and looking at the brakes when fully reassembled, not sure the clips’ purpose.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 9,020
Likes: 3,658
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Bought my R4 from LPI, better pricing than anyone else including V**. Steve and Monty at LPI were very helpful and provided guidance to help me make the final decision.
The R-4 (not the R4S) do not come with the clips. That did not affect braking performance and looking at the brakes when fully reassembled, not sure the clips’ purpose.
The R-4 (not the R4S) do not come with the clips. That did not affect braking performance and looking at the brakes when fully reassembled, not sure the clips’ purpose.
I can only guess they serve one or both of two purposes - to locate the pads correctly in the caliper, and to act as "anti-rattle" devices. But in which case why do the 380 mm calipers have those horribly difficult to refit external anti-rattle clips???? I have driven my old XFR without those anti-rattle clips fitted and I never heard any rattle at all!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 876
Likes: 238
From: South Coast - UK
FWIW - I concur with the thoughts on PF's.
R4 -S fitted front and back. Hellishly expensive this side of the pond, but worth it vs time spent cleaning the wheels/car.
Only difference's noted over OEM, more 'progressive' at light pedal pressure and of course the clincher...less bloody mess!
60 - 70% less dust being realistic IMO, and yes, I drive like I stole it ;-)
EDIT: No increased or noticeable noise over standard.
R4 -S fitted front and back. Hellishly expensive this side of the pond, but worth it vs time spent cleaning the wheels/car.
Only difference's noted over OEM, more 'progressive' at light pedal pressure and of course the clincher...less bloody mess!
60 - 70% less dust being realistic IMO, and yes, I drive like I stole it ;-)
EDIT: No increased or noticeable noise over standard.
Last edited by Tel; Oct 25, 2020 at 10:50 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Exit 30 in NorthWest NJ
From the comparisons here, it seems they absorb the squealing noises.
I'm not a scientist or acoustical engineer, though...
I'm not a scientist or acoustical engineer, though...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 117
Likes: 58
I'm not sure of the purpose of those clips either, although the OEM pads also have them.
I can only guess they serve one or both of two purposes - to locate the pads correctly in the caliper, and to act as "anti-rattle" devices. But in which case why do the 380 mm calipers have those horribly difficult to refit external anti-rattle clips???? I have driven my old XFR without those anti-rattle clips fitted and I never heard any rattle at all!
I can only guess they serve one or both of two purposes - to locate the pads correctly in the caliper, and to act as "anti-rattle" devices. But in which case why do the 380 mm calipers have those horribly difficult to refit external anti-rattle clips???? I have driven my old XFR without those anti-rattle clips fitted and I never heard any rattle at all!
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 9,020
Likes: 3,658
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Those pesky anti-rattle clips...as annoying as they are to put on, they unfortunately do keep the caliper and brake bracket separated so they do not bang into each other. I drove without these clips after installing the R4 because I couldn't get them back on, and heard metal clanking from the front whenever going over bumps - the calipers and brackets hitting each other. I learned to put the clips on when returning to stock pads yesterday (though destroyed a couple of the silver metal bits wrapping the ends of the clips) and the clanking is gone.
I dislodged them many times when attempting to refit the anti-rattle clips on my XFR and F-Type, but they go back on real easy.
Just open them up with a screwdriver, slide them back onto the ends/feet of the anti-rattle clips, then clamp them shut with some pliers.
That said I am not sure they make any real difference to the operation of the anti-rattle clips!
