TEXTAR EPADS- anyone else using them?

[MACK]

Hi, as the title really.

I've got these ceramic Epads all round paired with brembo discs on my 3.0i (running 3.0Si front brakes), they've been on for about 4-5 months now and I'm interested in the thoughts of anyone else using them.

Undoubtedly they're brilliant at reducing brake dust but I'm genuinely unsure about their braking performance. The initial bite definitely doesn't seem as great as the standard (well mintex) pads that came off, but that said they do seem to scrub the speed off reasonably well. I guess I was just expecting a bit more when I upgraded from 3.0 brakes to the 3.0Si setup. I actually don't know if I was expecting a bit too much from this setup as I spend a lot of my time driving other more modern BMW's equipped with the 4 pot m sport brakes on the company cars and the wife's car.
I've been contemplating trying some normal/standard brake pads to see if they improve things but before I do I thought I'd see what others who are using Epads think of them.

Thanks

 

[ben g]

I have them, along with drilled and grooved discs on my 3.0i. I think they are great at stopping me or slowing me down at speed. Can't say I've ever had a problem worrying about hitting the car or bush infront of me when applying the brakes.

The low dust is also an added bonus.

 

[Darkangelv2]

Same - great braking and lower dust on dimpled and grooved discs. Love them.

I also did tge 3.0si upgrade :evil:

 

[AlienZed]

I've used em for 4yrs ,luv em ,hotter they get better they bite on .great on the swiss passes.

 

[Ewazix]

Same here, I would say they have fractionally less initial cold bite but better fade resistance when hot, less dust and what there is isn't full of burnt iron so doesn't stick. Well worth the money.

 

[dhobbs]

Got them on my VW touran and not impressed by the lack of initial bite, but do stop you.

Got a set for the Z4 plus Brembo drilled discs, but yet to fit them (job for the Xmas holiday )
Maybe the bedding in procedure will help with the initial bite.

 

[MACK]

Thanks for all the replies folks. It looks like maybe I was expecting a bit too much with my judgement clouded by the other cars I drive and the lack of initial bite. I think I will stick with them for now then

 

[JINGLE]

I have them, I only have a 2.0 but did the 3.0Si upgrade at the same time so was a massive improvement for me!

I’ve never tracked a car or anything like that so very much doubt I would ever reach the pads limits, but loving the lower dust and more than happy with the performance

 

[Ewazix]

I checked my E-pads as part of my usual winter maintenance programme (aka fecking about hiding in the garage) and noticed they were more polished than expected, not heat glazed but definitely not the usual pitted grainy surface. The pads have only done 1,500 miles and I'm not naturally fierce on the brakes so I'm wondering if the high ceramic (low iron) e-pads have a tendency to 'polish' when used gently and need a good work-out now and then? This could explain the slight lack of initial bite when cold but better than standard performance when hot?

Or maybe they are just a marginally harder pad than standard ? Either way I rate them better than the standard pads which I felt lacked a bit under pressure and were very dusty.

 

[MACK]

Just to resurrect this thread, I'm being to wonder if epads are being discontinued. I was trying to find some for my wife's car last week and couldnt so I thought I'd just check if they were still available for my zed. I couldnt find them listed for it anymore in the usual places. Can anyone shine some light on if they're still available.

 

[Johnr32]

Still available from ECP when I checked last week..

Just to resurrect this thread, I'm being to wonder if epads are being discontinued. I was trying to find some for my wife's car last week and couldnt so I thought I'd just check if they were still available for my zed. I couldnt find them listed for it anymore in the usual places. Can anyone shine some light on if they're still available.

 

[Jl-c]

I’ve bought but not fitted yet. When the current ones are shot I will replace discs all round and fit them then. Interesting to see opinions of them.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I did and they were great, same performance with less dust. Though take them off if you go on track, they didn't last :lol:

 

[MACK]

Still available from ECP when I checked last week..

Just to resurrect this thread, I'm being to wonder if epads are being discontinued. I was trying to find some for my wife's car last week and couldnt so I thought I'd just check if they were still available for my zed. I couldnt find them listed for it anymore in the usual places. Can anyone shine some light on if they're still available.

Well I don't know what your seeing that I'm missing but I've just been back on and I can see the standard textar pads on ECP site but not the Epads

 

[Billbob10]

Got yellowstuff pads in mine they are spot on

 

[mr nurburgring]

I went to euro car parts and couldn’t get e-pads so chose ebc green. I have used these pads before and they are awesome. Berry little dust and no fade. Recommended.

 

[MACK]

I went to euro car parts and couldn’t get e-pads so chose ebc green. I have used these pads before and they are awesome. Berry little dust and no fade. Recommended.

I'd forgot about EBC and their greenstuff pads, as you say and everything else that I've read about them indicates they are a good alternative to the Epad. They were what I was going to try on mine had the Epads not been available last year.

Got yellowstuff pads in mine they are spot on

.
How do you find their braking performance and dust levels?

 

[Johnr32]

Got yellowstuff pads in mine they are spot on

I have yellowstuff and cant really complain, they are perfect for a fast road use. I've not tried anything below that i.e green and reds because I've heard bad things about them.

My mistake, it is just the normal textars. Didnt realise the difference between the normal and E pads. Im assuming the E's have a higher friction coefficient?

Still available from ECP when I checked last week..

Just to resurrect this thread, I'm being to wonder if epads are being discontinued. I was trying to find some for my wife's car last week and couldnt so I thought I'd just check if they were still available for my zed. I couldnt find them listed for it anymore in the usual places. Can anyone shine some light on if they're still available.

Well I don't know what your seeing that I'm missing but I've just been back on and I can see the standard textar pads on ECP site but not the Epads

 

[MACK]

Got yellowstuff pads in mine they are spot on

I have yellowstuff and cant really complain, they are perfect for a fast road use. I've not tried anything below that i.e green and reds because I've heard bad things about them.

My mistake, it is just the normal textars. Didnt realise the difference between the normal and E pads. Im assuming the E's have a higher friction coefficient?

Still available from ECP when I checked last week..

Well I don't know what your seeing that I'm missing but I've just been back on and I can see the standard textar pads on ECP site but not the Epads

IIRC the Epads and standard pads have a similar friction coefficient. The difference is the Epads are ceramic and produce a lot less dust. Its not like the EBC green/red/yellow spec etc

 

[road warrior]

Got yellowstuff pads in mine they are spot on

you have to stand on yellow, so driving like miss daisy wont warm them up enough