Identify These Brake Pads

[RandalJ]

I'm going to be replacing my warped rotors, and replacing the pads. I'm not sure what the previous owner used for pads (and I cannot contact the p.o.), but I've been pretty happy with them - little dust, and pretty decent stopping power, cold and warm.

I decided to pull one out to see if I could find the manufacturer and model. Here's what I found:



I tried lots of brake cleaner and rubbing, but I see no manufacturer name. Do any of you who do a lot of brakes recognize these? Here is a view of the pad side:



They've been on the car (my daily driver) for about 17k miles, including a two-day DE about two years ago... Seem to have held up well.

[JeremyD]

Look like Axxxis metal masters to me - just my guess

[Bill Verburg]

If they are not AXXIS then that is what you should get to replace them. They also go by the PBR name.

The EE is a DOT code indicating a street pad

[tshih]

They look like stock OEM pads with the cutout for the sensor indicator notch next to the holes for the retaining pins.

[RandalJ]

tshih - Non-OEM pads (Mintex, Axxis, etc.) are avaiable that way too, are they not?

Is the metal content "look" a dead giveaway that these are Metalmasters?

Thanks, all, for responding...

[JeremyD]

Mine were like that - the stock pads I had were not that "light" color where they met the rotors - the metal masters had a more alumimized look... and yes, most of the performance and OEM have the brake sensor cut out - or you can order them that way.

[Wil Ferch]

I believe the OEm pads have the cut outs for the sensors.....might be Jurid or Textar, I'd bet....

Wil

[John Brandt]

If dem arent Metalmasters
I'll eat 'em

[rbcsaver]

RandalJ,
Warped rotors? Are you sure. The late Carroll Smith wrote that it's rare as hen's teeth. I believe him. See the attached article:
<http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/warped_rotors_myth.htm>
regards,
Steve

[tshih]

Most non-OEM pads don't have the notch in the usual place and sometimes the holes for the pins aren't even the right size! I've stuck with OEM replacements from web dealers at $25-30 a set for the fronts and they've not given me fade at DE (with fresh brake fluid prior to each event). For street driving Mintex have been advertised to be less dusty in terms of wheel dust and seems to be fine. Track pads are replaced after 50% wear or good for only one more event on the side of caution.

[RandalJ]

Steve, thanks for the article. No, I'm not sure whether one or both are warped, or whether they have uneven pad deposits. Either way, I plan to replace (they're relatively cheap) and do the proper bedding-in of the pads, according to the manufacturer's directions.

Still not sure what pads I'll get, though.

tshih, I've done Metalmasters (E30 M3), Deluxes (85 535i), and Mintex Red Box (98 A4), and all of these had the notches the right size and in the right place for the wear sensors. All had satisfactory performance, though the Metalmasters we not as good as the others when cold. Have not done a 911 yet. Are you saying that the Mintex fit OK, but you have seen others that do not? Any specific brands that you had problems with?

I've seen a lot of praise on this board for the Metalmasters for street, but as I mentioned before, that first cold stop in the morning can be a bit unpredictable. And I'd forget and let someone drive it...

Anyone tried the Axxis Deluxe Plus? http://www.axxisbrakes.com/products.htm

Looks like the cold stopping power of the Deluxe, but better high temp performance.

[rbcsaver]

I have not yet used them, but many in our region like the Hawk Pads.
regards,
Steve

[Eric Coffey]

If you go to the dealer you will get either Jurid or Textar pads (as Wil mentioned). The Metal Masters are the best in the $$/pad ratio IMO though. Also, every aftermarket (street) pad I have seen has the wear sensor cut-out.

[Early_S_Man]

The 'BMXB' is definite factory stamped code for MetalMasters ... whether Repco or Axxis, I can't say for sure ...

[RandalJ]

Early_S_Man - thanks for the ID.

So I've been driving with Metal Masters all along and didn't know it. I guess I need not be so concerned about cold stops. It's funny how memory works. I distinctly remember coming to a stop from around 60 mph during morning rush our in my old M3 several years ago. The light had turned yellow, and it was one of those split second decisions to blow through or stop. I decided to stop, and when I stomped on the pedal, knew right away that I wasn't going to come to rest before the white line. I ended up several feet beyond where I had expected to stop. Fortunately there was no one in front of me, and I was not far enough out to be in the cross traffic, which hadn't started rolling yet anyway. There were a few more instances of "unexpectedly long stopping distances" in less dangerous situations, and these stuck in my mind at Metal Master traits. When I opted to go with the Deluxes on my 535i, it was night and day. Looking back, perhaps it was only aggressive stops when cold that brought this out.

I have not had the same impression with these pads on the 911. This may be because in my commute now I'm initially driving more neighborhood side streets at slower speeds, and am applying the brakes moderately as I round corners, giving the brakes time to warm up. Whereas before, I was right next to a highway, and sometimes stopping from 60 mph on first moring braking.

Anyway, thanks everyone for your interest and input.

Getting my new Bridgestone SO-3s today, by the way!

Randy

[Wil Ferch]

I've never had Metalmasters show poor cold ( first use) performance.....in any car I've used them in. Should be a good street / light-track-use compromise pad. Definitely less black brake dust than OEM stock.

Wil