[abcfgh]

I installed the Ferodo DS2500 pads along with new Zimmermann blank 2 piece rotors in the M235i and I'm pretty disappointed in these pads. After all the reading I had done, it seemed like they would be a decent street pad with some light tracking ability. I'd even heard that some people were experiencing some noise during street driving and it sounded like they were geared for aggressive driving, which I was looking forward to. Man, did I think wrong. I immediately noticed a reduction in bite from the stock M Sport Pads and yes I bedded them in properly. This is a 5k mile review so I've had quite some time on the new pads. At first, I thought maybe they required some extra heat to work. Nope, the bite just gets softer. In fact, with aggressive driving and triple digit braking or repeated braking in the local mountains at moderate speeds from like 45->20 or 60->30 or 70->40 stuff like that, the pads faded horribly. The pedal gets so soft and the braking force less and less that at that point I just slow down because I don't want to boil brake fluid and have the pedal go to the floor. This is aggressive driving on the street. I'm not on the track and the car has quite worn Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+'s. Car is 100% stock so accompanied by a the understeer that stock non-M BMW's have. On the flip side, I have not experienced any squeaking or any noises. It's like the pads aren't aggressive at all. I noticed they don't have the vibration isolators (chunks of metal) like the stock pads, but have not noticed any issues with vibrations, squeals, or squeaks during normal driving even at 30 Fahrenheit degree temps. Well maybe the slightest squeak when they're very hot after you've been railing on them. Anywho, I am thoroughly unimpressed with these pads and view them as a downgrade from the stock M Sport Pads. Maybe there was a formulation change? Who knows? I read something about copper being phased out of brake pads due to the EPA. I would have preferred more noise and dust in return for better braking, but sadly this was not the case.

So for anyone considering these, stick with the stock pads. sorry for the ranty review, but I'm not a fan of these pads. The stock pads are better in pretty much every way!

[BrettKA7]

Thanks for the review!

I think I'll go with EBC Yellow whenever my OEM pads wear out.

[abcfgh]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

Thanks for the review!

I think I'll go with EBC Yellow whenever my OEM pads wear out.

To be fair, I've tried EBC Yellow Stuff pads on my Hyundai Sonata. While they were a massive improvement over the stock pads, I think they're probably quite similar to the Ferodo DS2500. It's really just a street pad that can maybe handle some minimal track duty if you're in a light car like a Miata haha.

I'm wondering how the phaseout of copper in brake pads is affecting all brake pads.

[BrettKA7]

Originally Posted by abcfgh

To be fair, I've tried EBC Yellow Stuff pads on my Hyundai Sonata. While they were a massive improvement over the stock pads, I think they're probably quite similar to the Ferodo DS2500. It's really just a street pad that can maybe handle some minimal track duty if you're in a light car like a Miata haha.

I'm wondering how the phaseout of copper in brake pads is affecting all brake pads.

You think the EBC Yellow would also have a reduction in bite compared to the OE pads?

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by abcfgh

I installed the Ferodo DS2500 pads along with new Zimmermann blank 2 piece rotors in the M235i and I'm pretty disappointed in these pads. After all the reading I had done, it seemed like they would be a decent street pad with some light tracking ability. I'd even heard that some people were experiencing some noise during street driving and it sounded like they were geared for aggressive driving, which I was looking forward to. Man, did I think wrong. I immediately noticed a reduction in bite from the stock M Sport Pads and yes I bedded them in properly. This is a 5k mile review so I've had quite some time on the new pads. At first, I thought maybe they required some extra heat to work. Nope, the bite just gets softer. In fact, with aggressive driving and triple digit braking or repeated braking in the local mountains at moderate speeds from like 45->20 or 60->30 or 70->40 stuff like that, the pads faded horribly. The pedal gets so soft and the braking force less and less that at that point I just slow down because I don't want to boil brake fluid and have the pedal go to the floor. This is aggressive driving on the street. I'm not on the track and the car has quite worn Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+'s. Car is 100% stock so accompanied by a the understeer that stock non-M BMW's have. On the flip side, I have not experienced any squeaking or any noises. It's like the pads aren't aggressive at all. I noticed they don't have the vibration isolators (chunks of metal) like the stock pads, but have not noticed any issues with vibrations, squeals, or squeaks during normal driving even at 30 Fahrenheit degree temps. Well maybe the slightest squeak when they're very hot after you've been railing on them. Anywho, I am thoroughly unimpressed with these pads and view them as a downgrade from the stock M Sport Pads. Maybe there was a formulation change? Who knows? I read something about copper being phased out of brake pads due to the EPA. I would have preferred more noise and dust in return for better braking, but sadly this was not the case.

So for anyone considering these, stick with the stock pads. sorry for the ranty review, but I'm not a fan of these pads. The stock pads are better in pretty much every way!

No worries, you're not ranting. In fact, you're offering useful information.

As far as "triple digit braking or repeated braking in the local mountains [even at] at moderate speeds", the DS2500 won't necessarily stand up to that. This post shows the manufacturer's data for the DS2500 and other pads: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show...&postcount=215.

We have heavy, powerful cars. My opinion is that if an owner is going to lean on his car on the street he should consider, at a minimum, a moderately capable race pad. That will entail living with the accompanying noise and significantly increased amounts of brake dust that will need to be removed regularly if he wants to maintain the finish of his wheels.

[4Hockey4]

Sucks you didn't like, I was always under impression they had less bite then OEM, but could take a bit more temp before hard fade.

I used OEM on a light track day, they were done in 20 minutes...rested and got another 20 minutes out of...I'm learning to switch out...hell hard mtn roads OEM end quick..

Its either loud, dusty and good, or quiet, clean and OK it seems.

[ggggbmw]

I actually preferred the DS2500 over stock because they have less initial bite. I find the stock pads to be annoyingly twitchy/grabby at low street speeds. It's much easier to modulate the DS2500 for smooth stops, and to ease into them at higher speeds.

As for the fading, is your brake fluid fresh? Although not track pads, I found the DS2500 to have great performance when hot. Definitely less fade than the stock pads.

[JD11937]

Originally Posted by ggggbmw

I actually preferred the DS2500 over stock because they have less initial bite. I find the stock pads to be annoyingly twitchy/grabby at low street speeds. It's much easier to modulate the DS2500 for smooth stops, and to ease into them at higher speeds.

As for the fading, is your brake fluid fresh? Although not track pads, I found the DS2500 to have great performance when hot. Definitely less fade than the stock pads.

I agree with this also. Have found them to be much smoother and have less fade. They can be a little squeaky when cold though.

[kriszty]

Originally Posted by JD11937

I agree with this also. Have found them to be much smoother and have less fade. They can be a little squeaky when cold though.

have them too, much better then stock pads

[abcfgh]

The DS2500 pads that got installed are definitely waayyy more fade prone than the stock pads that got replaced. With all the good things people have said, it makes me wonder if there's been a pad compound change like I mentioned about the copper....

Link below for general info:
https://www.epa.gov/npdes/copper-free-brake-initiative

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by kriszty

have them too, much better then stock pads

There's no comparison.

I have had stock pads and EBC Yellows on track. Both were absolutely horrible in comparison to the DS2500.

[yaboibooch]

This thread is great. Not totally convinced to buy the 2500 pad now. What do people recommend for dual duty? Pagids? I hit the track 10-15 times per year depending on how much money I can spare on tires.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by yaboibooch

This thread is great. Not totally convinced to buy the 2500 pad now. What do people recommend for dual duty? Pagids? I hit the track 10-15 times per year depending on how much money I can spare on tires.

When I was still tracking mine, I ran Hawk DTC-70s front and rear. They're noisy on the street (you can drive so as to eliminate most of it), they dust like crazy, and they slow the car extremely well.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by yaboibooch

This thread is great. Not totally convinced to buy the 2500 pad now. What do people recommend for dual duty? Pagids? I hit the track 10-15 times per year depending on how much money I can spare on tires.

When I was still tracking mine, I ran Hawk DTC-70s front and rear. They're noisy on the street (you can drive so as to eliminate most of it), they dust like crazy, and they slow the car extremely well. They'll be too much pad for anything less than an Extreme Performance Summer tire, though.

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by dradernh

When I was still tracking mine, I ran Hawk DTC-70s front and rear. They're noisy on the street (you can drive so as to eliminate most of it), they dust like crazy, and they slow the car extremely well. They'll be too much pad for anything less than an Extreme Performance Summer tire, though.

That's the crux here that a lot of people looked over.

OP is running "quite worn Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+'s"... That tire, mildly worn, is not going to hold braking forces beyond that of the stock pads.

Don't bother with performance pads unless you have or are ready to buy, at a minimum, top end street rubber similar to the PS4S.

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by yaboibooch

This thread is great. Not totally convinced to buy the 2500 pad now. What do people recommend for dual duty? Pagids? I hit the track 10-15 times per year depending on how much money I can spare on tires.

Originally Posted by dradernh

When I was still tracking mine, I ran Hawk DTC-70s front and rear. They're noisy on the street (you can drive so as to eliminate most of it), they dust like crazy, and they slow the car extremely well. They'll be too much pad for anything less than an Extreme Performance Summer tire, though.

Agree with Dradernh's thoughts here. You definitely should skip any dual purpose pad if you are going to put that many days in a year. DTC-70s are a very popular and effective choice, as are the PAGID RSL29s.

To do 10-15 days a year on a 200tw tire you really only have one choice if you do not want to buy two sets, the Hankook RS4. The other tires in the category will get you 8-10 days depending on your alignment and street miles, if any.

[yaboibooch]

Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB

Agree with Dradernh's thoughts here. You definitely should skip any dual purpose pad if you are going to put that many days in a year. DTC-70s are a very popular and effective choice, as are the PAGID RSL29s.

To do 10-15 days a year on a 200tw tire you really only have one choice if you do not want to buy two sets, the Hankook RS4. The other tires in the category will get you 8-10 days depending on your alignment and street miles, if any.

I've looked into the DTC-70s and the DTC-60s. Thanks for the insight Dradernh.

I'm using Nankang's CR1 200TWs (255/35R18 square). I'm hoping only having to purchase another two sets by the end of the year. So far they're my favorite 200TW tire. Friends who have ran RS4s on their miatas have complained about the tire becoming greasy after only a few hotlaps.

I don't think its entirely unreasonable to be looking for dual duty pads. I run race pads on my racecar and street pads on the grocery getter. The BMW is definitely an 8/10ths car for my uses at the track or in the mountains.

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by yaboibooch

I've looked into the DTC-70s and the DTC-60s. Thanks for the insight Dradernh.

I'm using Nankang's CR1 200TWs (255/35R18 square). I'm hoping only having to purchase another two sets by the end of the year. So far they're my favorite 200TW tire. Friends who have ran RS4s on their miatas have complained about the tire becoming greasy after only a few hotlaps.

I don't think its entirely unreasonable to be looking for dual duty pads. I run race pads on my racecar and street pads on the grocery getter. The BMW is definitely an 8/10ths car for my uses at the track or in the mountains.

That has not my experience with the RS4s, nor that of my friends with Miatas and 86s. It's a very popular choice in enduro because of the low running cost and consistency, hence my suggestion. I have heard good things about the Nankangs, glad they're working out.

That use case definitely lends itself better to a dual purpose pad. I would not suggest any of EBCs hybrid offerings, Hawk HP+ we're effective but obnoxiously loud, D2500's are about as far as that compromise gets you I have found. Running cost is also substantially less if you leverage FCP Euro's LRG.

[yaboibooch]

Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB

That has not my experience with the RS4s, nor that of my friends with Miatas and 86s. It's a very popular choice in enduro because of the low running cost and consistency, hence my suggestion. I have heard good things about the Nankangs, glad they're working out.

That use case definitely lends itself better to a dual purpose pad. I would not suggest any of EBCs hybrid offerings, Hawk HP+ we're effective but obnoxiously loud, D2500's are about as far as that compromise gets you I have found. Running cost is also substantially less if you leverage FCP Euro's LRG.

Interesting you and your people had positive experiences with the RS4. The problem could be due to my friend's alignment or shaving.

Agreed on EBC, absolutely trash tier pads. None of my friends liked them for on track or autox.

[khcoaching]

I have the DS2500 at all 4 corners with SRF fluid and have had zero issues with stopping ability, fade or noise. Are they DS 1.11s.....no, but are they a solid pad that wears well, for me they sure are. (And yes, I have put sufficient time and force in them to know if they would be sh.t or not)

Ken

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by abcfgh

I installed the Ferodo DS2500 pads along with new Zimmermann blank 2 piece rotors in the M235i and I'm pretty disappointed in these pads. After all the reading I had done, it seemed like they would be a decent street pad with some light tracking ability. I'd even heard that some people were experiencing some noise during street driving and it sounded like they were geared for aggressive driving, which I was looking forward to. Man, did I think wrong. I immediately noticed a reduction in bite from the stock M Sport Pads and yes I bedded them in properly. This is a 5k mile review so I've had quite some time on the new pads. At first, I thought maybe they required some extra heat to work. Nope, the bite just gets softer. In fact, with aggressive driving and triple digit braking or repeated braking in the local mountains at moderate speeds from like 45->20 or 60->30 or 70->40 stuff like that, the pads faded horribly. The pedal gets so soft and the braking force less and less that at that point I just slow down because I don't want to boil brake fluid and have the pedal go to the floor. This is aggressive driving on the street. I'm not on the track and the car has quite worn Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+'s. Car is 100% stock so accompanied by a the understeer that stock non-M BMW's have. On the flip side, I have not experienced any squeaking or any noises. It's like the pads aren't aggressive at all. I noticed they don't have the vibration isolators (chunks of metal) like the stock pads, but have not noticed any issues with vibrations, squeals, or squeaks during normal driving even at 30 Fahrenheit degree temps. Well maybe the slightest squeak when they're very hot after you've been railing on them. Anywho, I am thoroughly unimpressed with these pads and view them as a downgrade from the stock M Sport Pads. Maybe there was a formulation change? Who knows? I read something about copper being phased out of brake pads due to the EPA. I would have preferred more noise and dust in return for better braking, but sadly this was not the case.

So for anyone considering these, stick with the stock pads. sorry for the ranty review, but I'm not a fan of these pads. The stock pads are better in pretty much every way!

Why don't you try the stock F80/82 M3/M4 brake pads? They'll feel better and take a bit more heat than the M Sport pads. If installed correctly, there are pretty quiet for daily driving as well. The only downside is the dust they produce.