[DougVWdriver]

Greetings,

I am the second owner of a 2014 TDI R-line with about 160k miles. The brakes seemingly do or soon will need replacement. My mind turns to non-metallic brake pads possibly for better performance (ceramic - good heat dissipation), and to reduce the emission of brake particles into the general environment.

Has anyone done this? Partsgeek.com claims to have ceramic-material pads for Touaregs. I am interested if there are any cautions or comments.

Thank you all, and drive safe. This has been an awesome vehicle with few problems as a daily driver, sometimes a little heavy handed or towing a heavy utility trailer through the mountains.

 

[DougVWdriver]

I should add, the brake distributor I am looking at is Dynamic Friction. Anyone had experience with their premium brake package (including ceramic material pads)?

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Use search function. The topic has been beaten to death. We also have a user who supplies kits if you want his input @QPower1

 

[PRY4SNO]

At a glance there are some simple upgrades you can do without getting drastic.

• Upgraded fluid over OEM, something like Motul, ATE Super Blue, etc.
• Quality rotors, EG. Brembo, Zimmerman, OEM, etc.
• Stainless lines
• More aggressive pads, EG. Hawk HPS, Pagid Blue, etc.
• Tires

Question is, what are you trying to achieve with "better" brakes? The brakes on these are phenomenal. What's your budget? Are you looking to improve pedal feel, stopping distance, aesthetics?

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Urus setup or GTFO

 

[adidas]

Its the other way around, Semi-metallic are better than ceramics and also better heat dissipation.

 

[Dannyboy485]

Its the other way around, Semi-metallic are better than ceramics and also better heat dissipation.

Are you on crack? Why do you think ceramics are more expensive? Ceramics take more heat than normal semi metallic hence why they're fitted to high performance vehicles and sports cars. And they last much longer. And they dust much much less. And less noise.

The downside with ceramics is they don't have the same initial cold bite as semi metal pads and require a bit of heat to really bite. And cost more.

 

[DougVWdriver]

All, my impression is ceramics are less polluting by the friction that wears down the material. I don't find the cost of the ones I have looked at a problem. Hence my question. I agree they are common on high performance vehicles.

 

[DougVWdriver]

At a glance there are some simple upgrades you can do without getting drastic.

• Upgraded fluid over OEM, something like Motul, ATE Super Blue, etc.
• Quality rotors, EG. Brembo, Zimmerman, OEM, etc.
• Stainless lines
• More aggressive pads, EG. Hawk HPS, Pagid Blue, etc.
• Tires

Question is, what are you trying to achieve with "better" brakes? The brakes on these are phenomenal. What's your budget? Are you looking to improve pedal feel, stopping distance, aesthetics?

Thank you for your reply. I have great Pirelli tires and a have moved to Motul and super blue. My issue is that metallic pads are 20% of the vehicles emissions, and is getting regulated in neighboring CA, and possibly coming to my state.

 

[DougVWdriver]

Use search function. The topic has been beaten to death. We also have a user who supplies kits if you want his input @QPower1

I did the search function and found zero discussion of ceramic brake pads.

 

[PRY4SNO]

Polluting, lol. How deep of a dive is this analysis? Have you looked into methods of procurement, production, etc?

Talk about spitting in the ocean.

The main thing you're going to notice is less brake dust on your wheels, and less initial bite until they get up to temp.

A Touareg isn't a sports car; are you tracking your vehicle? Or driving like you stole it on the motorways?

If you want better braking you're farther ahead getting s/s lines, quality fluid, and more sticky tires. Everything else is relatively minor.

 

[PRY4SNO]

Thank you for your reply. I have great Pirelli tires and a have moved to Motul and super blue. My issue is that metallic pads are 20% of the vehicles emissions, and is getting regulated in neighboring CA, and possibly coming to my state.

Sorry, you lost me at "great Pirelli tires."

That regulation is... wild. 20% under what conditions; with what vehicle, at what time of year? Etc.

One would think you're getting grandfathered, if you have the parts prior to legislation, no?

What is this really about, anyways? Are you trying to improve performance, or cut emissions = taxes = operating costs?

You can have three things with vehicles:

• cheap
• reliable
• fast

Pick two.

 

[DougVWdriver]

None of the above or I wouldn't likely have 160k hilly miles on it and the first brake change coming up. I will look into stainless steel lines; I have great tires.

 

[DougVWdriver]

I think there has been enough straying from my post and borderline expressions, so signing off. Thanks for all the opinions.

 

[Dannyboy485]

Tires are 20% of emissions, not brake pads. Rolling resistance increase emissions through friction/ fuel usage and rubber particles enter waterways.

Brake pads are a use on demand item, tires are not. Tires are used as long as the vehicle is moving. If your on a highway why would you be using your brakes for? It's all about driver education and nothing else.

I personally have a problem with brakes on my vehicle lasting too long. Why? Because they end up corroding long before they ever wear out. Learn to use engine braking if your that worried about the environment , it saves wear and tear on the brakes and uses no fuel to boot

 

[DougVWdriver]

I travel in a lot of hilly highway situations, daily. I have been schooled on ceramics not being appropriate for this heavy a vehicle - that's fine. I have corrosion issues too, living rather near the Pacific has those effects. Don't know what to do about it in terms of brake parts.

Some university students (I think I recall) invented a device that collects the rubber particles coming off the tires (they are charged, so relatively easy to catch). Maybe that will come to market, maybe not.

Thank you for your input.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Wait a second. You drive an ICE.. and you're worried about polluting with your brake pad material and tire wear?

 

[DougVWdriver]

Not for long. If Rivian gets around to delivering on my reservation.

 

[PRY4SNO]

Still trying to grasp which model of Pirelli tires you have. Every kind I've driven have left me wanting, in more than one capacity.

Genuinely curious.

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Not for long. If Rivian gets around to delivering on my reservation.

Does it come with Flinstones type wheels, or you going to apply these same principles to that ride?