Brakes Pads - Which brand/compound is used on the Vantage V8

[babyvantage]

I've spend a few hours on the forums trying to figure out which pads are stock on the Aston Martin Vantage (Mine is a MY2010)

I've seen PAGID mentioned a few times, but not been confirmed.
If someone knows which specific brand/compound of pad is used, would appreciate the info.


Sizing I've seen posted on some threads was:

---

1001 in front (same as Subaru STI if you need to search different sites/manufacturers)
592 in rear (same as a 92-02 Viper)"


I'm looking to replace my current brake pads due to wear, overall have been happy with the OEM:
- don't mind the brake dust issue
- Currently have no issues with squeaking
- Must admit the initial bite is very soft and requires more pedal pressure


I do approx 7,000km every year (with half a dozen track days thrown in)
Would only want one pair of brake pads, don't want to keep changing for track days.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

[KarlFranz]

FWIW I had read people stating they were Pagid as well, but I just replaced the stock pads from my 07 Vantage last week and they had the Brembo logo on the backing plate.

[MrOrange]

Pagid RS4-2 (http://www.pagid-brake-pads.co.uk/car-brake-pads/aston-martin-vantage.html)

Fit them yourself if you can as it's easy and saves you an hour of labour. There is a bedding-procedure and the pads are quite "fussy" about getting it right.

[babyvantage]

Thanks for the info.

Looking at installing either Pagid or Carbotech pads from everything I've read on the forums.


Other pads that came up & opinions posted by owners:

Mintex (not enough milage for an opinion)
EBC Red pads (read many controversial things about them)
Hawk HPS (low dust, but squealed worse than a pig) No sensor cut out??

[Murph7355]

What are you finding wrong with the OEM pads?

Never change stuff for change's sake. It's daft.

[babyvantage]

Murph7355 said:

What are you finding wrong with the OEM pads?

Never change stuff for change's sake. It's daft.

I don't like the pedal feel with the OEM pads and from reading the forums, many others agreed and therefore changed their pads to various other brands with varying results. Overall, most would not go back to the stock OEM brake pads.

[KarlFranz]

Murph7355 said:

What are you finding wrong with the OEM pads?

Never change stuff for change's sake. It's daft.

I went to the dealer a few weeks ago to get the new SportPak lightweight wheels put on. The dealer is 70 miles from home and by the time I returned to my garage, the new wheels were already covered in serious amounts of brake dust.

FWIW, my Esprit (which also came stock with Brembo pads) did the same. I switched to Porterfield R4-S pads and the brake dust hardly builds up after weeks of driving. I replaced the pads on my Vantage a couple of weeks ago with similar results. If you're interested the front pads were number AP1165-R4S and the rears AP1166-R4S. They cost me about $150-160USD per axle online.

[Murph7355]

babyvantage said:

I don't like the pedal feel with the OEM pads and from reading the forums, many others agreed and therefore changed their pads to various other brands with varying results. Overall, most would not go back to the stock OEM brake pads.

Do you have the statistical evidence to back that up? Based on something like what, 10,000+ cars made?

Did you used to like the way it felt? Or have you always disliked it?

First thing I'd make sure of is that the brakes are bled properly. I'd also consider a change in fluid.

Personally (and I think the majority of owners would likely agree ), the brakes on the car are superb. Easy to modulate. Great stopping power and a little bit "extra" when you really need to stamp on them. I really, really doubt you'll find a better pad for the car.

If you really don't like it, perhaps try a Pagid grade either side of stock. OR talk to the boys running the race cars (about fluids and pads). But you will almost certainly have to put up with other downsides (noise. Stopping power when cold. Etc).

[babyvantage]

KarlFranz said:

I went to the dealer a few weeks ago to get the new SportPak lightweight wheels put on. The dealer is 70 miles from home and by the time I returned to my garage, the new wheels were already covered in serious amounts of brake dust.

FWIW, my Esprit (which also came stock with Brembo pads) did the same. I switched to Porterfield R4-S pads and the brake dust hardly builds up after weeks of driving. I replaced the pads on my Vantage a couple of weeks ago with similar results. If you're interested the front pads were number AP1165-R4S and the rears AP1166-R4S. They cost me about $150-160USD per axle online.

Thanks - I saw your post with detailed pics!
Are you going to track the car with these pads?

[bogie]

do these aftermarket pads have brake wear sensors or do you have to blank them off to stop the errors on the dash?

[KarlFranz]

babyvantage said:

Thanks - I saw your post with detailed pics!
Are you going to track the car with these pads?

Hello again. I see we all visit the different forums.

No I do not track my cars. Also, the "S" in R4-S designates their "street" compound. You probably don't want to use it on the track, just like you probably wouldn't want to use the race compound on the street because you probably won't be able to stop unless the brakes are warm. Also, race pads, by their very nature, are usually much more dusty and noisy which are the 2 main things I was trying to remedy.

[KarlFranz]

bogie said:

do these aftermarket pads have brake wear sensors or do you have to blank them off to stop the errors on the dash?

Just to clarify, neither the OEM pads, nor the aftermarket pads come with sensors. The sensor is unique to the particular application (i.e. car model). What the pads can have is the proper groove cutout so that the car's sensors may be installed. Not all pads have the cutout. The Porterfields one do, so you can use the existing sensors assuming they were not damaged. If you waited until the car alerted you that the pads were low, you will probably have to buy new sensors. If the sensors are intact, you can install them on the new pads and you won't get any warning messages.

Here is what the sensor looks like on the Vantage:



And here is a picture of the Porterfield pad (top) and the stock Brembo pad (bottom). Note that the sensor groove is in a different location, but it still works.

[mikey k]

Any details on the shim set up on the Porterfields?
The Pagid/brembo set up of adhesive film and metal bracing shims is rubbish as it cuts in to the adhesive and prevents movement with temp changes.