dbs600

Unbelievable, but my 2014 IS350 AWD F Sport brake pads need replacement at a mere 10k miles.

What are my options for replacement?

Can someone please help me understand the differences between the OEM F Sport pads vs. the Non-F Sport ones; material / composition, performance / specs, longevity, dust production, price, etc.

Also, is it possible to put Non-F Sport pads on an F Sport model without changing the rotors?

Thank you!

JDR76

I can't answer all of your questions, but I do have the non F Sport pads on my car (as it's a non F Sport model).

For stopping power, I didn't notice any difference (when test driving) between the F Sport and the non F Sport. In the magazine reviews that I've read, they haven't noted any difference is stopping distance.

As for dust, I would say these are the least dusty pads I've ever had. Even my RX wheels get dirtier. They are fantastic.

Where I suspect the real advantage of the F Sport pads lies is on the track, where I *assume* they are better at resisting fade under extreme heat.

Edit: I should add, I have 8500 miles on my IS. I'll have the wear measured at my next service appointment in a couple weeks, but I believe they are nowhere near replacement time. They were barely showing wear at my 5k service.

EJ255t

Stoptech has pads for the 350 F sport. I have them on my car that I replaced at 15k miles, very little dust!!!

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

F Sport pads have different feel than non F Sport OEM pads but with greatly reduced dust. I put my F Sport pads on if I go to the track

AdvanSLF

did you replace pads only or rotors too? if pads only, did you have to resurface the rotors at all? if not, do you notice any thing new like squeaking, performance degradation ect.?

EJ255t

i replaced both pads and rotors.

OEM rotors were done, and getting Stoptech rotors/pads were cheaper then what lexus quoted me.

I love the new setup, no noise, no brake dust like OEM pads, and a lot better bite.

I have Stoptech street pads and slotted/drilled front rotors

redspencer

iTrader: (1)

Holy cow...your rotors were below minimum thickness at 15k?!!

gmanusmc

Sounds like a smart move - how much and where did you get them?

Thanks, Bill G

dbs600

So Non-F Sport pads would work with F Sport rotors?

And do the rotors needs to be machined each time there's a swap?

dbs600

Also, why are F Sport pads cheaper than Non-F Sport pads, from Sewell, at least?

EJ255t

that's what ii said when I took my car in for service. im the 2nd owner of the car, so im guessing the guy before me didn't really maintain the car or the OEM rotor/pads are crap!

EJ255t

i got the rotors for $300 and the pads were about 60, i installed them myself which saved me like 200-300.

I got them from THmotorsports.

gmanusmc

Thanks - we just got our IS but I want to know what to expect when the time comes.

EJ255t

no problem. just prepare to clean your wheels a lot from all the brake dust!!

IS1911

I agree with all of the above. I was concerned at first because during the first 100 or so miles the dust was crazy but I realized the pads were seating. I'm now coming up on 900 miles and at this point I am experiencing very little brake dust. In addition I have two coats of Griot's Garage Paint Sealant on my wheels and this makes them very easy to clean. My car has the 18-inch 5-spoke wheels which are much easier to clean than other styles. I can even get behind the spokes to clean them.

As for you guys who are complaining about the dust and lack of longevity welcome to the world of performance cars and I hate to say this but the Lexus IS isn't even really a high performance machine compared to other offerings. When I had my Porsche for instance the rotors were cross drilled and could not be machined. They had to be replaced every time the pads were replaced. Don't ask the price, you don't want to know what Porsche parts and labor costs. It's one reason I got rid of that car. The more performance components you put on a car the more "fragile" the car becomes and the more maintenance it requires.