Akebono Pads - Proact vs. Performance
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
Alright guys, I installed the Akebono ASP 1118’s today. I must say I feel NO difference going from the stock high dust pads to these. I only drove like 10 miles on them, but I don’t feel a difference. MAYBE just maybe a little difference in bite which I thought was going to be much worse in the bite dept, but honestly not much of a difference there either. I haven’t tested them with braking hard yet so I will update again after I go on a rampage 
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
There's also a reason BMWs have been praised for decades for its world class brakes but notorious for having "BMW brake dust." Ask any performance BMW owner (or Porsche for that matter) and they'll tell you about their wheels turning black. If there was a secret sauce for having your cake and eating it too (high performance and no dust) some billion dollar automaker would've found it by now.
You may perceive your car as not having any brake degradation cause you can physically stop it "fast." with your akebono low dust pads. you'll even be able to engage ABS during a panic stop (as any Camry can) but there is a difference, particularly under high stress repeated stops, particularly with high performance tires.
Not to say the F Sport pads are the end all be all. It's still a street pad. You just have to decide where on the spectrum you want to be and that nothing comes for free
You may perceive your car as not having any brake degradation cause you can physically stop it "fast." with your akebono low dust pads. you'll even be able to engage ABS during a panic stop (as any Camry can) but there is a difference, particularly under high stress repeated stops, particularly with high performance tires.
Not to say the F Sport pads are the end all be all. It's still a street pad. You just have to decide where on the spectrum you want to be and that nothing comes for free
Edit: Saw you use performance brakes. Do you use the f sport ones?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 2,585
Yes-I am using the professional original equipment (OE) Genuine Lexus F Sport high friction brake pads. They are sourced from Germany, by the same company that has been BMW's supplier for high performance pads for decades. So you know they have a strong reputation behind them. Good stuff for the street. Just dirty!
Rookie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: TX
Yes-I am using the professional original equipment (OE) Genuine Lexus F Sport high friction brake pads. They are sourced from Germany, by the same company that has been BMW's supplier for high performance pads for decades. So you know they have a strong reputation behind them. Good stuff for the street. Just dirty!
Front Pad Sets
IS200t/IS300/IS350 with F Sport: 0446530500
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
They are perfect for daily driving. All you will lose is a minor amount of initial bite. I only changed the front pads to the ASP’s. I didn’t get the ACT’s for the rear since I don’t have a problem with brake dust in the rears. So happy not having my wheels turning black within 2 days after cleaning them.
Thanks Flash,
My biggest concern besides dust is the longevity of the pad itself. I only got 15k out of my front pads from the factory so would ideally like a little more life. Any thoughts on longevity with the ASPs or its far too early to tell? Also, whyd you go with ASP over ACT?
My biggest concern besides dust is the longevity of the pad itself. I only got 15k out of my front pads from the factory so would ideally like a little more life. Any thoughts on longevity with the ASPs or its far too early to tell? Also, whyd you go with ASP over ACT?
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
Thanks Flash,
My biggest concern besides dust is the longevity of the pad itself. I only got 15k out of my front pads from the factory so would ideally like a little more life. Any thoughts on longevity with the ASPs or its far too early to tell? Also, whyd you go with ASP over ACT?
My biggest concern besides dust is the longevity of the pad itself. I only got 15k out of my front pads from the factory so would ideally like a little more life. Any thoughts on longevity with the ASPs or its far too early to tell? Also, whyd you go with ASP over ACT?
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 306
Likes: 40
From: Ca
Idk if my brakes are defective or something but I don’t get the initial “bite” that everyone else talks about with our f sport brakes. I even replaced them with brand new OEM pads and the brake feel was the same. Now when I drive the honda accord we have at home that cars brakes have a very noticeable initial bite which has me confused
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
Idk if my brakes are defective or something but I don’t get the initial “bite” that everyone else talks about with our f sport brakes. I even replaced them with brand new OEM pads and the brake feel was the same. Now when I drive the honda accord we have at home that cars brakes have a very noticeable initial bite which has me confused
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 568
Likes: 78
From: Toronto
Idk if my brakes are defective or something but I don’t get the initial “bite” that everyone else talks about with our f sport brakes. I even replaced them with brand new OEM pads and the brake feel was the same. Now when I drive the honda accord we have at home that cars brakes have a very noticeable initial bite which has me confused
Initial bite in a good braking system should progress to linear braking so the transition isn't harsh but you come to a quick stop. When the feeling of initial bite is lost, or diminished, you hope for a continuous strong linear brake feel. The opposite would be losing the initial bite, and have brake fade almost immediately which gives you that squishy, foot to the floor, oh ***** why aren't I stopping fast enough, feeling.
Hopefully that made some sense lol. It does in my head anyways.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 384
Likes: 271
From: FL
Replaced my wife's IS250 F-Sport front brakes with R1 Concepts Carbon Alloy rotors and Akebono ACT1178 pads, so far the initial bite is the same as the OEM. Only driven about 30 miles on them so will see how much of an improvement to the Brake dust is after more miles.