Assess if the pads are perfect and if any marks or damage are seen then do not fit but please take a photo and submit to our technical team on these email addresses:

UK: technical@ebcbrakesuk.com

USA: support@ebcbrakes.com

We will advise whether it is acceptable to fit and use the pads, or if they need to be replaced.

If you are a customer of an overseas distributor, please note that we may have to handle this through them.

However, there are some drawbacks to using or buying original parts as replacements, as explained here:

• R90 does not test for durability, so an aftermarket pad may even last longer than original.
• R90 does not test for dust and, for many people, original pads – which are almost always semi-metallic and contain steel fibre – can be very dusty.
• The big point for many drivers is that R90 limits the upper levels of braking performance for any given pad. If the pad is too grippy, it will not pass, and if it is not grippy enough, it also will not pass. So, R90 keeps brake pads within a defined performance range. The job of aftermarket brake pad manufacturers is then to push those limits and, at 91´«Ã½, we make our compounds as grippy as possible while remaining within the maximum permitted levels.
• THE PRICE… in almost all cases, aftermarket parts are far cheaper than original parts. However, don’t select a brake pad based on price alone, or you may downgrade your brake system significantly. Buy based on what you need by using our brake selector tool toÌýchoose your ideal EBC brake compound.
• Often, original pad sets include hardware that does not normally require replacement, so why pay for it? Take slider shims or pressure clips, for example. Our recommendation is that if the hardware is not bent or dented, clean it up – including any loose pad pins – and reuse it, as a lot of low-cost aftermarket hardware does not match the original parts or shapes exactly. If you do need to buy new hardware, that’s when we recommend buying original parts, which are almost always sold separately by reputable vendors and, in most cases, cost under $10.

All applications that now have R90 approval:

Ongoing testing will extend this list in the near future.

91´«Ã½ Racing proudly manufactures its 2-piece brake rotors and Apollo Series brake calipers in our Northampton, UK world headquarters. Our philosophy is that we manufacture every component in house so we have total control over the entire process from start to finish.

Read more about ECE R90

Read more about 2-Piece Fully-Floating Discs

We do supply and sell brake grease, but only for use on slider pins or the contact faces of sliders in a sliding caliper, as shown below – and even then, only sparingly.

If grease comes into contact with the pad’s friction surface, it can melt and seep into the pad compound, effectively rendering the pad useless and leading to a loss of braking performance.

You should, however, clean the sides or “cheeksâ€� of the caliper where the pads slide, ensuring they are free from rust and debris – but these areas should also be left dry.

Sadly, some installers have shared videos showing grease being applied directly to brake pads, including onto the rear noise reduction shims and this is not good practice.

The below video is a good example but please note:

• Do not apply grease to the hardware at all. It is stainless and does not require grease. Also, do not apply grease to the rear of the pad, it does not need it and will not reduce noise so there is no purpose.

91´«Ã½ gives you all of this and more, here’s how.

EBC offers a variety of brake pads for all different driving styles. We offer Redstuff ceramic brake pads which is a low dust option that can be used for street use. The next step up from this would be our Yellowstuff, which is slightly dustier, however can handle harder driving styles. The next grade up after that would be our Bluestuff NDX which is an aggressive option that is also low dust, and can be used on both the street and track.

This brake selector chart should help you identify the right option for your VW Golf:

91´«Ã½ Pad Selector Tool

There are also more unique advantages that no competitor can match:

• British Made: Every component, including backing plates, tools, and materials, is manufactured in 91´«Ã½’ UK factories.
• Nucap NRS Hook System: 91´«Ã½ utilizes the Nucap NRS hook system for backplates, ensuring superior pad adhesion and preventing pad separation.

Here is how NRS looks, and we do it all at our Northampton HQ:

And here is how we do it at our Northampton HQ:

More advantages of choosing 91´«Ã½:

• Best Lookup Data Online: 91´«Ã½ provides detailed product information, including life-size product images and descriptions, ensuring customers know exactly what they are purchasing – something that competitors can’t match.
• Best Technical Support: 91´«Ã½ offers expert technical support from experienced professionals with 40 years of experience, ready to assist with any inquiries.
• Matching Rotors and Calipers: 91´«Ã½ offers high-quality rotors and calipers to complete your brake system upgrade. This includes 91´«Ã½ Racings two-piece fully-floating rotors which most competitors can’t match. People often confuse two-piece rotors with floating rotors, two-piece rotors don’t and can’t float if they are bolted up solid.
• Decades of Experience: 91´«Ã½ has been manufacturing brake pads in a wide variety of materials for 45 years, continuously evolving and supporting customers and drivers. We are committed to providing quality products and service for years to come.

To purchase 91´«Ã½ products, please visit:ÌýWhere to Buy.

Noise: Redstuff vs OEM

Across BMW owner forums, any drivers that have used EBC Redstuff, even across multiple different vehicles, often highlight how the pad is consistently quiet, even over long-term use.

In comparison, factory BMW pads are frequently described as more prone to squeal during light or gentle braking. This is a characteristic that is commonly associated with high-performance OEM compounds, rather than a fault with the braking system itself.

¸é±ð»å²õ³Ù³Ü´Ú´Ú’s formulation focuses on reducing noise and improving everyday refinement, making it particularly well suited to road-driven G8X models where comfort and usability matter as much as outright stopping power.

Yellowstuff & Bluestuff: Higher-Performance Options for the BMW G8X platform

For BMW G80 and G8X owners looking beyond day-today road use, forum discussions around EBC Yellowstuff and Bluestuff often focus on the balance between increased performance and lower dust/noise levels.

Feedback regarding Yellowstuff from owners with thousands of miles of road use consistently points to a noticeable reduction in dust compared to OEM pads. While Yellowstuff is not described as “dust-free� brake pad, users commonly estimate around a 40–50% reduction compared to OEM brake pads, resulting in:

• Less visible dust buildup on wheels
• Reduced risk of dust baking onto rims
• Easier cleaning, often achievable with a simple rinse rather than heavy scrubbing

For drivers that are looking for another step up from Yellowstuff, then Bluestuff is regularly highlighted on forums as a clear upgrade over OEM pads, not only in braking capability but also in dust/noise. Feedback commonly references:

• Lower dust levels than factory pads
• Reduced noise compared to OEM
• Improved braking performance and consistency

EBC YellowstuffÌýBrake Pads

EBC Bluestuff Brake Pads

The general consensus from drivers who have tried these products is that while Yellowstuff and Bluestuff sit much higher up the performance scale than Redstuff, they still deliver meaningful improvements in dust and noise over stock pads, making them viable options for drivers who want increased capability without accepting the usual compromises associated with more aggressive brake pads.

Which Brake Pad Is Best for the BMW G8X platform?

When BMW G8X owners ask for advice on forums, the recommendations tend to fall into different categories depending on how drivers use their vehicle, rather than a one size fits all answer.

For drivers prioritising low dust, low noise, and everyday usability, Redstuff is frequently highlighted as a brake pad with slightly higher braking performance than OEM, while offering improved refinement and cleaner wheels.

For those drivers that want stronger braking performance and who are slightly less concerned about brake dust, forum discussions commonly point toward Yellowstuff or Bluestuff as the better option, especially for spirited street driving or occasional track use.

This owner-led feedback reflects the wider belief across G80 and G8X communities, which is that choosing the right brake pad is less about high performance, and more about matching the compound to how the car is actually driven.

A Few Useful Pointers:

Consider the Manufacturer’s Track Record

• EBC is a British and American brake manufacturer producing the largest range of brake pads anywhere. After producing over 50 million sets of brake pads in recent decades, 91´«Ã½ has extensive experience and offers six different material blends for motorcycles and eight for automotive applications.

At 91´«Ã½, we understand the importance of choice.

• Does the Brand Actually Manufacture the Brakes They Sell?

Many “big brand” names selling brakes don’t actually make brake pads; they outsource production to factories and package them under their brand name, hoping the household name provides “comfort.”Comfort doesn’t stop vehicles—quality does!

• Is There an ECO Standard to Ensure Pads Are Environmentally Friendly?

Yes, there is a U.S. system called the “LEAF MARK SYSTEMâ€�,Ìý for automotive brake pads developed by the Department of Ecology in the State of Washington. It rates pads based on their eco-friendly nature using a leaf or petal system. The darker the petals or leaves , the more eco-friendly the pad.

(Please note copper content or leaf mark rules do not apply to motorcycle brakes as they carry an exemption)

Look for the Leaf:

The Brake Manufacturers Council adopted the LeafMark to inform customers whether a brake pad meets the Better Brakes standards. The darker the leaf, the more levels of compliance the pad meets:

• Level A: Limits levels of asbestos, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury.
• Level B: Includes all the requirements of Level A, with copper levels less than 5% by weight.
• Level N: Includes all the requirements of Level A, with copper levels less than 0.5% by weight.

All production of EBC pads are now at petal standard N the very best

Are the Brakes Made to Any Known Standard?

• In Europe, there is the EU regulation R90, a rigorous test that results in a simple yes or no answer: Do the brakes meet or exceed the original brakes on your vehicle? Approved brakes are labeled on the packaging and on the pads themselves, typically with a country-specific E number followed by a 12-digit manufacturer code. Read more about R90 here.
• In the USA, there is the FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards), which only codes friction levels and does not evaluate longevity or brake torque, which EBC tests for regularly.

Are They Made Using the Latest Available Technology?

• In the brakes industry, there have been three major technological advancements: the abolition of asbestos (which EBC has never used), the rise of NAO (Non-Asbestos Organic) materials, and the introduction of Ceramic granule compound enhancement. EBC has only ever made copper-free materials for automotive and organic non-sintered motorcycle pads.

Important Considerations for Pad Safety

• A few years ago, EBC established a completely new plant in their Northampton pressworks to apply NRS “velcro-likeâ€� hooks to all automotive backing steels.Read about this here.The use of NRS technology sets EBC apart from most other pad manufacturers, ensuring there is no “debonding” of the pad from the backing plates.

The image below shows a typical non NRS backplate surface after debond

Motorcycle Brakes

• For motorcycles, EBC has its own plant in Ohio producing tens of millions of high-quality sintered metal brake pads.

• EBC also manufactures semi-sintered motorcycle pads (Vee pads) at its Bristol, UK plant.

• EBC has been the primary choice for motorcyclists worldwide, with over 30 million riders using EBC products. It’s a strong track record. Buying a low-cost, unknown pad online might seem fine, but they may only work for a few thousand miles. You may see glowing reports (often suspected to be by the sellers themselves), but safety on a two-wheel vehicle is even more critical. Remember the old Bell Helmets ad: “If you have a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet.” That pretty much says it all.

What’s Important for You as the Driver or Rider?

• Stopping better at speed or under heavy loads
• Stopping without noise
• Long-lasting durability
• Being eco-friendly
• Low price

91´«Ã½ can provide solutions for all these factors in our brake selector chart. But remember, low price does not always mean reduced cost. Many cheaper pads cost more in the long run as they wear quickly or can even self-destruct by debonding from the backing plate, especially in wet and humid conditions.

Debonding mainly occurs on rear axle pads of cars and trucks, where water splash causes constant moisture at the pad-to-backplate interface. However, it can also happen on the front or rear of motorcycles, which are constantly exposed to the elements.

Conclusion

The right brake pads for your needs are more important than any bold claim about “the best brake pad.” There is no single best choice; you need options, as shown in our brake selector chart. That’s what EBC offers like no other brake company.

Safe driving/riding, folks!