Hi, back in June I mentioned I installed Akebono EURO-Ceramic brake pads on my 1997 850 T-5. I was pointed the brake tester. :) One user wanted me to do a wet rotor performance. I would have posted sooner, but we had little to no rain all summer which is a bit unusual here.

After about 3 weeks of using the pads, I decided to do the bedding in process. I don't think I followed the instructions perfectly, but close enough. It seemed to help. Question...if I didn't do the bedding in process, would the pads break themselves in after some time?

Anyway, what I like about the Akebono EURO-Ceramic brake pads is that once you break them in, they have really good stopping power. Nice and smooth. Also, after cleaning my wheels, I've noticed very little brake dust.

Here's something else I've noticed, although I'm not sure if I'm dreaming this up or not. But it seems that with the Volvo pads, under sudden braking or hard braking conditions, the anti-lock system might typically kick in more, but with these ceramic pads they seem to grip so well and smooth that I hardly feel the anti-lock system kicking in as much. Does that make sense? Is that a good thing? I also have newer all weather Michelin tires, so maybe between the new pads and newer tires they prevent the wheels from locking up as much?

Wet performance. Doesn't seem to matter if it's raining or if you just came out of a car wash, they seem to stop good. With Volvo pads, coming out of a car wash, the first time you try to stop the brakes moan and you have to use more pressure to stop until they are dry. That doesn't seem to happen with these pads, they just stop! I think once I had to use a little more pressure, but for the most part, they do great in wet conditions. I haven't gone through many large deep puddles. I probably should to get the rotors really wet and test the pads. I will try and do that, and report back.

What I don't like about the pads...You have to brake them in. You have to use extra pressure to get the car to stop. Really noticable. Made me a little nervous at first. So, be careful when doing sudden quick stops. I wouldn't recommend putting them on your kids or grandma's car until the pads are broken in. Also, when it was warm out, one of the pads made a very loud screach sound like someone scraping a fork on a ceramic plate. Happened frequently. Now that it's cooler weather, I don't really notice it much.

Michael