Endless brake pads: which compound to choose for the track?

This article is not sponsored, so that we can give transparent, genuine advice.

On circuit, the wrong pad compound can't be made up for. Too soft, and it glazes and loses its bite as soon as the temperature rises; too hard, and it doesn't respond while the brakes are cold.

The Endless range covers the whole spectrum, from pure daily driving to hill climbs — but between an SSM-Plus and an N39S, the choice isn't about "level", it's about your actual use. If you're first hesitating between several brands, start with our guide to choosing track brake pads; this one focuses on the Endless range, with temperature ranges and friction coefficients to back it up.

Reading an Endless compound: friction (µ) and temperature range

Two figures sum up how a pad behaves. The friction coefficient (µ) tells you how much bite the pad delivers: the higher it is, the harder the pedal "grabs" for the same effort. The temperature range tells you when that bite is available: a race pad like the ME20 (150–800 °C) needs heat to work well, whereas an N39S bites from 0 °C, with no warm-up.

The practical rule: a pad is never "better" in absolute terms, it's better within its window. A track compound fitted to a car whose discs never exceed 300 °C will be disappointing — not hot enough to bite. Conversely, a street compound pushed beyond its range degrades all at once. The whole point is to match the compound's window to the heat your car actually generates.

Which Endless compound for which use?

Pure daily driving, comfort first → SSM-Plus. Zero hassle: virtually no dust or noise, maximum lifespan, effective when cold (0–550 °C). It's not a circuit compound, and it doesn't pretend to be.

Daily + mountain roads, committed driving → MX87. The bite comes from the very first cold stop (30–700 °C), which makes it ideal for twisty roads and slow-to-medium circuits.

Daily + 2-3 trackdays a year → MX72. The Swiss army knife: a single set to drive on circuit on Saturday and to the office on Monday (50–700 °C), without changing pads.

Regular trackdays, heavy or powerful car → ME20. Mass and power create heat; the ME20 stays stable beyond 650 °C (range 150–800 °C), with controlled wear and late braking you can trust. It's also our go-to for the Nordschleife: 8 minutes with no respite for the brakes, where you need an enduring, consistent race pad.

Hill climb, tarmac rally, sprint → N39S. The brakes start lukewarm at the bottom of the climb: high friction from 0 °C (up to 850 °C), no warm-up, maximum bite and instant response. The obvious choice when every stop counts from the very first one.

Circuit racing / endurance → the choice is made case by case (N35S, MA45B, SP series…) depending on the chassis, the axle and the target temperature. Contact us for personalised advice.

ME20 vs Pagid RSL29: head to head

The RSL29 (the famous endurance "yellow") owes its reputation to its consistency: a medium friction level that's very flat across the whole range. But from experience, the ME20 does better on every count that matters: noticeably stronger bite, real cold performance, better lap-after-lap endurance, and longer disc + pad life. Where the RSL29's curve dips before 700 °C, the ME20 stays stable beyond 650 °C — the gap widens precisely when the brakes are suffering most.

On a heavy, powerful car, this is even more pronounced: the energy to dissipate grows with mass and with the square of speed. A 1,800 kg car at 250 km/h subjects the disc to temperatures that a street compound can't handle. The heavier and faster the car, the higher you need to aim in the temperature range — and that's where the ME20 takes the lead.

The 3 golden rules, whatever the compound

1. Bedding-in is everything. A badly bedded compound glazes the discs and loses its qualities for good. Follow the Endless bed-in procedure, without rushing it.
2. The pad isn't the whole system. Fluid (boiling point), discs and cooling must match the compound's level. Fitting a race pad with stock fluid just moves the point of failure.
3. Front ≠ rear. The right balance often means two different compounds depending on the axle. It's a setting, not a detail.

FAQ

ME20 or RSL29 for intensive trackday use?

On the criteria that matter on track — bite, cold performance, endurance, longevity — the ME20 has the edge, and the gap widens when the brakes heat up beyond 650 °C.

Which Endless compound for the Nordschleife?

The ME20: it's designed to hold a high pace over long sectors without losing bite, with controlled wear.

Can you drive every day on an Endless track compound?

The MX72 is made for that (road + occasional trackdays with a single set). Beyond that, an ME20 or N39S is still usable on the road, but with dust, noise and cold bite you'll need to get used to.

Does the N39S need warming up?

No: its friction is already high from 0 °C, which is precisely what makes it relevant for hill climbs and rallies.

Need advice on your setup?

Chassis, axle, target temperature, type of driving: the right compound depends on your car and how you use it. See our selection of track pads or contact us for tailored advice.