[ILikePoutine]

After a few thousands KM absolutely hated those stupid undersized brakes. I know for CX30 there are kits to upgrade it, so far can’t find anything for CX50. Anyone know if CX30 kit will fit since they are the same platform? Or any way there is a way to make some 4 pots or 6 pots fit. Thanks.

 

[good_infotainment]

After a few thousands KM absolutely hated those stupid undersized brakes. I know for CX30 there are kits to upgrade it, so far can’t find anything for CX50. Anyone know if CX30 kit will fit since they are the same platform? Or any way there is a way to make some 4 pots or 6 pots fit. Thanks.

Oh dear. What's so bad about them?

 

[kingsgambit]

Give Ceika a try. I emailed them not too long ago about the brake upgrade for my CX-50. They responded by sending a diagram to fill out the dimensions so they can develop one. Unfortunately, I did not have the time to do so.

 

[Caestus75]

Oh dear. What's so bad about them?

They really are garbage..... lol.... small calipers meaning small pistons. I get better results when I pump the brakes (Hello early 1990s)

I am coming from a car that had 4 piston Brembos and own another car (Nissan Kicks) that shits on the braking of the CX-50. Thankfully I know how to adjust so I can cope with it but these brakes are dog shit lol

 

[ChrisP]

I agree with your assessment of the brakes. Although there’s a lot to consider when designing a braking system, none of this is new technology and isn’t rocket science. The size (12.8” F&R) isn’t totally off base for a car this size and this target market (non-sports car) so I’m thinking it’s the pads. There’s also the issue that a lot of people have complained about regarding pad sticking, mainly in the rear, resulting in a “clunk” when you roll the car for the first time after several hours of no driving. I’ve owned thirteen cars of various performance levels and this is the only one that has had the sticking issue. For me this happens in the wet or dry. It’s very subtle but it still happens even after it hasn’t rained for several days. so something weird is going on with the pads.
To me the brakes feel like they have decent bite but then the stopping force isn’t anywhere near linear with pedal effort. If I’m trying to stop quick I feel like the pedal effort ramps up a ton just to get a minor increase in stopping power. It could be a few different issues: rubber lines, flexing calipers, pad compound, air in the system, etc. Pads are easy to upgrade so that’s where I’m going to start once something comes out from a reliable source with characteristics I’m looking for. Plus, as much as I’d love to upgrade them I can’t justify dropping $2k to upgrade the brakes.

 

[Litfuse]

I agree with your assessment of the brakes. Although there’s a lot to consider when designing a braking system, none of this is new technology and isn’t rocket science. The size (12.8” F&R) isn’t totally off base for a car this size and this target market (non-sports car) so I’m thinking it’s the pads. There’s also the issue that a lot of people have complained about regarding pad sticking, mainly in the rear, resulting in a “clunk” when you roll the car for the first time after several hours of no driving. I’ve owned thirteen cars of various performance levels and this is the only one that has had the sticking issue. For me this happens in the wet or dry. It’s very subtle but it still happens even after it hasn’t rained for several days. so something weird is going on with the pads.
To me the brakes feel like they have decent bite but then the stopping force isn’t anywhere near linear with pedal effort. If I’m trying to stop quick I feel like the pedal effort ramps up a ton just to get a minor increase in stopping power. It could be a few different issues: rubber lines, flexing calipers, pad compound, air in the system, etc. Pads are easy to upgrade so that’s where I’m going to start once something comes out from a reliable source with characteristics I’m looking for. Plus, as much as I’d love to upgrade them I can’t justify dropping $2k to upgrade the brakes.

I agree with everything you say. The brake feel does not match the performance. I would start with different pads.

 

[Caestus75]

I agree, changing out the pads is the best way to start.

 

[ChrisP]

I haven’t seen any aftermarket offerings. If you know of please any let me know.

 

[JustinM2]

I don't know how much of Mazda's vehicles share underpinnings, but when I had a 2020 Subaru Outback, due to Subaru's global platform, I was able to fit the Subaru Ascent's bigger brakes to my outback. Bolted right up.

Since CX-50 is based on the 30, is it possible that a 30 upgrade kit would fit the 50?

I am also interested in better brakes on this car because I drive it like my M2.

 

[Caestus75]

Big Brake Kit!


I might cop these!

13" Big Brake Kit for 2022+ Mazda CX-50 Turbo & Non-Turbo

The CorkSport 13” Big Brake Kit for Mazda CX-50 provides a drastic improvement to braking by offering improvements to each component in the system. Larger rotors, 4-piston calipers, stainless steel brake lines, upgraded pads, and everything you need.

corksport.com

 

[JustinM2]

Big Brake Kit!


I might cop these!

13" Big Brake Kit for 2022+ Mazda CX-50 Turbo & Non-Turbo

The CorkSport 13” Big Brake Kit for Mazda CX-50 provides a drastic improvement to braking by offering improvements to each component in the system. Larger rotors, 4-piston calipers, stainless steel brake lines, upgraded pads, and everything you need.

corksport.com

Nice! Definitely adding to the mod list.

 

[Caestus75]

Nice! Definitely adding to the mod list.

Same here! I am transitioning from a Honda Civic Type R to this so the braking is my only pet peeve with the CX-50 so far. This mod/upgrade might be ideal.

 

[ChrisP]

Don’t miss the subtle detail that it’s roughly the same size.

And its only fronts.

 

[Trickster]

So in regards to the clunk sound from the brakes, over in the CX 30 world there was an issue with the pad backing plate hardware not functioning correctly. Simply mod corrected it. Can be found with video on YouTube.

I wonder how many people actually follow a brake break in procedure?
Bedding in brakes can make a big difference on higher end components, on the OEM hardware from Mazda I am not sure.

I am very early onto the 50 ownership so I can’t say I notice an issue with the brakes as they seem very comparable to the 30. Perhaps even identical.

I wouldn’t personally invest in a big brake kit unless I was tracking it, my first upgrade would be the much less expensive route with a higher quality pad.

 

[Caestus75]

this

So in regards to the clunk sound from the brakes, over in the CX 30 world there was an issue with the pad backing plate hardware not functioning correctly. Simply mod corrected it. Can be found with video on YouTube.

I wonder how many people actually follow a brake break in procedure?
Bedding in brakes can make a big difference on higher end components, on the OEM hardware from Mazda I am not sure.

I am very early onto the 50 ownership so I can’t say I notice an issue with the brakes as they seem very comparable to the 30. Perhaps even identical.

I wouldn’t personally invest in a big brake kit unless I was tracking it, my first upgrade would be the much less expensive route with a higher quality pad.

This is a good call out on the need to bed your brakes. I would invest in a BBK because I won’t lie the number of times the Brembos came in handy on the type R. I live in Miami where it’s every other driver VS (not how I drive) but no one else cares about you and will cut you off at a whim

one day on the 95 express lanes someone drove over the yellow foldable barrier and had I not had the brakes I had I would have rear ended them without a shadow of a doubt. This is just one example where the Brembos saved me.

the current brakes are “fine” I should say but severely lacking. They are the same size as the Mazda 3 and CX50 for a bigger car so that’s the issue. This size crossover needs bigger brakes/surface contact to stop.

 

[Trickster]

“This size crossover needs bigger brakes/surface contact to stop” as good as a more sporting vehicle with Brembo brakes.
I agree that better brake setups are definitely safer in situations. Mazda does many things well for the price point, and many could be done better but it will come at a cost.
Over at the sister forum for CX 30s owners cross shop it to the BMW X1. The BMW starts $5K more than the most expensive CX30. But the value in Mazdas for some sacrifices is hard to overlook for the money differential.
They are not perfect and some inexpensive mods can be made to areas to improve them.

I came from a 2021 Volvo XC 40 and 2022 Volvo V60 Cross Country, they excelled in certain areas compared to the Mazdas, but for the $12k-20k difference it was hard to justify…..for me.

Try some Akebono Ceramic or Power stop Z23s brake pads and see if that helps you out for braking performance.

For the $100 or so it’s an easy upgrade.

 

[Pitts Pilot]

Wow… Brakes …. Really… These brakes are fine…. I have driven hundreds of different cars and these are way above average and I have zero issue with performance….You want a 4 piston caliper sprnd the 70+k for a Porsche… Having recently driven a friends new Macan I can say the the Turbo 50 is alot of bang for the $.

 

[Caestus75]

Wow… Brakes …. Really… These brakes are fine…. I have driven hundreds of different cars and these are way above average and I have zero issue with performance….You want a 4 piston caliper sprnd the 70+k for a Porsche… Having recently driven a friends new Macan I can say the the Turbo 50 is alot of bang for the $.

Pitts,

Thank you for your opinion. There are many vehicles out there that have 4 piston brakes that are not "brembos"

I would also say there are many vehicles out there with 2 pistons (my old jeep Cherokee had 2 piston calipers)

It just so happens there is a bolt on 4 piston big brake kit for 1600 bucks lol Thats SUPER CHEAP and probably cheaper than you spend having the dealer change out your bads.

I would be willing to bet all the change in my pocket the CX-50 has single piston front calipers (hence the reason why if I pump the brakes I get better braking) Sure if I hold the brakes it stops just fine but I can tell the brakes are being over worked which will lead to premature rotor wear and premature caliper failure due to heat.

As others have said upgraded pads will for sure help and increase bite, however, it does not solve the root cause.... the root cause is the front calipers have single pistons and that's tiny for a vehicle that weighs 3500+ lbs.... let alone if you want to tow something. That Big Brake kit I linked above solves many problems


And since you posted the way you did... these brakes are way below average so the cars you drove must have been from the 40s. The average stopping distance for modern cars 60-0 is 124 ft. The Mazda CS-50 stops 60-0 in 136 feet. (Below average) You do not need a Porsche to keep yourself safe while braking. I had a 40k Civic Type R with 4 piston brakes that crushed Porsches. The Mazda CX-50 is neither of these, however our above points are that this car needs something to better the brakes.


TL;DR

Yes try upgraded pads. They will help.
The root cause is we have single piston calipers
The big brake kit is bolt on and super cheap

 

[SoFlo Zoom]

one day on the 95 express lanes someone drove over the yellow foldable barrier and had I not had the brakes I had I would have rear ended them without a shadow of a doubt. This is just one example where the Brembos saved me.

Ah the lovely 95 express lanes.

Welcome my South Florida friend. I also am coming from Brembos that were slotted 4 piston fronts and for sure notice a huge difference. I don't know if I have somewhat acclimated, but after ~1000 miles, I feel a bit better and don't have quite the squish after the initial bite anymore.

Maybe it is that the brakes are bedded a bit more, or the coatings have worn off, but I don't feel the "free fall" that I used to for the first month.

 

[ZeekZirconPPT]

Pitts,

Thank you for your opinion. There are many vehicles out there that have 4 piston brakes that are not "brembos"

I would also say there are many vehicles out there with 2 pistons (my old jeep Cherokee had 2 piston calipers)

It just so happens there is a bolt on 4 piston big brake kit for 1600 bucks lol Thats SUPER CHEAP and probably cheaper than you spend having the dealer change out your bads.

I would be willing to bet all the change in my pocket the CX-50 has single piston front calipers (hence the reason why if I pump the brakes I get better braking) Sure if I hold the brakes it stops just fine but I can tell the brakes are being over worked which will lead to premature rotor wear and premature caliper failure due to heat.

As others have said upgraded pads will for sure help and increase bite, however, it does not solve the root cause.... the root cause is the front calipers have single pistons and that's tiny for a vehicle that weighs 3500+ lbs.... let alone if you want to tow something. That Big Brake kit I linked above solves many problems


And since you posted the way you did... these brakes are way below average so the cars you drove must have been from the 40s. The average stopping distance for modern cars 60-0 is 124 ft. The Mazda CS-50 stops 60-0 in 136 feet. (Below average) You do not need a Porsche to keep yourself safe while braking. I had a 40k Civic Type R with 4 piston brakes that crushed Porsches. The Mazda CX-50 is neither of these, however our above points are that this car needs something to better the brakes.


TL;DR

Yes try upgraded pads. They will help.
The root cause is we have single piston calipers
The big brake kit is bolt on and super cheap

You sound insane.