Hella Front Brake Pad Set 355010581, Low-Metallic
Hella Front Brake Pad Set 355010581, Low-Metallic — Product description
The Hella 355010581 is a low-metallic front brake pad set with a built-in wear sensor, sold as a set of two for a single axle. It's built to OE friction spec for a long list of Volkswagen and Audi cars, so you get quiet, low-dust stopping without guessing at fitment. The wear sensor tells you when it's time to swap.
The Hella 355010581 is a front-axle brake pad set built for European daily drivers. You get two pads, enough for one axle, with a low-metallic friction compound and an integrated wear sensor already on the set. If you drive a Volkswagen or Audi from the mid-2000s through the late 2010s, there's a good chance these are the pads that came off the car.
Low-metallic is the sweet spot for street cars. It bites cold, holds up to real heat when you're loaded down or riding a long grade, and it's easier on your rotors than a hard semi-metallic pad. You'll still get some dust, that's the trade-off with any metallic compound, but the stopping feel is firm and predictable right from the first pedal press. Hella formulates this friction material to match the original equipment spec, so the pedal feel stays close to how the car braked when it was new.
The built-in wear sensor is the part people forget about until the dash lights up. This set ships with the sensor, so when the pads get down near the backing plate the sensor completes the circuit and throws the brake warning on your cluster. No guessing, no pulling a wheel every oil change to eyeball the pad thickness. When the light comes on, you've got pads and a sensor to swap together.
Fitment covers a wide slice of the VW and Audi lineup. On the Volkswagen side that's the Jetta, GTI, Passat, Rabbit, Beetle, CC, Eos, and Golf. On the Audi side it's the A3, A3 Quattro, TT, and TT Quattro. Model years run roughly 2005 through 2019 depending on the exact chassis and engine, and engine applications range from the 1.4L and 1.8L up through the 2.0T, 2.5L, and the 3.2L and 3.6L VR6. The OE reference is 3C0698151C, later superseded to 3C0698151D, so if that number is on your old pads or in your parts catalog, this is the match. Always confirm against your VIN or the number on the pad you're replacing before you buy.
Installation is straightforward if you've done a brake job before. Front pads on these platforms are a caliper-off job: pop the caliper, compress the piston, swap the pads and the wear sensor, and torque the caliper bolts back to spec. Bed them in properly with a series of moderate stops from about 35 mph and you'll get quiet, even braking. Don't reuse a worn sensor, it's included here for a reason. And if your rotors are grooved or below minimum thickness, do them at the same time. New pads on tired rotors never feel right.
On the road, expect quiet operation once they're bedded. Low-metallic pads run a touch of dust that shows up on lighter wheels, so a rinse now and then keeps them clean. Pad life depends on how you drive, but a set of front pads on a commuter usually goes tens of thousands of miles before that wear sensor ever chimes. Keep an eye on the warning light and you'll never be caught grinding metal on metal.
Who's this for? Anybody keeping a well-loved GTI, Jetta, or A3 on the road and wanting OE-level braking without dealer pricing. It's a smart choice for the DIY owner doing a front brake refresh, and it's just as at home in an independent shop's parts order. What it isn't: a track pad. If you're doing repeated hard stops on a road course, you'd want a dedicated high-temperature compound. For street, commuting, road trips, and the occasional spirited on-ramp, this low-metallic set is exactly right.
Hella develops and engineers this friction material in Germany, and the pads carry the same fit-and-forget philosophy the brand is known for. Order the set, do the job once, and drive on it for years.
Key Features
- Low-metallic friction compound: firm cold bite, solid heat resistance, and easier on rotors than semi-metallic pads
- Integrated wear sensor included: triggers the dash brake warning when the pads run low, no wheel-off inspections needed
- Set of 2 pads: covers one front axle in a single box
- Front-axle fitment: engineered for the front brakes on VW and Audi platforms
- OE reference 3C0698151C (superseded 3C0698151D): direct catalog match for the original pad
- OE-formulated friction material: keeps pedal feel close to how the car braked from the factory
- Broad VW and Audi coverage: Jetta, GTI, Passat, Golf, Beetle, CC, Eos, A3, and TT, roughly 2005 to 2019
- Manufacturer part number 355010581: exact Hella designation for confident ordering
Why Buy from NVN Marine
- Authorized Hella Pagid reseller, full manufacturer warranty
- NMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs
- Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items
- NY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store
Technical specifications
| Title | Hella Low-Metallic Front Brake Pad Set with Wear Sensor |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hella |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 355010581 |
| UPC | 4082300354898 |
| Set Quantity | Set of 2 (one axle) |
| Position | Front axle |
| Friction Material | Low-Metallic |
| Pad Wear Sensor | Included |
| OE Reference | 3C0698151C (superseded 3C0698151D) |
| Interchange Number | 8DB355010581 |
| Keystone Part Number | H57355010581 |
| Volkswagen Fitment | Jetta, GTI, Passat, Rabbit, Beetle, CC, Eos, Golf |
| Audi Fitment | A3, A3 Quattro, TT, TT Quattro |
| Model Year Range | 2005-2019 (varies by chassis) |
| Engine Applications | 1.4L, 1.8L, 1.9L, 2.0L, 2.0T, 2.5L, 3.2L, 3.6L |
Frequently asked questions
Does the 355010581 set include a brake pad wear sensor?
Yes. This set ships with an integrated wear sensor. When the pads wear down near the backing plate, the sensor completes the circuit and lights the brake warning on your dash, so you know it's time to replace them.
Is this a front or rear brake pad set?
It's a front-axle set. The two pads in the box cover the front brakes. If you need the rear pads, you'd order a separate rear-specific set.
How many pads come in the box?
Two pads, which is enough for one axle. A full front brake job uses one set like this. Most people replace both front and rear at once, so you'd order two sets if you're doing all four corners.
What vehicles does the Hella 355010581 fit?
It fits a wide range of Volkswagen and Audi cars, including the VW Jetta, GTI, Passat, Rabbit, Beetle, CC, Eos, and Golf, plus the Audi A3, A3 Quattro, TT, and TT Quattro, roughly model years 2005 through 2019. Always confirm against your VIN or the number on your old pads.
What is the OE reference number?
The original equipment reference is 3C0698151C, later superseded to 3C0698151D. If either number is on your old pads or in your parts catalog, this set is the match.
What does low-metallic friction material mean for daily driving?
Low-metallic pads give you a firm, predictable pedal with good cold bite and solid heat resistance for loaded driving and long grades. They're easier on rotors than harder semi-metallic pads. You'll see some brake dust, which is normal for a metallic compound.
Can I use these for track days?
These are built for street use, commuting, and road trips. For repeated hard stops on a road course you'd want a dedicated high-temperature track compound. For everyday driving and the occasional spirited on-ramp, this set is a great fit.
Do I need to replace the rotors too?
Not always. If your rotors are within minimum thickness and not grooved or warped, you can run new pads on them. But if they're worn, do the rotors at the same time. New pads on tired rotors never feel right and can wear unevenly.
