So from skimming over this thread. it looks like if you want FW, you have to go to 5.3 or newer, and then you can only use the unlocked firmware, where there are no limits including not able to limit controller/motor temperature against overheating?
Running high power hubs with bike frames is futile, but you can get hub specific frames with clamping dropouts that will work just fine.
Then you can use regen and never worry about running through brakes.
I'm in London and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Normally the police aren't allowed to ram/chase/harm the criminals.
The highlight reel you see of them doing it is a special unit and they prepared these videos to scare criminals and make people feel good/safe.
These types of crimes are...
Gold plated terminals on connector are corroded. One of them is green. You need to clean it off and also look at the receptacle where the terminal goes in.
Almost every brake brand has replacement pads on aliexpress between 1 and 2 dollars. I've been using them fine, I have a hunch they come from the same factory as the originals (illicit production runs).
5-6v is good, 7 or 8 would be too much
The connector may be starting to get destroyed for it to start not popping, or you are plugging the charger into the wall first, before connecting it (as you should)