Bendix pads are very good. I haven't tried their rotors, but I wouldn't hesitate next time I have to change out.
Pros: very good
Owner reviews for brake pads
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Hawk hps brake pads, best bang for buck, imo. I would replace the rotors if they are starting to develop a lip at the edge of the rotor. So by looking or feeling the rotor when it’s cold or you haven’t driven it for a while. Again test when cold, never hot. If they do need replacing you can check out ECS tuning and they usually have a brake pad + brake rotor combo deal, I believe it’s under their maintenance or performance section on their page, also filter out using your car make and model. If you’re strap on cash then you can check out Chris fix on YouTube and he has plenty of DIY videos on how to install. Good luck! I bought the drilled slotted and hawk pads combo from ecs and have them on my car now. Definitely improves the brake pedal feel tremendously, would recommend.
Pros: best bang for buck, improves brake feel
Vehicle:
Volkswagen
TBH I'd just buy the rotors and get stoptech pads. I have use many pairs of them and they work well without breaking the bank.
Pros: work well, affordable
Hawk HPS Pads
Vehicle:
Honda Fit
I really like the stoptech sport brake pads. They are very aggressive and brake very well with excellent initial bite. They don't fade much after repeated heavy braking which is nice. This does come at a cost. Since these are semi-metallic compounds they will eat your rotors. You will be replacing rotors with pads every time.
Pros: aggressive braking, excellent bite
Cons: eats rotors quickly
After 70K miles of fun driving, I finally replaced my front brake rotors and pads...3mm left on the pads LOL. I got Zimmermann Rotors($180) and Mintex pads($45) and couldn't be happier. In fact, this set-up feels a lot better than the OEM bite and feel plus the massive reduction in brake dust.
Pros: better than OEM, less dust
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
Mileage: 70000 km
I recently got a pair of pretty rusty 325 calipers for £50 (mine are the smaller ones from a 316) and sandblasted them back to clean metal. Then painted with high temp paint and rebuild kit £30 (pistons, seals, guide pins, bleed valves etc). I was pretty happy with the result which cost me around £100 for the pair. I then went with mintex discs and pads and a full set of braided brake lines my mate had. Full refurb prolly cost me £300 and are significantly better than they were but I don't think they will be as good as a 4 pot setup.
Pros: significantly better brakes
Cons: not as good as 4 pot
Vehicle:
BMW
I used OEM replacement Textar pads. At some later date I may go with something a bit more grippy, but for DD duties the Textar/Porsche pads seem to be more than up to the task.
Pros: up to the task
Cons: not very grippy
Vehicle:
Volkswagen
I've had the the Red Stuff pads on mine for a few years now, and I doubt i'll get them again. They're a good pad with low dust, but they take a lot of heat before they feel "right". They don't like cold rotors. It's like they're happier after a panic stop or track time. On the street, they're just too aggressive for normal city/highway driving.
Pros: good pad, low dust
Cons: aggressive, needs heat
I also bought EBC YellowStuff last year, and they promptly broke several springs which lead to hugely annoying rattle noises when driving over bumps.
Cons: broke several springs, rattle noises
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
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