Brake pads OEM Subaru or Bendix
Every single time I install non OEM brakes on my Subaru they warp within a year, my Subaru brakes always last me 3+years. I have replaced about a dozen brake kits in my driveways. The Subaru brakes are the best.
I've used Bendix for decades now. I think they're a very underrated brand. I've never had any troubles out of them. I was a mechanic for almost 25 years. I've used just about every pad out there. For my personal stuff, I look for Bendix. The reasonable price and excellent quality is what I've always appreciated.
Bendix Ceramic. $20. OG rotors at 140k, they've been turned once and are within spec. Next time I'll grab the DD Centric rotor/pad combo off RockAuto for $55.
We have a 2019 Crosstrek Limited with Eyesight and no sunroof that my fianc\u00e9 bought new and now has ~78k miles on it. Zero mechanical issues, did the brakes at around 75k miles, and did have the head unit die earlier this year, which was not fun (Subaru of America thankfully warrantied the unit after reaching out to them). Interior wears pretty well considering she doesn't take care of the car much and she often takes our 2 large dogs around in it. For the money, I think they are hard to beat, even with the CVT.
I'm still using the factory rotors as they calipered just fine within spec at 132k. I just put on some standard Bendix ceramic for under $20. Didn't even turn my rotors because they were smooth as glass as I live in the south. Made sure to service the slide pins of course. As far as durability, you just can't beat the factory rotors so if they are still within spec, I see no reason to replace.
Basically they feel factory new with a nice progressive pedal dynamic.
I got Bendix rotors and Bendix ceramic pads from rock auto reasonably priced. Works very well
The OE pads do really just suck. The system itself, however is just fine. You should try some different pads of the sportycar flavor (Porterfield R4S, Carbotech Bobcat, G-Lok GS-1, etc.) and see how you feel. I have had no problems with spirited street driving after a pad upgrade. The pedal is actually very well modulated and rather than hitting like a ton of bricks it allows you to control brake friction pretty nicely.
Driving a Saga MT 2024. Switched from the stock brakepads to Bendix Metal King's. Drove up and down Genting roads quite often, but damn, the braking grips are not what was advertised, and made worse during rainy days. Luckily I drove a manual transmission saga, so I could balanced out braking hard with employing low gear, to cater to a proper sudden stop, especially going downhill, with all the speed bumps up there. And the brake dust? Lord! It's like I painted my wheels with paint, each time I got home.
I had my brakes replaced in January of this year and the dealership didn't charge me. Within about 4 months they started squealing again. I took it back and they basically told me to pound sand. I shouldn't need a 3rd set of brakes on a car with 30k miles. This has been very disappointing and really soured my opinion of Subaru.
I can’t wait to get my brakes fixed under warranty. This will be the 4th brake job before 60k miles which is horrendous. Hopefully around Thanksgiving I’ll try to get her in. The shuddering, the noise etc are something I expect from a car with 200k miles, but my 14 year old Honda with 202k, which also has had 4 brake jobs, feels way better than my 2021 Ascent
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