which brake pads are best

[Skully4]

hi there

simple question which brake pads do you feel work best ?
pretty sure i need ceramic...196,000 going to look at new rotors ..
what do you toyota nation friends think?

[PhatRoyale]

What are you using them for? Daily driving? Track duty?

What do you want most of your pads? Quiet? Long life? Good initial bite? Fade resistance?

Please be more specific. There is no one best brake pad out there.

[fourwheeler]

I asked the same question a few weeks ago. I was all set to buy the OEM pads and rotors, but we just couldn't afford it. I went to a local parts dealer and bought the mid grade rotors and some Evolution pads which are a ceramic pad. So far they work great, no complaints. Found out I had a frozen caliper pin. After lubing all the pins and changing out the four sets of pads and rotors, the car stops great!

You are going to find everyone has a different opinion.

Personally I would choose either the evolution pads like I did, Bendix either CT3 or the semi-metallic, or OEM's.

Good luck.

[Skully4]

What about wagner pads? right now they have the Edge ones
and are offering a rebate..hold on wait..hmm rebate=cheap=
bad experience with "Bosch" crap a laugh plugs=rebate..

Anyone have a opinion on Wagner products..great head lights at one time..but brake pads?

I guess maybe semi-metallic is better then ceramic?

thanks for additional imput

Skully

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by Skully4

hi there

simple question which brake pads do you feel work best ?
pretty sure i need ceramic...196,000 going to look at new rotors ..
what do you toyota nation friends think?

Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM.

I am amazed at the incessant search for a better aftermarket brake pad. I have been driving Toyota/Lexus vehicles for 37 years. On a few occasions I experimented with premium aftermarket pads. None of them were as good as factory. Some would dust more, some would leave deposits on the rotor, some were noisy. I can not say this strongly enough, there is not a better pad out there than Toyota OEM when you consider life, noise, dust and stopping power. And, they don't cost any more and sometimes less than the fancy aftermarket jobs.

[TedL]

Originally Posted by artbuc

Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM.

I am amazed at the incessant search for a better aftermarket brake pad. I have been driving Toyota/Lexus vehicles for 37 years. On a few occasions I experimented with premium aftermarket pads. None of them were as good as factory. Some would dust more, some would leave deposits on the rotor, some were noisy. I can not say this strongly enough, there is not a better pad out there than Toyota OEM when you consider life, noise, dust and stopping power. And, they don't cost any more and sometimes less than the fancy aftermarket jobs.

But you're taking away the fun of the hunt. And buying OEM is what grandfather's do...boring.

But if reliable braking performance, with no dust, is what you're looking for, I'd stay with OEM Toyota. Same on my wife's Odyssey...OEM.

[Skully4]

So then I have to go to the toyota dealer and pay $$$$$?
I am sure oem pads can be found like at Orielys or Autozone?
cheers

[TedL]

Originally Posted by Skully4

So then I have to go to the toyota dealer and pay $$$$$?
I am sure oem pads can be found like at Orielys or Autozone?
cheers

Forgive my reality based response -- I enjoy confusing people with real facts, not just prejudices.

I recently purchased OE front pads for my '03 Avalon from garys@toyotaofnewnan.com. The price was $37.09. They were an add-on to a special order for my son's car, but let me allocate half the $10 S&H to these pads, or $5. That makes the total delivered to my door $42.09.

I'm looking at the Advance web site. They're only a 10 minute drive. AZ is 20 min each way, so I don't even consider them. Advance wants $42.99 for the cheapest ceramic front pads for my vehicle. Plus tax. Plus the cost to drive there, which I'll lowball at half a gallon of gas, or $1.50 Plus a half hour of my time.

So, the Wearever pads would cost 42.99 + 3.24 tax + 1.50 gas= $47.73(+30m minutes) to my door.

My math tells me the OE is cheaper. And then there's quality....................

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by TedL

Forgive my reality based response -- I enjoy confusing people with real facts, not just prejudices.

I recently purchased OE front pads for my '03 Avalon from garys@toyotaofnewnan.com. The price was $37.09. They were an add-on to a special order for my son's car, but let me allocate half the $10 S&H to these pads, or $5. That makes the total delivered to my door $42.09.

I'm looking at the Advance web site. They're only a 10 minute drive. AZ is 20 min each way, so I don't even consider them. Advance wants $42.99 for the cheapest ceramic front pads for my vehicle. Plus tax. Plus the cost to drive there, which I'll lowball at half a gallon of gas, or $1.50 Plus a half hour of my time.

So, the Wearever pads would cost 42.99 + 3.24 tax + 1.50 gas= $47.73(+30m minutes) to my door.

My math tells me the OE is cheaper. And then there's quality....................

I have done this calulation myself many times and have posted the results on other forums. Usually there are a couple folks who agree but the vast majority can't understand why I want to pay a fortune for Toyota pads when I can go to Pepboys, the Zone, etc, etc. Oh well, folks can do what they want. Good-luck to all.

[Skully4]

So Ted...ceramic is best then right as to the original rotors?

I just want what is best for my car.I think the rotors are decent.
yet at some braking there is a slight shuddering.

I have nothing against oem or staying with toyota parts.
there is a limit though on cost as to other necessities we have to make allowances for and this we all understand.

That price range seems reasonable. I just felt the wagners might be decent
bendix...sounds oem ..have a great day

[Tech1984]

Originally Posted by artbuc

Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM. Toyota OEM.

I am amazed at the incessant search for a better aftermarket brake pad. I have been driving Toyota/Lexus vehicles for 37 years. On a few occasions I experimented with premium aftermarket pads. None of them were as good as factory. Some would dust more, some would leave deposits on the rotor, some were noisy. I can not say this strongly enough, there is not a better pad out there than Toyota OEM when you consider life, noise, dust and stopping power. And, they don't cost any more and sometimes less than the fancy aftermarket jobs.

X2! Speaking from vast experience.

[tacosteelersman]

You buy a Toyota so you can genuine Toyota components.. nuff said

[TedL]

To be fair, my local Toy dealers charge 130-150% of MSRP for most parts, so the walk-in price for OE would be significantly higher. And if I were the type to not pay attention to my brakes until I hear the metal on metal, I might not be able to wait a few days for parts to arrive. But with a little planning and paying attention, I can have the quality parts when I need them, at good prices.

[PhatRoyale]

Originally Posted by Skully4

What about wagner pads? right now they have the Edge ones
and are offering a rebate..hold on wait..hmm rebate=cheap=
bad experience with "Bosch" crap a laugh plugs=rebate..

Anyone have a opinion on Wagner products..great head lights at one time..but brake pads?

I guess maybe semi-metallic is better then ceramic?

thanks for additional imput

Skully

Wagner makes good quality brake pads, they are also a supplier to a lot of OEMs.

I have Thermoquiets myself on my daily driver. Great pads, low dust and good initial bite. Very quiet.

[TedL]

Ceramic is the top of the line material in lines aimed at street/highway driving. (In addition to excellent braking performance, they don't leave significant dust on wheels, and are near noiseless.) I don't know about any specialized (e.g., racing) applications. OEM for my '03 is ceramic. Not sure how far back in time that's true, but suspect Toyota has upgraded the spec for cars that originally came with other than ceramic.