designo

iTrader: (6)

Ordered a set of StopTech pads!

Are they good?

*Batman*

No idea. Hopefully you will tell us.

I went with OEM for now since I had no issues.

I had a look at Stop-Tech's site and their product looks superb. I really want BBKs with black calipers and gold zinc coated rotors.

username32

Does this brake squeal apply to the black 4 pot calipers of newer models? I don't have a lick of noise on my 06 GS300 w/ OEM pads.

designo

iTrader: (6)

You might be right! I have a few friends who drive the 2006 models and none of them complained of break squeal!

*Batman*

They switched to pads with higher metallic content in 07, but then switched back to a more ceramic pad in 08 and issued a tsb for 07 and 08 pads.

Personally I didn't have any squealing on my high metallic OEM pads until the very end when the front pads were shot.

I think climate and dust levels play into it somewhat. I remember having squeal in Atlanta for a couple of weeks when I was there, but not in Miami. Miami is more urban so less soil/clay dust in the air.

designo

iTrader: (6)

Hmm, you might be right! We have alot of humidity and salt here too!

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

I am surprised its takes you guys so long to drop the OEM pads, I got rid of mine under 5k miles since I got the car. I felt like I was in a German car with black rims up front. Some things just aren't worth the headache for. I got akebono brake pads and couldn't be happier.

*Batman*

All my previous cars since age 21 were BMWs so I'm used to the brake dust on the front wheels. Plus I use Swissvax Autobahn (a wheel wax developed for the Bugatti Veyron to resist brake dust) which is remarkably effective at keeping them clean. Took me 11,000 miles to fully use up my OEM pads.

While I'm visiting my parents for the holidays I took my mum's ES350 in for service at 16,000 miles and her original pads are at 95%! I couldn't believe it!

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

WOW does she down shift when she is slowing down?
Previous owner changed brake pads on my GS when it was at 41,617 miles, rear were at 50%. BTW batman thanks for the reply via PM.

designo

iTrader: (6)

This Lexus is gonna make me buy all the pads out there in the market! I'v enever had to worry about the pads before!

Rider

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My rears were history at only 6k miles !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Batman*

Yes - you and Designo share the record for going through pads in 6k miles.

Must be the open roads and free highways you have in the middle east. In the US, between the traffic and the speed enforcement *****, pads end up lasting longer.

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

I did have my rear calipers pins seized if that helps the life out of the pads. 6k for pads wear i would of been very happy with, to me that means my rear brakes are working perfectly fine. Then i would put ceramic brake pads and get like 25k miles out of it.

S-Lex-95

My 95 LS400 has done this since we bought it in 1999. Changing pads and anti squeal shims etc usually takes care of it. And then after a year or 2 the noise is back. And have to repeat the repair. The brake pads seem to function ok, no scratching the rotors or anything however this is the car my wife drives and I am informed that it is embarrassing for the car to be so noisy. BTW this mostly seems to happen when backing up, as out from the garage or out of a parking place.

designo

iTrader: (6)

So I got my Stoptech a couple of weeks ago, but I won't use them until these brand new OEM ones start to give in! Dealer replaced my rotors and pads under warranty 1000 miles ago, so let's see what happens this time.