KING

iTrader: (1)

Hello people,
Which brand of brake pads do you guys prefer?
Your best experience with noise level, pads temperature with continuous breaking, vibration, lifetime?

And most importantly, price.

Please post your experiences with all the brands you have used + OEM brake pads experience.

jayclapp

OEM or nothing.

notwealthy

Akebono makes some of the highest quality pads. Ceramic pads on rotors that aren't new can be noisy though. Bought my ls a few months ago with brand new pads and rotors but when it's time to replace them, I will probably go with Akebono.

SaleenS7

I recently replaced my rear brake pads with akebono pads and bought a new rear brake pad sensor for about $8 on rockauto. I didn't replace my rotor nor did I resurface them since they looked fine. I bought akebono pads for my W140 Mercedes as it was recommended by others on the Mercedes forum. On a side note this was the first car I've ever changed brake pads on. It was simple and easy.

BradTank

I had really good luck with Wagner ThermoQuiets ceramic pads, I've used them on 2 Lexus so far, both fit great, the product was made in the USA, no squealing, low dust. I had heard good reviews from some mechanics, glad I tried them out.

I also really like the price, around $30 for a front set.

For rotors, I have used Centric Premium, also really happy with them and they were fairly priced.

I just don't see the need to spend triple the money at the dealership for pads and rotors.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I've used Akebono Ceramic ProACT and Wagner Thermoquiet on my cars. Both are low-noise and they produce light-color dust. With OEM pads, my wheels were dirty within a week of driving. OEM pads are good, but when you have alternatives that perform just as well, if not better at a lower price, it's hard not to consider.

Regardless of the pad you buy, you need to properly bed them in. This means you should not baby them as instructed by the dealer/owners manual.

Galco

Akebono pads and Brembo rotors, good combination.

XJSFan

I have Akebono pads on my 06 LS 430 and they are great pads. Very quiet and my wheels stay clean. 82K miles and I am still on the original rotors that still look like new...

BigBruiser

+6 on Akebono.pads. I'm not able to discern the difference in braking but brake dust is as GSteg stated.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

The OEM is different then the RockAuto version. Lexus uses a soft pad and this helps the rotors last forever. I would choose the OEM pad over any other because it is a great pad. A little pricey.

Mark Sumitomo PS558H. I don't know... That's what it says.

http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...446550240.html

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

I recently put Akebono ceramic pads and new rotors on my 02 LS430 and it's been good so far. I haven't noticed any brake dust difference since I still have the factory 16 inch chrome wheels on there.

I will go with the Akebono pads on my 05 LS430 when I change them in a few months. The OEM pads leave tons of black dust all over my silver Work wheels. It drives me crazy.

Jabberwock

I used OEM Lexus/Toyota pads ordered from Irontoad.com. $50 per set..no issues.

Gene01

I would like to understand this.
Price is your most important factor for what is arguably the most important safety part on your luxury car?

j stuff

iTrader: (5)

Akebono pro act here too. I always went with whatever rotors

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

What's wrong with aftermarket pads? Unless you're buying pads from an unknown guy in a back alley, pretty much all pads sold are DOT-compliant. The difference is longevity, noise, and dust. Pad friction is a moot point since they're all good enough to activate ABS.

OEM has to balance between cost and performance. It's a safe bet, but there are aftermarket pads that are just as good, if not better.