Hi all. I will be replacing the brakes on my 2004 RX330 and I need a bit of input as this will be my first time doing a brake replacement. I see that I can order the parts (pads and rotors, front and back) from Sewell or tirerack.com, but why wouldn't I just go down to Napa and get the best they have and save myself some $ for shipping as well as on the materials. I realize that brakes are not where you want to skimp but on the other hand I do not need high performance gear as it is obviously not that type of car. Will the more affordable pads and drums wear out quicker? Has anyone had any experiences with this? Thanks in advance.
Mike

 

On a Lexus I'd get OEM or pay more from an aftermarket company (Stoptech, Rotora, etc). On a car I don't care about or don't want to spend too much on, then I'd get the local auto store brand (Napa, Kragan, Pepboys, etc).

 

Lexus specifies Ceramic pads, so I'd probably make sure that you stick to their recommendation and you'll be fine. Both Napa and Autozone sell aftermarket Ceramic pads in your fitment; I put the Autozone Duralast Gold Cmax pads on my father-in-law's Sebring Convertible about a year ago, and he's pretty happy so far. They have a lifetime warranty, to boot.

You'll pretty much pay the same amount whether you buy locally or mail-order, as slightly higher prices + sales tax offset any savings from not paying shipping.

 

You can put whatever kind of pads you want, oem or aftermarket. Done properly, the vehicle will still stop.

If you've never done brakes you may want to have a friend with brake experience help you the first time. While not difficult, brake jobs are not very forgiving of errors.

 

If you're doing it yourself, be sure to put the anti squeal grease, or we'll hear you a mile away

 

Thanks for the input. So do the more expensive brakes (not top of the line) last longer, perform better, or make less noise?

 

Not always, yes & yes.