I need some advice.
Have to replace brake pads soon on my 96 sc300.
Are there any recomendations? Which brands should I stay away from?

 

it all depends on you driving habits

everyday traffic / to the shops - trw/lucas (prefer to replace pads not rotors - $$$)
highway / spirited driving - bendix heavy duty
spirited driving / light track - project mu b-spec
few track days - project mu type hc+ and project mu scr rotors or dba 5000 series rotors

 

For daily driving/spirited driving just get a blank rotors.
Get R1 blank rotors & Akebono ProAct ceramic pads. These 2 are good combo.
Read some reviews on the LS & GS sections.

I have had these for a while and they've been great.

 

And there is always the OEM route. Always quiet and pretty low dust. The dealer list is only 56.73 on the pads.
part# 04465-24040

 

Wagner thermo quiet ceramic are a real good off the shelf pad.