i had my pads replaced yesterday at lexus of westminster. only driven about 50 miles on them but so far i don't notice any change in braking performance. keep in mind i'm still breaking them in so i haven't done any hard stops.

 

Had mine changed today. Brake feel is very different. not as "grippy" as the original. Still has good stopping power. pedal feel is much more progressive and I like that. I'd say I "feel" like they perform 15% less. Only drove 50 miles so far so will update if it changes as they break in more.

 

Got mine done today, notice a very slight difference in that they are not as sensitive. I used to have to be very light on my brakes to come to a smooth stop. Now its much easier to come to a smooth stop. I tried hard braking a couple of times and seemed to be just as good in this regard, just not as "grippy"... In other words, the stop distance seems to be the same when you jam the brakes but is not as sensitive as the old pads

 

Anyone saying brakes pads affect stopping distance for a single stop doesn't understand how to stop a car. They need to read this. There are a lot of things you can do to brakes to change the feel. There is only one thing you can do to change stopping distance and it has nothing to do with brake components.

 

Thanks for that link, Lance - very interesting reading.

Javier

 

Then why do people spend thousands on Brembos, stoptech etc... brake components? Or get race pads etc? Or larger rotors etc?

 

Just read a few bits and pieces of the article, makes sense, but still skeptical that you wouldn't get any additional stopping distance from upgraded brakes. When I have the time I'll go through the entire article.

 

That exact question is addressed in detail in the article Lance posted the link to above.

Javier

 

GOOD READ! And makes sense. I always thought, well when you jam the brakes and the cars wheels lock, as long as the brakes can lock the wheels your stopping should be the same once the wheels lock up (EXCEPT for the short amount of time you have to press a bit longer (in terms of distance) and harder). Confirms what i'm feeling, that it takes a bit more pedal pressure to stop the car but the stopping distance is the same Seems there would be NO real reason not to get these unless the heat of using the brakes causes inconsitency in how hard you had to press down on the brake and if that would bother you.