YACT: Expensive Brake Pads!

[SilverTorch]

So I'm getting ready to change my pads, my old ones are not completly worn out, but they are getting there. All 4 of my rotors are from Baer, the rear are stock size and use the stock caliper, the front are 12in rotors with dual piston calipers (look exactly like 1996 Vette calipers). Rear pads I can pick up at Lees without a problem, but the front ones I decided to order through Baer (might as well for the first time, b/c I really don't want to run back and forth exchanging pads this close to winter). I call them up and order a set of front pads for my system, the pads turn out to be $114!! Looked up pads for a '96 Vette (thats what Baer recomends getting) on NAPA, they have them for $129!! Mind you thats just for the front set.

Is that expensive or is it just me?

 

[Quixfire]

Interesting, AutoZone is selling front brake pads for a 96 Corvette for $18, $56, & $70. I understand the quality of the pads can affect price and Baer & OEM pads might be made better but I can believe NAPA pads would be any better than AutoZone premium pads.


P.S. Don't forget the Locite.

 

[SilverTorch]

Hmm, that is interesting, but as I said, I'm going to splurge on pads this time.

Yea, I'm going to buy plenty of that stuff

 

[RayH]

That's in the ballpark for decent performance pads. For that much, you may also want to consider looking into Porterfield R4S pads.

 

[Vette73]

Get the Carbon-Met. ones from Autozone that Quixfire gave a price for.

Great performance and will not break the bank. I run them on plenty of customers cars and also mine.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: RayH
That's in the ballpark for decent performance pads. For that much, you may also want to consider looking into Porterfield R4S pads.

Those squeel a lot, since they're made for the track. Also sorta rough on rotors.

I'd go for EBC Greenstuffs for aggressive, everyday driving.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: RayH
That's in the ballpark for decent performance pads. For that much, you may also want to consider looking into Porterfield R4S pads.

Those squeel a lot, since they're made for the track. Also sorta rough on rotors.

I'd go for EBC Greenstuffs for aggressive, everyday driving.

The R4S are the street/daily/sometrack version. The R4 are the more agressive track/street version. My bro has front R4S on his Civic, no noise, and superb stopping. Dust is about the same as OEM. He has Hawk HPS on the rear. The Hawk HP+ are the more agressive pads over the HPS. Pepboys now carries Hawk pads.

I've read too many people having warped rotors/uneven pad deposits by using the EBC greens. My uncle had greens on his E46 BMW, had to replace them not even 6 months after having them installed. He is now using PBR/Axxis metal masters and Brembo Sport rotors (the "drilled" version) and no problems.

 

[redly]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Interesting, AutoZone is selling front brake pads for a 96 Corvette for $18, $56, & $70. I understand the quality of the pads can affect price and Baer & OEM pads might be made better but I can believe NAPA pads would be any better than AutoZone premium pads.

P.S. Don't forget the Locite.

I can vouch for that, sort of. I bought the second cheapest at Napa for my car and the second cheapest at Autozone for my van. The Autozone pads have a nice made in rural China feel to them. On the other hand, I was quite impressed with the Napa quality look and feel and performance.
YMMV

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: redly

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Interesting, AutoZone is selling front brake pads for a 96 Corvette for $18, $56, & $70. I understand the quality of the pads can affect price and Baer & OEM pads might be made better but I can believe NAPA pads would be any better than AutoZone premium pads.

P.S. Don't forget the Locite.

I can vouch for that, sort of. I bought the second cheapest at Napa for my car and the second cheapest at Autozone for my van. The Autozone pads have a nice made in rural China feel to them. On the other hand, I was quite impressed with the Napa quality look and feel and performance.
YMMV

How so. Autozone use to have Raybestos make their pads and now switched to Morse.

I get most of the pads I use from Autozone, my cars and my customers, and never had a problem. Also most of their pads were/are made in America or Canada. Only their cheapest ones seem to have a higher % from China.