I need to replace my rotors on my 01 GXE due to warpage. Since I'm down there, may as well change the pads but I'm lost as to what to get. What are the advantages and disadvantages between ceramic, OEM, and semi? Is one quieter than the other? Does one have a longer pad life than the other? Does one stop better than the other? All of the pads I've seen claim to be "nice" to the rotor. Can someone break it down for me? Thanks.

Leon

 

There are tons of pads on the market.

I think the OEM pads are a semi metallic. Also add carbon fiber to the list.

OEM pads or a good quality semi metallic is perfect for everyday driving.

Ceramic stays a little cooler longer and may prevent warping of the rotors.

Most pads are quite. Look for an edge that is slanted to minimize noise.

Just look around and PM people with differnent pads and see how they like them, since everyone drives different it is hard to determine what pads are "best". Personally I will try the ceramic pads next time.

 

actually, the OEMs are ceramic on the 02-03, dunno about the 00-01

 

Also there are pads with titanium in them too...like mine!

 

which pads? the OEMs?

For all out stopping power, you want a metal/asbestos mix. But, they are noisy as f*ck and are by no means smooth. Also, your rotors will last all of one set of brake pads. I used to have them on my 89 benz, and it didnt stop, it froze. Only problem was the noise and harshness..

 

Which dust the least?

 

ceramic pads

 

So we have:

1) Ceramic (Stays cooler longer low dusting)
2) Semi- Metallic (dust OEM like)
3) Carbon Fiber
4) Titanium
5) Asbestos

Now, for street driving, I am looking for cost effective (not necessarily cheap) for GOOD stopping power and quiet. It has to have good intial bite

Sounds like ceramic is the first place to start. I doubt Asbestos is a good option anymore, and Titanium/carbon fiber sound like its more for tracking.

So what ceramic pads have people used out there?

EDIT: Cant abbreviate Titanium as ***...hehe

 

The OEMs are ceramic, not semi-metallic. But there are different types of ceramic compounds, just like there are different metal compounds. There are axxis ultimates, which are ceramic, but much harder than the OEM pads.

 

I have an 01 and those were ceramic? Hmmm, weird.

But since I am doing the Z conversion, I cant get OEM. I dont want super hard pads, as they will have a greater opportunity to squeek. At least from my previous experience.

 

The ones I haver are semi-metallic with titanium element strips. They are Bendix brand. I'm happy with them. Quiet as a mouse and good bite for daily driving. Are they high-performance? I doubt it, but I don't auto-x so I don't really care.

 

Dunno if you would be interested, but I can get the Z pads in the same compound that E55 is referring to in the '02+ pads. It would be interesting to see how they work on a converted Maxima!

 

So what is the best pads to get, brand names, cost effectivness, places to go to buy them?? Anyone have this info??

 

The Z pads, as dave said, are ceramic. Basically, the best brake pad boils down to a point of preference. What is best for me, rather what is best overall, is how one should look at it.

 

Okay, then where would you recommend getting good brake pads from. Mine are very low and could use new ones before they jack up my rotors. You have a link you could send me to brake pads that you would recommend buying so I know I am not getting crappy stuff?? Thanks

 

ok so for a daily driver, that wants stopping power, long lasting and no dust what do you guys recommend?

 

And please someone help a newbie like me and tell me where to find it and what I should pay for it....

 

I like the Porterfield R4S carbon/kevlar pads. They do dust a lot but the dust comes off easily with a damp cloth with almost no rubbing required (even if you wait a long time to do it. They offer much better stopping power than the OEM Nissan pads and my rotors have been wearing better too.

 

So can you give me a link to a site where I can order them from? I need to get this done soon before my rotors really feel the affect...

 

www.porterfield-brakes.com

 

where to get bendix pads and how much?