new brake pad recommendations for a daily driver
 

Need new pads soon. Any recommendations for a daily driver, OEM or aftermarket? Probably not going to a race track with the car, leaning towards ceramic because I don't want brake dust and they're most quiet.

I've used Akebono ceramics on all our vehicles and that's pretty much all I recommend these days. 2000 V6 mustang (sold), 06 Ford Escape - second set now, 08 Mustang GT - second set, 13 Turbo Beetle - recently installed.

They are quiet, no brake dust I can see, the only thing to be aware of is that the initial bite when cold will suffer a bit. After you've stepped on the brakes the first time for the day, they have a nice bite.

That initial bite thing is true of any ceramic pad but you get accustomed to it. The only thing good about them is the lack of dust, otherwise they are not as efficient.

EBC greenstuff, a bit dusty but silent and excellent bite. Very rotor friendly too.

They are actually more efficient at pulling away heat from other brake components and are typically quieter than semi-metallic. The only driving conditions they don't recommend ceramics for are track cars. . The other reason I switched to ceramic is I would always get squeaks or squealing out of the Escape after trying three different semi-metallic pads and two rotor sets (Motorcraft (pads/rotors), Duralast (Auto Zone) (pads), and Raybestos (pads/rotors)). With my old 00 mustang, I tried one set of OEM's and was done. Straight to Akebono on it too. Never looked back.

Very good experience here with Carbotech 1521's on the Maxima so far (a little over a year and 5000 miles). Very little dust, no noise, and better bite than either OE or Hawk HPS.


G-loc's GS-1 is a similar (if not downright identical) pad.




Norm

I put Akebono pads on my '06 GT 'vrt and wife's '08 Mazda GT. Both cars brake perfect with little to no dust.

I prefer a softer pad for my /14. Better bite and VERY rotor friendly. Dusty but I wipe them off.

I am terrible at wiping the wheels but maybe I should re-consider the ceramics..i think OEMs are semi-metallic.

Yes, Most OEM's are metallic unless you are looking at higher end versions of the vehicle or full blown sports cars.