aftermarket brake pads/ noise problems?

[megrissa]

I need brake pads on my G37 Journey. I called the dealership for prices and was told it would be $506.00 for front and rear brake pads and machining the rotors. I asked what kind of brake pads these were, because for $506.00 they should be pretty spectacular. No one in the service department knew, and the guy in the parts department took a guess and said they were some sort of metallic/ceramic blend or something like that, but he wasn't sure.

He then proceeded to tell me that upgraded and higher end brake pads make a lot of noise and he strongly advises against them. He said they may have better stopping power is the car is drove aggressively, but they'll squeak and squeal under normal braking.

What? I've owned quite a few cars and never had such an issue with aftermarket parts. Has anyone encountered this?

I'm no car expert, but I'm pretty good with the basics and I know how to change brake pads, so what brand would you all suggest if I do this myself? I'd like to eventually replace everything, but right now I just need pads. Help a girl out!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Hi, Welcome to NICO!
What the parts guy told you is only partially true. If you buy aftermarket racing pads, then yes, they'll be noisy and wont work well when cold.
Regular aftermarket pads will be fine though.
Most of our vendors should sell aftermarket pads for your car for a hell of a lot less than half a grand. I'd recommend Hawk performance ceramic (AKA Hawk Yellow) pads:
http://www.hawkperformance.com/performa ... ce-ceramic

Check out www.tunerzstore.com to see if they have what you need.

[audtatious]

Dealership cost is crazy. Get Hawk pads as mentioned above and you will be fine.

[DamageInc]

I have Hawk Yellow on my car now (front and rear) and to be honest I am not that impressed. I had Autozone Duralast Gold (ceramic pads) on there before and I think they stopped better then the Hawks. I am going back to AZ pads once these burn down. Some will also say that Hawks dust less, I don't see that either, they seem about the same to me. Pads, like tires, are 80% personal preference IMO.

[audtatious]

Most people are quite happy with hawk pads. I'm fine with them on the back of my coupe but for the fronts I have Project Mu....little sucky while cold but once warm they are great.

[RED_DET]

What are Hawk yellow pads? Never heard of those and I have been selling after market parts for quite some time.

[audtatious]

Hawk Yellow box = Performance Ceramic?

[daruma]

I have used EBC Red Stuff brakes on a few different cars and I have been very pleased with the performance and dust levels.