Owner reviews for brake pads

I’ve been really liking my powerstops. $375 for rotors and carbon fiber ceramic pads. Easy install and they’re super quiet. Have yet to really drive them hard but for daily/spirited driving I’m super happy with them.

At 55,XXX miles and still haven’t changed my brakes on 2019 AWD Mazda 3(not as heavy as yours but heavier than a FWD 3) Last service, I was in the green for both sets still, but they said I would likely be in “yellow” by 60-65k. I did want to note—I hear no scraping/squealing and brakes feel relatively strong just not as great as new.

If got the brembo pads and discs on for about 2 months now. They are good enough for the daily driving. Brake dust still a bitch

I run Stoptech 305s and they exceed my expectations

Carbotech 1521 or G-Loc GS1 (same compound). Same stopping power as stock but much more progressive, don't have that really harsh initial bite the stock ones have and make way less dust. 10/10

Hawk Street 5.0 have been better at stopping than stock, lasted over 25k miles with about 60% left, and have dramatically less dusting than stock.

For regular use as a daily driver with regular spirited driving I really like EBC yellow pads. Honestly, those pads combined with StopTech rotors has been a great upgrade for my daily-driven car.

I recommend Carbotech Pads, and no I'm not affiliated with the company, but for my street pads, I only run them on my vehicles. Drastically reduced brake dust, didn't notice any loss of performance or increase in heat from spirited driving.

Changed the front brake disc and pads (TRW brand) on my car (Opel/Vauxhall Astra J 2016) and noticed my car started to smell heavily burnt rubber after heavy braking when the car stops. I understood that brakes does this in the beginning but now it has gone s month and probably around 150km (100miles) and I also have made some emergency brakes from high speed to speed up this process. So two weeks ago I removed everything and really deep cleaned the caliper and checked the pads. From smelling the pads it seems like it is the glue between the brake pad and the anti squeak plate that cause the smell (?) I also checked the temperature of the brake disc after normal usage and they are all around the same temperature, so I doubt it is a frozen caliper. (Around 70c 155f) but still they smell, maybe a bit less.

Got mine in November of 2021 and have had the same squealing and grinding issue. Sometimes it's a high-pitched whistle. Going to look at the ceramic brake pads that someone suggested, but its a shame that VW does not address.