Brake pads Centric or OEM Porsche

My 981 Cayman is very maintenance friendly. I’ve done oil, transaxle oil, spark plugs (tight space but doable), brakes, etc. It is quite a bit easier than the 718 since you have to remove underpanels to gain access to the underside of engine/transaxle.

If my customers choose aftermarket, I always get

380mm centric high carbon rotors

Centric posi-quiet ceramic brakes.

The centric rotors are the absolute best bang for your buck.

I find paid results in comebacks, and oddly enough I get a lot of comebacks when I use brembo brake pads and rotors (they are 100% a different formulation than the land rover brembo OEM spec)

Centric Premium is my preferred brand, I have used them for years and they don’t warp.

Been running “Centric Posi Quiet Ceramic Brake Pads” since 2020 and nearly zero dust.

I had a 996.2 and an early 2.5L 986 and I loved the Boxster more. One of the best cars I've owned. I drove it back and forth from NC to WI several times. I am 6'5" and had luggage room to spare. It made better sounds than the 996. It was not very fast. It was pretty easy to work on and every single DIY job is well documented online. It was really comfortable. The handling is awesome, the brakes are awesome. Even the base ones.

Get a set of Centric PQ (posi-quiet) pads and rotors. Way better than any of the big chain brick and mortar store offerings for less $ too

I bought that centric kit for my 18 Mazda 3 last year, no issues.

Centric Posi Quiet Ceramics & 120 Series rotors from Tire Rack. Though not a CX5, my Mazda6 is running at 60k miles on this set.

Zimmerman Cross drilled rotors from FCP Euro with Centric posi quiet ceramic pads. So much less brake dust with these pads compared to stock.

If you're looking for a solid set at a budget price, I've always had solid results from Centric and Power Stop brands on Rockauto. They're not high end by any means but they're cheaper than going OEM and they've always lasted at least 40,000+ miles. Also, if you go to Rockauto, do not be tempted by their economy category. The offerings in that section are very inexpensive but you absolutely get what you pay for. I went that route once out curiosity and the pads and rotors from the economy section were awful. Squealed and squeaked from day one and wore down insanely fast. Tried sound dampening sprays and re greasing. Never took the noise away.