Brake pads Mintex or OEM Mazda

I bought a well maintained 2014 Mazda 3 hatchback with 60k miles two years ago for $8500. I’ve done rear and front brakes, as well as a rear wheel bearing in that time.

I'm a Mintex Red Box fan, I also upgrade to AutoTech drilled/vented rotors since I drive like I stole it. 2009 Jetta driver.

9 years working at Mazda and also a master tech, to me always oem fluid. No matter what, I for everything matter in fact. Seen lots of after makers stuff and even brake pads.

Just replaced acc drive belt, plugs and brake pads. One of the easiest cars to fix I've ever worked on. Overall, best car I've ever had.

2024 prem plus with 50k miles and no major issues. At 6k miles the battery was defective and then at 11k miles and then again at 36k miles my front brakes were shot.

235 km/h on the german autobahn, from one border to the other, no issue! Except for the numerous heavy breaking... Going from over 200 to less than 100 several times in a row and you start loosing confidence in the brakes.

Pacific Mazda has been okay; they only pushed an unnecessary break maintenance so far.

Similar thing happened to me today, vehicle is 2023 cx-50, 25k mile, not even 2 year, in upstate ny with weekly car wash, gentle on gas and brake. They said front pads are 30%, rear pads are 50%, quoted me $600 to get new front pad & rotor, and rear brake service(cleaning, lubrication). Just 2 month ago from another mechanic's report (same delear), all pads are above 50%. I don't think it's that bad that both pad and rotor need to be replaced, so I denied the work,

Mazda. Brakes. Suck. I’ve owned 2 6s. A 2018 and a 2021. Both needed brakes at around 20k. DO NOT REPLACE WITH MAZDA OE BRAKES. Or you’ll just be in the same boat again. Buy a set of PowerStops and be done with it.

I've been replacing the brakes on my 2019 since it hit about 25k or so, rear have been done twice (I'm at 62k now and just did them the second time) and the front were done around 30k. My dealership outright told me Mazda brakes are garbage and these vehicles are not made for Canadian winters (regardless of what their advertising says). This new set is aftermarket so hopefully better but seriously my brakes have been so corroded it's unbelievable.