Brake pads OEM FORD or Mintex

For brakes I run Scirocco 10.1 fronts with Mintex red pads, MK3 200mm rear drums- i used to have to be careful when I ran 195/50/15's because of accidental lock, but it's much improved with the 205/50/15's (Toyo R1R's- best tire i've had).

I upgraded the pads and rotors to drilled Zimmerman discs that I painted black except for swept area and Mintex pads from Autotech.

For future reference I use Mintex pad all round (occasionally Pagid) Cross reference Front Pads MDB 2601 Rears MDC 1924 Front 365mm Floating Discs VW PATTERN PART ONLY!

In terms of driving impressions, well...it feels heavy and clumsy around town. The steering is very heavy...forget twirling the wheel with a finger. The shifter is mounted low and away. It takes effort to shift, and it's very solid and mechanical (rod shifter). The clutch is progressive but the friction point is not very obvious. Ride is quite good, and push through the clumsy feeling and she can dance. Brakes are hysterically soft, typical for a SHO.

I was still on the original pads/rotors when I sold it back in '04 and not a day goes by that I don't miss it.

I have the DBA 4000s and really like them--but I have the Mintex pads and in the cold, they squeel horribly. But, low dust and decent performance.

I've heard there was in issue with this with mintex pads for the Passat. the red boxes would just start up under high heat

I had a set of Mintex Red Boxes on my '98 GTI-VR6. Other than producing less dust (or a less-visible dust), I thought they were garbage. The stock pads stopped and felt better.

mintex reds are WORSE than stock in my opinion....i bought some, and got ride of em a few months later

Driving home today, and I had to brake HARD to avoid a collision, the fade was awful - the pedal went straight to the floor - no ABS activation, NOTHING... Got home and the fronts are SMOKING, and the rears are completely toast - I mean GONE - there is almost NO friction material left, and a PILE of it on my wheels... These had seen NO track usage, and NO abuse in the last thousand miles... thanks a lot MINTEX - you've made an angry customer for life...