Brake pads OEM Volkswagen or WILWOOD

I’m on 108000kms in my 2017 GLI and it runs like the day I bought it. I do the maintenance on time when needed and it is trouble free. So far all I’ve had to do is the brakes.

Since we had good luck with OE, went OE for replacements. So far, a few hundred miles in, all good.

I've done an almost complete overhaul on my bought-from-OG-owner low-k '07 B6 3.6 wagon. DSG from an R36, completely rebuilt suspension front to back on airbags, brakes, wrap, interior, sound system (the list goes on and on) for less than the purchase price of a used-by-who R36.

Have original brakes on it at 66000 miles.

The CPO contract goes into effect once I replace the worn brakes (pads and rotors) which can happen anytime- Service Rep said I can do it anytime but preferably soon (end of summer)- the brakes are fine to drive on now though

VW of macon charged me over 600 for just the front pads and rotors - that's with a friend's and family deal because my dad used to work there. Apparently the OEM parts are super steep.

From what I heard they changed the pads on the 2020 because people complained the 2019 pads were noisy.

My front brake rotors warped at ~12K miles. I had them machined and they lasted about another 12k until I replaced them with aftermarket Centric. Those lasted ~12K miles until they warped. At this time I went back to VW OEM rotors and they lasted ~12k miles. I had the OEM's machined, but now they are warped again. Along the way I tried some aftermarket pads, and generally had problems I purchased a pair at NAPA and they were sloppy in the caliper and would shift and click when applying the brakes in reverse. Went back to OEM on the pads and have no problems.

I have 4,800 miles on a 2023 MK8 and my brake pads are sticking to the rotors.

I’m not a mechanic by any means (I do try to work on my car myself for what I can fix and know how to do) but I’m gonna throw my own car under the bus and say VW. Why tf do I need specialized tools, and why do barely any after market parts fit my car?