Brake pads STOPTECH or OEM Volkswagen

Stop tech sport brake pads have been great to me.

I replaced them both with stoptech pads and rotors. Good quality and price.

I run Stoptech 305s and they exceed my expectations

I did Stoptechs in the front and Golf R rears, I canyon carve in it and the brakes are legit. Heavy, heavy repeated braking, no fade.

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

Stoptech Street pads for the Akebono brakes. I've only got 16k miles on them and they still look new, despite having drilled & slotted rotors. I do heavily downshift and engine brake, which explains the lack of wear. I'd buy them again as they're quiet, but they do produce a fair amount of brake dust.

Brakes don't squeal, but, at least when they're cold, they seem to grind/shudder/skip (not a warped rotor type of shudder) at low speeds.

It's the pad compound and v. common for VWs. Often first thing in morning when there is moisture on them and moreso in reverse. You can do new pads and use something like a ceramic compound, it's a cheap fix.

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?