Brake pads TRW or OEM Volvo

I do change oil and brake pads by myself for my xc60 and xc90.

I would recommend the TRW ultra pads from the official ZF store on eBay. $50 total for front and rear. They’re a tier 1 oem supplier, and the ultra line is their premium aftermarket offering. Similar to akebono and the pro act line which isn’t available for the 4th gen. The solid Bosch rotors would be a good choice. Centric as well.

I upgraded my brakes. I went with TRW ultra ceramic pads, Zimmermann front rotors, brembo rear rotors, and it was definitely a big upgrade. The brakes no longer feel spongy, much better overall feel, and less brake dust.

For my 2016 V60 I only spend about $500. Also depending on your rotors and pads, there's no need to do both front and rear together.

I replaced the front pads myself after 25,000 miles (was 2 years ago), it cost me under $200, including all the necessary tools and original Volvo pads.

I didn't touch the calipers, I thought the calipers were ATE, but could be TRW. I only changed out rears at this time, fronts are still the same. The pads are TRW ceramic something or others that came with zimmerman rotors in the cheapish FCP kit.

Volvo uses a softer compound. I think they call them comfort brakes or something? I would always get about 40k miles out of my pads on my XC90. I switched to an Acura MDX and got 140k miles out of my pads. Volvo brakes work really well but I’ve never had a set last really long time.

remember there are 5-7 different brake pad manufacture's that VW uses and slaps their logo on it. Buying from dealer or third party with a VW logo on it doesn't mean they are exactly perfect. its a shame that VW charges those prices and still have this issue, yet you could buy jane plane TRW/ATE pads and be fine.

TRW Ceramic Pads: Good for city driving, almost not dust, would not recommend for any track

I have a 2019 XC40 and kept having brake issues - they ended up replacing the pads and rotors… at less than 15k miles. I continue to have issues (now it’s nothing serious, just a very loud obnoxious squeal)