I need brake pads for my 97' xj6 --OE pads are by Ferodo and are semi-metallic with less metal than most semi-metallic according to the dealer. my oe pads on the car have not been noisy but have been very "dusty" to keep clean. Should I stay with the OE pads or try a ceramic. I've heard they are quiet and show less dust. There are differing opinions about whether they wear out rotors faster or not.

Submitted by triath5147@msn.com on Sun, 09/05/2004 - 09:29

Ceramic pads are the latest and greatest these days. They will not wear out rotors faster, than semi metallic pads. They make less noise and have virtually no brake dust, unlike semi metallics.
If ceramics are available for your car, get them. But I have noticed that a car originally designed with ceramic pads, the pads last longer, than on cars not originally designed for them. I don't know why, or how, but expect them to wear out about 15% faster than the semi metallics did.
It must have something to do with heat dissapation or caliper pressure...?