Originally Posted By: d00df00d
I had both on my old '95 Maxima.
The Hawk HPS had MUCH better all-out stopping power.... when it was up to temp. The catch was, its optimal temp was so high that I never got it there unless I behaved very, very badly (e.g. maximum braking from 50-5 mph, several times in quick succession). Most of the time, it was good, but not exceptional. I feel like the EBC Green performed better when cold, which seems like a much better deal for street use. Dust and noise were roughly the same; more of both than OEM, but less of both than the Axxis Ultimate I had in between (which, incidentally, performed much better when cold than either of them).
If you have a heavy car and your drive is more stop-and-go than highway, the Hawk HPS might work better for you than it did for me. Otherwise, you're probably better off with OEM, honestly.
Interesting stuff.
I have been known to get stuck in traffic but its not often. I drive moderate to fast depending on how irritating the people are that are driving around me.
So you think just a 'meet or exceeds OEM specifications' would be fine? Its a 94 Jetta. I DO plan on having 3 kids in the back and sometimes a woman in the passenger seat. These Mintex pads are pretty much half the price.
Currently the front pads are the basic cheapos i snatched up 5 years ago from Schucks. The pads are maybe half worn. I don't know if its because they are glazed over or because i don't really use my brakes unless i'm going under 30MPH; i usually downshift.
One of the sets on my rear were REALLY worn because i had a bad caliper, so i replaced those with the most expensive set at O'Rielly's a few months ago.
So i'm mostly into replacing the fronts, which most of the braking burden is put.
I just feel OEM isn't good enough for the just in case.