Question: Brake upgrade or stock?

[03WhiteConv]

Need to replace the front pads (regular maint), but will do all four wheels together. Currently have dealer installed units. Looking for opinions, should I upgrade? I'd like less dust, don't ever race the car, just a daily driver.

I could go anywhere from just a pad replacement and rotor turn, to trying an aftermarket pad and stock rotor or an aftermarket pad/rotor swap.

My main concern is reliability and stopping power for normal driving

 

[ernestD]

For your kind of driving just replace with stock pads and rotors.easy to do,cheap,and be done with it,and no problems!

 

[Hib Halverson]

If the car is a daily driver and you're not on a really tight budget, OE pads are the best choice.

Do not "turn" the rotors unless they are severely scored or are truly "warped".

If the rotors are below discard thickness, you must buy new ones.

With an 03, since it's time for front pads, consider flushing the entire system, too. Flushing the system every 3 or 4 years keeps the fluid clean and improved durability of the ABS/AH/TCS brake modulator valve.

 

[03WhiteConv]

If the car is a daily driver and you're not on a really tight budget, OE pads are the best choice.

Do not "turn" the rotors unless they are severely scored or are truly "warped".

If the rotors are below discard thickness, you must buy new ones.

With an 03, since it's time for front pads, consider flushing the entire system, too. Flushing the system every 3 or 4 years keeps the fluid clean and improved durability of the ABS/AH/TCS brake modulator valve.

Checked the rotors yesterday and they look pretty good, front and rear. There is a bit of a raised lip on the outer edge where no wear has taken place. Can I just put the pads on and disregard (provided they meet the min thickness)?

 

[ernestD]

yes you can.I went with gm drilled rotors on the front for the looks only have had no problems.Brakes and rotors on these cars are pretty simple and most pads make dust so keep your rims washed and you will be good to go!

 

[NORTY]

Need to replace the front pads (regular maint), but will do all four wheels together. Currently have dealer installed units. Looking for opinions, should I upgrade? I'd like less dust, don't ever race the car, just a daily driver.

You shouldn't upgrade unless you're up against the performance threshold of your current braking system.

I could go anywhere from just a pad replacement and rotor turn, to trying an aftermarket pad and stock rotor or an aftermarket pad/rotor swap.

My main concern is reliability and stopping power for normal driving

Has your current system been unreliable? If yes, then a change is necessary.

I would only replace the stock pads with more stock pads in the identical compound. This will reduce checking in the future. (Not heat checking, but residue checking.)