Perhaps someone should do extensive testing of braking distance to a
full stop from say 60 mph ,
on a Vanagon ..but with different pads tried ..
different brands and grades and prices..
and note pedal feel, ability to modulate stopping 'grip'  and stopping
distanceand other attribues.

under controlled circumstances..same van, same road, same temperature ..
same brake temps even.

some pads are optimized for low cost,
some for long life, some for no brake dust, some for no sqeual ( or
combo's ofall these )
or stopping power.
or resistance to fade ..another very important attribute to have in a
brake pad.

Generally ..the more you pay for a set of pads..the better they will be,
and deliver the best overall blend of desirable attributes. I stopped
buying the cheapest stuff, or even somewhat inexpensive stuff, a long
time ago.
Doesn't pay really, all factors considered.

lol..a set of pads range between about $ 9 and about $ 90 ..
I won't be using the cheap ones in any case, personally.

On 7/9/2013 8:31 PM, Richard A Jones wrote:
> Dennis wrote:
>>   Stopping ability is more
>> important than long life.
>
> Perfectly said!
>
> But, it's like saying good tires are better than cheap
> tires.  That's the most common reflection of this idea
> on this list.  "What's wrong with this [under-rated]
> cheaper tire" than a nice [more expensive] 102 rated
> tire?
>
> Fighting Darwin in tiring.  Or tire-ing....  ;-)
>
> With tires, it is one failed stop--or one flat
> on a narrow road in Baja with a 12" dropoff on the side--
> is worth a LOT more than up-front costs--in hind-sight.
> With brakes, it is one failed stop is worth a LOT more
> than cheap overall costs--in hind-sight.
>
> Darwin favors those who lack the fore-sight to have hind-sight.
> You can quote me.
>
> Richard
>