!!First Brake pad change on 08 Grand Prix! Do I go with aftermarket pads or OEM???

**mcdavidhome** · 10-24-2013

Hello my fellow Grand Prix enthusiasts. I am coming up on my first brake pad change on my 08 Pontiac grand prix 3.8 litre v6 with 46,000 miles. Some mechanics tell me to stick with the OEM pads because they last a lot longer than the aftermarket ones, while others say go with aftermarket because they are cheaper and offer the same level of quality... This is not my area of expertise so I will ask the experts here at Grand Prix Forum what do you all think about this debatable topic??

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 10-24-2013

Buying the actual OEM pads from a dealer might cost you alot of money, but they arent bad pads.

I would actually go out and buy some "Adaptive one" pads from napa. They are great pads, very very low dusting, no noise and will last the same distance if not longer than the OEM pads. The shop I work at uses these pads as standard and we never have complaints on any vehicle.

**mcdavidhome** · 10-24-2013

Ok great! Thanks for the info.. I have also heard from several mechanics that aftermarket parts in general that come from NAPA are much better than other part stores like Autozone, Advance auto parts, etc...

**Thompsju** · 10-24-2013

I believe NAPA carries a better selection than the others.

If you're not in a big hurry to get them, do a title looking around on rockauto.

Don't go anything less than ceramic tho.

**mcdavidhome** · 10-24-2013

Ok thanks. Fortunately, I don't need them right now I can easily make it into the new year. But I will make sure they are ceramic though.

**02NavyBlue** · 10-24-2013

I agree about NAPA carrying better products than the other auto parts stores we know. The napa "brand" seems to always be the best quality out there in the retail area. Their filters are always comparable to wix(well known and high qulity filters), their brakes have a great reputation, I know people on this forum will tell you to go with their brand of CV axles because all other parts stores are known to fail, while the napa brand lasts. Plus the guys there always seem to know what they're talking about. They know part numbers without even looking it up sometimes lol.

**Thompsju** · 10-24-2013

If you've got the time, rockauto, if you find what you like, pull the part number and drop it into amazon or eBay.

Free shipping ftw.

**02NavyBlue** · 10-24-2013

Story of my life ^ lol

Generally amazon or ebay will be cheaper with shipping included, but once in a while rockauto will be cheaper than the others even with shipping. In that case rockauto wins, but its amazon more often than not.

**Thompsju** · 10-24-2013

I find the only real way you save any money with Rock Auto is big orders out of the same warehouse.

Plus, NAPA now gives me the "mechanic's discount" on parts. So next time you're in there, tell them you're on account #997... I think... If that's not it, just follow up with "ugh, I can never remember the mechanics account number".

60% of the time it works every time.

**02NavyBlue** · 10-24-2013

Originally Posted by Thompsju

60% of the time it works every time.

Nice little phrase there

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 10-24-2013

Originally Posted by Thompsju

I find the only real way you save any money with Rock Auto is big orders out of the same warehouse.

Plus, NAPA now gives me the "mechanic's discount" on parts. So next time you're in there, tell them you're on account #997... I think... If that's not it, just follow up with "ugh, I can never remember the mechanics account number".

60% of the time it works every time.

Doubtful that it will work as it will then see that its from MN and not his state, and what if his store is a private owner.

I worked at napa for a year and I could only get my discount through the "cottens napa", the napa in a few towns over was not a private owned store so I couldnt get it there. Same with my works discount.