[sfesenko]

Hello to all Alfaholics!
It's time to change front pads on my 1991 164B.
Can someone give an advice about:

1. Where I can get the most inexpensive front brake pads. I would like to order them on internet. I will change them myself to save money, so the price aspect is crucial (I am just a poor student).
2.Due to the fact that this item is not available in Car Parts stores, I was wondering may be there are substitutes from other cars (like Saab for example).
3.I have about 3-4 different brake pads and it could have happened that I already have them. Do someone have a picture of the front brake pads, so I can compare.

Thanks for reading it and thanks for your advice.
Respectfully,
Serge

 

[AlfaTango1]

I just did a ten second internet search and found a set for $15.95 @ Kragen auto.com. You probably won't get them any cheaper than that. I have a set of Lucas pads I may be willing to sell cheap, here's the pics.

 

[sfesenko]

I am interested in your pads. How much? Is pay pal OK?
I don't have break pads like this for sure.

 

[AlfaTango1]

I don't remember what I paid for them, I bought them a few years ago on Ebay England. I'll sell both front and back for $40.00 plus shipping.

 

[sfesenko]

But, I don't need back ones!
How much the only front ones are going to cost?

 

[AlfaTango1]

I kind of want to sell them as a set, so it may just be better ordering from Rock Auto or Kragen.com. Rock Auto has about ten or twelve sets listed and Kragen maybe seven.

 

[sfesenko]

I went to the site you gave me and the cheapest ones are more than $35.
Is it possible for you to give me the link?
Thank you.

 

[AlfaTango1]

Yeah you're right, they list rears first. Sorry about that.

 

[sfesenko]

AlfaTango1, I understand that we are not on marketplace, but we are talking about Italian car, so we assume we are in Italy and Italians like to bargain (thats what I have noticed when I was there). How about $40 for your front and rear including shipping (priority flat rate is around $5)? Sorry, for that, but when you are in college, every dollar matters. If yes, give me your pay pal address and I will send money immediately.

 

[jontg428]

I would not bargain them down anymore, thats a good price. Also a good way to make enemies on the BB unless they are cool with it. Consider the full cost being a good Samaritan as use of the BB more then pays for itself. Just my .02 cents

 

[sfesenko]

“Of mankind we may say in general they are fickle, hypocritical, and greedy of gain.”
Niccolo Machiavelli

AXXIS DELUXE BRAKE PAD SET

 

[AlfaTango1]

There you go, you found some cheap pads. Not Lucas, but I'm sure they'll stop you. Now to dust off my copy of "The Prince" and see the context of your insult.

 

[Del]

Well, are we sure all the different pads for various prices are of the same quality? A lot of thought and testing goes into the pad material formulation.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

Well, are we sure all the different pads for various prices are of the same quality? A lot of thought and testing goes into the pad material formulation.

I would have to say no on that Del. Just like anything else cheap, they don't do the job as well as a premium product and the consumer ends up having to purchase the same item over and over due to low quality. Although the pad is $15-20 per set, you will have less braking performance, more dust, and the pad will wear much faster as well as eat at the rotor more than a premium pad. So all in all your saving a few bucks but in the long run spending more.
The lowest price pad I would ever offer is $89 per set. But then again I have had them on for about 3 years, no dust at all, and rotors are barely worn not to mention fantastic stopping. These inexpensive pads may stop you but under extreme situations where the rotor heats up more, the pad will show it's true colors.

Spend money on pads! Better in the long run. Just my 2 cents!

 

[AlfaTango1]

Exactly, I for one would not put a $7.25 pad on a car I was driving. I know the kevlar/ceramic Axxis UTX pads are good but cost quite a bit. The $29.00 set listed above would cause me concern. I always say when your car doesn't start that's bad but when it doesn't stop that's REAL bad.

 

[peglegtom]

I agree with Jason!

There are two things I will not skimp on with my cars, tires and brakes. These are the two items that can save your bacon in an emergency! It doesn't matter if the car is worth $200K or $200, it's your life you're talking about. How much did you save if your "cheap" pads meant you required an additional 10 feet to stop, but you only had five?

Buy good pads, even if it means you have to skimp somewhere else!

 

[sfesenko]

How about these semi-metallic ones:
Brake Performance - Brake Pads

 

[Ted 168]

brake pads

I also agree with the others. I use only brand name brake pads such as Ferodo, Mintex, Axxis etc, and I buy only from reputable supplier. International Auto has some reasonable priced oem spec pads.
I think we all found from our experience that the 164 is not a cheap car to maintain. While you can probabley find a good used 164 for a low price, the preventive maintenance is going cost you. Things like changing the timing belt, tensioner, control arms etc absolutely needs to be done at defined intervals. Skimp on these and your car will take revenge on you! No offence intended but if your budget for a set of front pads is under $50, you may find it growingly difficult to keep your 164 in running (or safe) condition.

 

[Alfissimo Int.]

How about these semi-metallic ones:
Brake Performance - Brake Pads

No name brand, no real pictures of the product which tells me they may not even stock it. Probably not very good either. Minute amounts of metal in there and larger particles will not be as good and they can call it metallic. Mostly organic and will not handle the heat that the 164 brakes put out. Don't forget this car weights 3300lbs

I have some inexpensive pads like AXXIS for around $58 for front set and $39 for rears.
Good metallic pad.
Let me know?
Jason