Brake pad replacement

I used ceramic brake pads last time. Are they the best?
The warning light just went on. I read in some threads that that gives you several thousand miles before you need to replace the brake pads.
I will do the job this weekend (of course) but ..is that true?
I also read that you can lay a bead of solder on the old brake pad sensor and it will work fine.
Is that true?

That is a pretty open ended question. There are tons of pads on the market pushed on the public using key words like ceramic. Ceramic pads by who and for what application? Pads from autozone? no thanks. Pagid, Performance Friction, Hawk all make premium pads for diferent applications from street to hardcore track. All pads are some compromise between rotor wear, noise, cold/hot performance.

For 99% of people a basic pad that meets oe specs is more than enough. The brakes on the car are overengineered for US driving speeds. You do not need special pads for braking performance sake. You may want quiet, dust free pads though. I don't have a specific reccomendation, I am sure others will chime in.

Originally Posted by Larrick

I used ceramic brake pads last time. Are they the best?
The warning light just went on. I read in some threads that that gives you several thousand miles before you need to replace the brake pads.
I will do the job this weekend (of course) but ..is that true?
I also read that you can lay a bead of solder on the old brake pad sensor and it will work fine.
Is that true?

Sir, have you checked your brake rotors as well ? They may be due for replacement too. The Bentley manual has specs on thickness, as a guide.

They looked good the last time I changed the pads. I will not see the car until next Saturday. The brake warning light supposedly comes on with 3mm left out of an original 8mm so I am hoping that no warping from heat or scoring from worn out pads has occurred.
What about the soldering of the brake pad sensor?

Don't know if soldering the sensor will work, but they aren't very expensive, even at the dealer.

You could try the soldering technique and let us know if it works.

7mm Alan key, rubber grease and anti seize. Soldering should work, +1 on giving a result