Hey, I have a 99 Protege DX. I was wondering what brake pads you guys would suggest to use. My car has 71,000 miles on the original brake pads. Needless to say, it is due for a set. The factory pads have been really good and have never made a noise or caused any problems, so I was thinking that I may go back with Mazda pads. If you would give me some ideas, that would be great.
Thanks,
Barry

 

If you were happy with the stock pads, I would say stick with those. If you want more performance from the braking system, there are many different pads available. Hawk, Porterfield, CarboTech, and EBC are good, well known, brands. You could also look into stainless steel brake lines, which provide a firmer, more responsive, brake pedal for relative low cost. Another option open to you as a DX model owner is upgrading to the ES models larger 258mm (~10.2") diameter rotors. This would require switching to the ES calipers also, but the front calipers shouldn't be very expensive, especially if you can find them used.

 

Don't quote me, check for your self...the Gen 2 Protege shares the same calipers as the Gen 3 with bigger rotors. Is this true? Anyone know for sure?

 

If you want to increase performance, I would start by swapping the ES front brakes. AFAIK nobody makes performance pads for the smaller DX/LX brakes.

FWIW

 

Why doesnt he just send them to you, you will turn them into F1 Indy class brakes as you say the proteges brakes are.

 

No, they don't share the same calipers or rotors.

 

How did you go 71K on your original brake pads? I went to ~33K and had them changed.

 

I think you might want to have a look at the rotors as well. Even for highway driving that is alot of mileage for one set of pads. Your rotors might be fine but if not, you will ruin your new set of pads. Especially in the front.

 

Yeah, All of my driving is highway driving. Thats why they lasted so long.

Barry

 

That could be a factor, since I do 100% stop and go city driving.