Your thoughts- ceramic vs. semi metallic brake pads

[resq302]

Its coming time for me to replace the brakes on my wifes 2005 explorer limited and my 2005 Ford F150 FX4.  The last time I changed out the pads, I used semi-metallics and noticing the price has come down quite a bit for the ceramic version, I am contemplating getting them.  What are the pros and cons of both?  Does both last about the same mileage?  Does the ceramic eat away more at the rotors than semi-metallics?  What about better stopping distance between the two?

[RD]

ceramic (in most cases) are not fully ceramic, but have ceramic material ALONG with semi-metallic material.  they are designed to reduce brake noise and lower the amount of brake residue on rims, due to most rims being produced today being aluminum.  Brake residue will cause the aluminum rim to prematurely corrode.

semi-metallic brake pads offer superior stopping power, so if towing or hauling stuff is a big thing, semi-metallics are the way to go.  they do increase wear on the rotor, but the amount of wear is based upon usage of the vehicle and MAINLY driving habits of the primary driver.

between both...

ceramics for aluminum rims and light duty hauling

semi-metallics for any rim with heavy duty hauling or towing.

NOW.. with that being said...

There are different brands of semi-metallic pads out there (from O'Reillys):

base model.. meets OE specs (Value) 1 year warranty
lifetime warranty (against manufacturer defect) meets or exceeds OE specs (Brakebest)
LT warranty with sound deadening material (usually riveted to the pad) exceeds OE specs (Brakebest Select)
LT warranty with sound deadening material bonded to the pad and laser edge cutting of pads to decrease vibrations and premature wear; exceeds OE specs (Wagner Thermoquiets)

ceramic:
brakebest ceramic (similar to semi-metallic brakebest)
brakebest ceramic select (similar to SM brakebest select)

there is a brand called Performance Friction (made by wagner), and they are carbon semi-metallic, but they are just a hair better than thermoquiet's.

hope this helps.

[Silver R/T]

There's many new compounds, newest one probably being ferro carbon compound. Hawk Performance HPS pads are one of highest quality and I would suggest them to anyone.