Ok - So after searching though all these threads on pad replacement options I'm leaning toward the Hawk HPS/HP+ or Carbotech Bobcats. Maybe I'm getting too wrapped up in the tech details( MOT's, mu's etc ) but are the HPS's or Bobcats really any better than the stock Brembo pads?

"20-40% improvement in stopping power compared to most standard replacement pads" may be true for oem impreza pads, but I'm sure the stock brembos do not fall in the "standard" category.

So, does anyone know the MOT's/mu's of the stock Brembo pads so I can compare the values to something I know?

And really, do the values really even matter that much for a BBK? Does a MOT of 752F for the HPS's mean brake fade on aggressive summer mountain drives, but the higher MOT of 932F for the bobcats mean no bite in winter?

Even anecdotal info would help: "My car stopped a shizload better w/ HPS than stock brembos in every condition!"

Realistically, I've been pretty happy with the stock pads - they've lasted > 50k, are quiet, have served me well in competitive rally-x, for fun auto-x, and aggressive mountain drives. I've only felt fade once in this time (summer) and have never felt loss of initial bite in mountain snow. But I can't justify the cost of factory replacements given the lower cost aftermarket options out there - especially if they truly perform "better than" or even as well as stock brembo's!

So can anyone help me get out of the tech mire I'm in?
THANKS!!