I don't know how critical it is, but the one time I tried non-OEM brake
pads......
they squealed too much.......NTB replaced them with OEM pads 2 days
later, and no squeal....I have stuck with OEM pads ever since.
With regard to rotors, I have used non-OEM rotors with good results. Do
you have any idea if the rotors on you car are original? if they are,
they need to be replaced with your mileage. I think rotors last about
70-90k miles
A lot of shops will try and sell you rotors before you absolutely need
them....NTB (National Tire Brands...formerly NTW) will let you in the
shop while they work...ask them to measure the thickness of the
rotors...I do not know the tolerances, but someone on the list might.
Mike Savage
'89 405 Mi16 137k miles