talking to autohouaz.com about availability of Volvo OEM front break pads for wife's 96 965. fella at autohouaz sent me following response:

"We have not been able to get OEM pads for very many Volvos lately,
however we do stock Mintex for most models. Mintex uses the OEM
braking surface compound on their pads giving them an OEM type performance"


should I get OEM or are Mintex pads ok? going to use brembo rotors.

--
1996 965 125K

Funny, I just asked autohausaz the same question a few days ago and received the same reply. I'm personally using Mintex red box pads and am not satisfied with their performance as compared to Volvo OEM. They just don't grab as well, especially when pads are cold. Also they were supposed to leave a lot less dust but feel they dust just as much. I'll be ordering the OEM pads from another supplier. Too bad cause Autohaus has great prices and SERVICE!

Good Luck!

95' 964 165k

Mintex is fine. Volvo used different suppliers at differnt times for OEM pads -- and Mintex was one of them. That's not to say that the Mintex pads you buy now are the exact same formula as OEM (they may or may not be). In fact, OEM Volvo pads that you buy today might not be the same as the ones that came on the car.

The key with brake is to buy quality parts. Mintex and Brembo are excellent manufacturers and will give you excellent performance.

Jeff Pierce
--
'93 945 Turbo (201K miles), '93 945 (140K miles/I maintain for a family member), '93 945 Turbo (sold w 145K miles), '92 Mercedes 190E (174K miles), '85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (225K miles), '53 Willys Overland w/ Fisher plow (sold to a loving home)