I'm ordering front and rear brake pads and rotors for my '96 964. I have never replaced the pads on the car before. The first replacement was done by the dealer. The listings that I find show brake pads without shims, and a separate listing for the shims. Do I need new shims? Is it something that can only be determined by visual inspection? Also, is there anything I need to know regarding the rotor replacement?

If you don't want squealing brakes you will need to order the shims. They go on the inboard side of the front pads, can't remeber if it's the front or rear half right now. The old pads should have the shims on them, just replace the new pads with the new shims in the same orientation.

Rotor replacement is a snap on these cars.

DEWFPO
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1998 S90 068,300 and 1995 964 152,300

I would consider the volvo pads, because the aftermarket pads don't fit well and the shims that come with them aren't a very good fit either. There's not many aftermarket pads available for this car anyway, so shop for a set from a place like www.swedishengineering.com who will give you a good price on Volvo pads.
I put the Brembo OEM replacement rotors on my 960 and have had very good luck and 1/2 the price of Volvo discs.
I would however, say that the Volvo pads and disc combination give better stopping than the Brembo's and Volvo pads. Volvo discs are engineered to wear at the same or similar rate as the pads, and do stop better. Brembo's are harder, and will last longer.
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'89 245 Sportwagon, '96 960 sedan