Why British Pacific stocks 5 different brands of brakes for
Land Rovers and Range Rovers

So, why does BP carry 5 different brands of brake pads, when other places sell one or two? Well, we've found that different customers have different requirements. Here's an explanation of why we carry each brand, and this holds up for all models.

Genuine Land Rover parts

First are the Genuine Land Rover pads. We don't carry them for all models, but in some applications these are a good value. Naturally Land Rover doesn't make their own pads; these are usually Lockheed/ Delphi or TRW/Lucas. However, in some cases these end up being a little cheaper than the same pad directly from the OEM source, when that's the case that's what we stock.    They are high quality pads with good wear characteristics, and we recommend them for use with our slotted and drilled high performance rotors.

The other reason we carry Genuine is that when a new model comes out, Genuine pads are the only ones available.   Through contract to Land Rover,  the OEM supplier agrees not to market them under their (or anyone else's) name until Land Rover says it's ok. You very seldom see aftermarket or OEM brands for at least one year and often two years after a new model comes out.

Lockheed/Delphi   'OEM source'

Lockheed/Delphi is the manufacturer for most Genuine Land Rover brake pads and will often offer the same pads under their own name for a lower price than  Land Rover sells the identical pads for.  We offer these 'OEM' sets, for those customers who insist on original quality replacements but do not want to pay extra for the Genuine Land Rover box.  They are high quality pads with good wear characteristics, and we recommend them for use with our slotted and drilled high performance rotors.

Lockheed was the first manufacturer of hydraulic brakes back in the 1920's, and were an original equipment manufacturer for just about all British cars made since the 1940's. 'Delphi' is a spin-off of AC-Delco, one of the largest original equipment parts suppliers in the world. The brand is the standard for quality.   These are the same as Land Rover packaged pads, since they are the people who originally made them for your vehicle. Depending on the model, that is: for the Land Rover Discovery II for example the original pad is TRW/Lucas.   For some Land Rover models we also offer Genuine, depending on which is cheaper.

TRW/Lucas   'OEM source'

TRW/Lucas is the original equipment manufacturer for some Land Rover models including the Land Rover Discovery II and will often offer the same pads under their own name for a lower price than  Land Rover sells the identical pads for. We offer these 'OEM' sets, for those customers who insist on original quality replacements but do not want to pay extra for the Genuine Land Rover box.  They are high quality pads with good wear characteristics, and we recommend them for use with our slotted and drilled high performance rotors.

TRW/Lucas started out as Girling.  Girling is credited for the first mass produced disc brake system, which was used on the 1957 Triumph TR3.   Girling brake systems were were the standard of quality that were used on virtually all British car models. Girling was purchased by Lucas, who in turn has been purchased by TRW to become TRW/Lucas.  TRW/Lucas should not be confused with parts labeled with just the 'Lucas' trade name. The 'Lucas' trade name has been licensed to many manufacturers, some good, some not so good.

Ferodo

Our shop customers often specify Ferodo: it's important to them that the customer not bring their vehicle back because of brake squeal or rapid wear since warranty work can be expensive.  We consider these to be the best upgrade over stock. Some suppliers sell a high density pad, usually made with Kevlar or other synthetics: these do not work well on standard use vehicles since they require a lot of heat to actuate correctly. For the best wear and stopping distance without excessive dust or noise, these are very tough to beat.

Founded in England in 1897, Ferodo was the first company in the world to be entirely dedicated to the design and manufacture of friction products. Ferodo products are specified by the world's leading vehicle and car manufacturers and are used by many of the top names in motorsports. Ferodo UK is part of Federal-Mogul Aftermarket UK Limited, a subsidiary of the multi billion dollar automotive group Federal-Mogul.

Mintex

These are a softer pad compound, and the ones we recommend to people who are simply replacing the pads and not the rotors. They conform more readily to the uneven surfaces of used rotors, and don't generate excessive heat in the process. They are also the best value, and the brand we usually use on our own vehicles.

In the brake business since 1908, Mintex are now made by TMD Friction, based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, England. The technology used to manufacture Mintex brake pads are developed in-house and they produce a range of approximately 1100 brake pads, covering all European, Japanese and American applications.

Allmakes

Allmakes, our premiere parts supplier, are also now marketing pads under their own trade name. Allmakes is very fussy about product quality, and they will always go the better part rather than the cheapest one. These are usually Mintex manufactured pads and hold up very well: they are a great value.

So, that leaves all the other brands out there: why don't we carry those instead?

There are a number of other brands on the market. Some folks repackage one of the above brands in their own name, and in some cases a recognized name is used on an inferior pad. In some cases 'heavy duty' pads use compounds that are too aggressive for Rover rotors.

One instance of a less desirable pad is branded as 'Lucas' (a trade name which has been scattered to the four winds: some are good, some are not and should not be confused with TRW/Lucas) has a high metallic compound, and not only does it eat rotors, it squeals.   Another is EBC: while these work great on Japanese tuner cars, the excessive pedal effort required on Land Rovers have forced some folks to switch pads back long before they have worn out.

Our pad selection is based not only on price, but how they hold up in service. No one likes an unhappy customer, and our brands have sold in the tens of thousands. There's no better record of service than customers who come back for the same brands day after day, and BP's selection assures that you get just what you need at a great price.

BP stocks all major brake components for all US models
since 1958-current.