How many k's from brake pads?

[Shortstuff]

I've had my front brake pads on the car for about 12000 kilometers. I checked them yesterday thinking that they would be about 50% worn at the most, and was really suprised to find them almost worn out.

I haven't been braking heavily, but most of my driving is in towns and i've done a few drives in hilly areas. In my old cars I used to get approximately 30000 miles from a set of front pads. They were manual, and a lot smaller than the VN but should there really be that much difference?

What sort of k's are other people getting from a set of front brake pads on an auto V6?

[88GreenVN]

Well I got 130,000km from the first set on my 88 wagon whilst living in Woomera. Lots of long trips. I'ts had 3 sets in the past 8 years and done a further 190,000km = around the 60,000km per set. approx.

[Shortstuff]

I might try some fast road pads and grooved discs to see if it helps at all. A set of Greenstuff pads I had in one car lasted ages.

[SlowVac]

It all depends on the drive style and what rotors and pads you have to get that much wear.
I've had ultimates with slotted/xdrill rotors (GM disc with aftermarket machining) did under 50-60k on the disc and the pads about 40k on ultimates and 20k on QFM with the VT setup.
My brother car has greenstuff on his car (not holden) and the pads are nealy worn out and done 20k with slotted rotors.

[dmitch]

depends how hard u brake.. and if u one of those people who likes 2 ride the brakes... should get newhere between 20-40k..

[holden#1]

from my experience, it goes like this...
the ultimate brake pad is one that is long lasting (real hard material) and also one that bites/grabs onto rotor well (soft material)
the cheaper pads tend to be soft, i've had cheap ones that grip quite well, in fact as good as expensive ones but they ware out very quickly (20,000kays!)

more expensive ones tend to be harder and last longer,(40,000kays+) the very expensive ones last longer and bite well too.

[bendez]

ultimate pads are harder but doesnt mean they last longer, when there harder theres more friction which means better braking resulting in the pads wearing out quicker.