Mechanic says my pads are fine, but the squeels from the front right brake have finally annoyed me enough to just change out the pads...Looking for opinions on what pads perform the best for the xj8. thanks

EBC redstuff or Wagner thermo quiet ;-)

Mintex.

Any chance you guys know the part number ill need?

akebono euro ceramics FTW

I've installed a lot of pads over the years, and I prefer the EBC Red Stuff pads on my personal car (XJR). I was able to find them on Amazon at a very reasonable price.

Factory for me, Ferodo or Pagid depending on the calipers. Brakes are one of the most important things to me.

I've read somewhere that the EBC pads are harder on the oem discs, leading to premature lifespan. although they cut down dust.

The Ate standard X308 calipers like Pagid Blue, DS2500 this compound is very very good.

9 months ago, we replaced all of the brake disks and pads on our 2001 XJ8. We are very happy with our choices. Brakes are strong, quiet and very little white brake dust.
The front and rear brakes pads are Akebono Euro-Ceramic.
The brake disks are Brembo.
Ordered all the brake disks and pads from AutoPartsWarehouse.com
Here are the website links to these brake pads:
Front brake pads (total of $95.95)
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...n+%26+Steering

Rear (total of $63.76)
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...n+%26+Steering

Website links to Brembo brake disks:
Front ($158.95 for set of 2)
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...n+%26+Steering
Rear ($76.95 ea, total for 2 $153.90)
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...n+%26+Steering

I hope this helps you and your mechanic to decide.

I have these same brands of brake disks and pads on my 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup for the last 3 years with no problems.

Advance Auto Parts ceramic pads. $45.

Tight Wad Tom

I just checked the Advance Auto Parts website. They only sell the front ceramic brake pads (brand is Wearever) and they do fit 2002 XKR, but none are listed that fit 2001 XJ8. The price on the website is now $39.99. You need to add the shipping to your home $9 plus change plus any state sales tax, if your local store is out of stock.

Hi Tight Wad Tom
What brake pad do you have on your rear brakes?

More information on autopartswarehouse.com
The Akebono ceramic brake pads for 2001 XJ8 on this website have free shipping to your home with no sales tax and they are available for the front and rear brakes. Front pads are now $85.03 and rear pads are $63.76.
I do not have any relationship with autopartswarehouse.com other than my own personal buying of brake disk and pads for our XJ8 and these are only parts I have purchased there so far.

I was buying the same brake pads previously on the tirerack.com website. Their delivered price for front and rear brakes pads with sales tax now is $183.85. A difference of $35.06 higher cost.

Akebono's are great pads, the shops around here hate them because the car never comes back

EBC's stop quicker though.