Within 10k I am going to replace the brakes on my 97 Park ave. Discs ABS x4.
I asked the mechanic and he recommends not using drilled or slots.
I thought of Napa Premium Rotors and Adaptive One pads (ceramic)
Experiences on these buicks and what pads / rotors are best info appreciated!

I just change the front pads and rotors on my 96 PA, I went with AC Delco rotors, and Raesbetos Premium Ceramic pads, I found mine on Amazon a lot cheaper than any of the auto parts stores.

I heard a lot of Napa'* Rotors are made in China, not sure how good they are though.
I'm picky about what goes on my car though...

I put Wagner rotors and pads (ceramic) not too long ago and they work great. Picked them up dirt cheap (compared to auto store prices) on RockAuto.com

What was the stock FSM braking recommendations re pads Ceramic? & not slotted?
I like also low brake dust as well. I know the Napa Adaptive one are no dust....
William how much did you pay for the Delco Rotors each?

I do not have a FSM yet, I have an AllData subscription, and for my front rotors they list 18021797 as a OEM part #, I cannot find out what brand that was, but I am pretty sure if was AC Delco or Delphi.
The rotors on the front of your '97 are going to be the same as my 96', so here are the ones I got.
Made for either front left, or front right, some cheap rotors are so bad new they need to be turned before putting them on, to true them up, but mine were almost perfect out of the box, so I decided to skip getting them trued up.

I do not have rotors for my back brakes, but yours should be a bit smaller and cheaper than the front ones.

Figure 160.00 for all four rotors, not bad considering they are quality rotors, in noise dampening iron.


As for break pads, I like the Raybestos, but just noticed some Wagner breaks that look pretty good.


FRONT Raybestos

Better FRONT Raybestos



REAR Raybestos


If you DIY it be sure all caliper pins are greased, and that they all slide freely as they should.
Overall for the better pads and rotors you will spend about 250.00, but you should have nice quiet brakes that make very little break dust.


I am not a break expert, but I agree with your mechanics recommendation to not use cross drilled rotors, you lose a bit of breaking material, all for the sake of cooling, if you had a super charged modded Grand Am or something and raced, then I could see getting cross drilled, as most likely that car would not be your daily driver...

Forgot to post links to the Wagner'* in case you want to go with them, I'd imagine you'd save a few bucks, and get about the same quality breaks.
Also see i cannot spell breaks right, if only I could edit my post and fix the typos, oh well...


FRONT BRAKE


REAR BRAKE

Thanks for all those links. Not sure part #* would be same as...
In 1997 the Park Ave received a higher-capacity four-wheel disc braking system. According to Edmunds:http://www.edmunds.com/buick/park-avenue/1997/
Will have to do my homework here now Thanks!!
At those Amazon prices, Delco Rotors are reasonable!

I myself DO recommend slotted rotors and ceramic pads. You'll have less heat, and more brakes!

My mechanic stated that some pads were "catching" on the slots and tearing themselves and causing premature failure of the pads.

I went to Rock auto'* website and checked to see what they had listed for your car, and those part numbers were listed as replacements.


Do you recommend slotted and cross drilled, because I was talking about those that are both, I guess I should have clarified that.
Not that I know much about brakes, I have heard though that slotted are great to use for a Daily Driver but not so much slotted and cross drilled.
I could be wrongs though, as I have only read of this, I have no real experience with them.

Do you know of any good info to read up on using slotted vs regular rotors for normal daily driving?


That could be possible, I did just read that a lot of places won't even attempt to turn cross drilled rotors because the holes can break lathe bits.