Semi metallic is mostly used for HD applications, but often create more brake dust. While they have better stopping power (bite), they can sometimes take a while to warm up and are sometimes noisier than ceramics. Ceramics are low/no dust, but don't offer the bite a warmed up semi metallic does.
I am looking to upgrade my fronts on a 2015 High Altitude with the Power Stop Z26 kit. Like what I read comparing to their Z23 Daily Driver Upgrade kit. Yeah, the Patriot is not a performance vehicle, but... I do have a bit of a heavy foot (used to driving an '06 Hemi Daytona for 15+ years), and I do a lot of tollway driving daily back and forth to work. This includes speeds sometimes over 70 mph, and sometimes fully on the brakes to avoid idiots, sudden lane changers, or sudden accidents ahead. Sometimes, there is a lot of stop and go traffic. The tiny brakes (compared to my Daytona's) can get pretty toasty pretty quick. THAT is where a good drilled and slotted rotor helps you dissipate heat quicker, so your next stop(s) are more dependable. That, and a carbon fiber ceramic pad they use. Plus, the rotors are zinc plated. Driven year round in salty northern climate, so corrosion protection helps. That, and the hardware is stainless, along with the shims, also offering better corrosion resistance as well as heat dissipation. Carbon fiber pads also offer lower noise and less dust. For a couple hundred $ for the kit, I feel having the confidence that my brakes won't fade after a couple high speed sudden stops, or fade after 45 minutes of stop and go driving, is CHEAP piece of mind! Same applies to those of you who tow, or do a lot of hilly/mountain driving. Cost difference for an OEM set of discs, pads and hardware, versus these is peanuts!
