I look for ECE R-90 ratings. However, what you get is going to be a nicely dusting semi-metallic.

I'm not sure if ceramics can plausibly have the bite of a semi-metallic, so I accept the brake dust.

E.g.

More Information for POWER STOP ESP0814

 

Semi metallics work better cold, ceramics maintain performance at higher temps. If you're approximately observing the law, you're unlikely to notice a material difference between the two.

 

Comparing a set of ECE R90 pads with non-certified pads for the same application from the same manufacturer, the R90 pads were better made and/or detailed.

Interestingly, Akebono Euro Plus (or whatever they call them) pads are not ECE certified. I will give them that they last and they don't dust, but after using them on my NG900, I will stick with ECE R90 pads for my remaining Saabs. And they are easily available from RockAuto.

 

I found some Pagid pads:

More Information for HELLA / PAGID 355042041

They appear to be FG rated.

 

I found some Pagid pads:

More Information for HELLA / PAGID 355042041

They appear to be FG rated.

Yeah, those were exactly the ones I ordered by mistake for my 9-5. Note that they do not have the ECE R90 certification! As I recall, made in India.

Not worth doing an exchange, I passed them on to a Saab shop in return for some Saab parts and ordered these:

More Information for HELLA / PAGID 355008141

Note the ECE R90. Made somewhere in the EU, Slovakia maybe?

The ECE pads had better detailing, more careful chamfering, etc.

 

To add, they work fine, but my wheels turned black!

 

I used to use the stock Pagid semi-metallic. Stopped great, lots of dust. No idea what they were rated.

 

They were rated stop a Saab at multiple track days reliably.

 

I found these, which look very good:

More Information for RAYBESTOS EHT819H

RAYBESTOS EHT819H.

Strangely they fit 9-5s from 200-2005, but no mention of fitting 9-3s OGs.

 

Shipping is cheap for you. Why not try it out?

I do find it a little hard to believe that there is a magic new formulation, but maybe it's true. Created by ChatGPT perhaps?