Its a balance of buy cheap buy twice, and the severity of usage, which is people dependant.
Some people get 20k miles out of their oe kit, some manage less than 10k, so I bet those with the lesser type milage would be using theirs harder, and cheaper (at face value) parts would not last as long as OE even.
I had my 1st pad change at about 11k. I had OE pads fitted, as I was desperate - Saturday morning, pads worn to backing plates & was off on a 200 mile round trip! My local Seat specialist had a set in stock and could fit them in between services
(better than a 2 month wait at a main dealer!)
Anyway, at 18k new pads & discs needed. Wanted something a little stronger than the OE set up, so went for the "tried & tested" set up - Brembo grooved discs, Ferodo DS2500 pads & Motul fluid.
Bill fitted them for me coz I'm lazy and I might break a nail or sommat!
Been a bit sensible up until the last couple of days. Taken it easy & bedded them in for about 350 miles. Just "tested" them on a quiet bit of road and I have to agree with peoples comments - they're bloody awesome!!
One thing though... are they supposed to smoke?