I would like to share my recent experience with sourcing pads for an S1.
I started with this thread and quickly found the Bendix codes of 1398 for front and 1144 for rear. Then I realised that info was 3 years old so trawled through 14 pages to find some more recent info. I came across the comments about the 1398s apparently not being made anymore and the 1144s hard to find also! I started to worry and got a bit confused as to what everyone was using on their cars if this was really the case!? Fortunately it wasn't that bad. Here is what i found:
Bursons - no listing of the 1398 or the 1144 in their book. They called Bendix and said they could get me a set of DP1398 (Bendix Advance) not 1398BP, for $70. However, the 1144s were not available, and Bendix were going to make a set for me! $80, plus a wait of about 4 weeks.
Repco - (this is where it get's interesting) Again no book listing for 1398, but when I said 1398BP they found them on their system - but had none in any of their stores, would have to get from Bendix, cost $135! The 1144s they found OK on their system, and they actually had a set in another store - cost $98. I then mentioned the word 'B' word (Burson's) and this seemed to really fire up the Repco boy (a few mumbled 'F' words amongst the 'B' word). I mentioned $80 plus the RACV discount, and before I knew it they were offering the 1144s for $65! (There sure is some rivalry between these two stores). So, not quite $60 deal that FelixTRX got, but a damn site better than the $98 they offered up initially.
In summary DP1398 - Bursons, $70 (plus RACV member discount), DP1144 - Repco, $65. All up $135.
Incidentally, I also did a search on Yahoo Auctions and found that complete set of pads (front AND back) where selling for around 10,000yen (eg) WedsSport Revspec) - around A$150 with the current exchange rate - add to that the cost of postage and all of a sudden $135 for local pads for an import car seems pretty good!
Anyway, hope this post helps others source and find the best price for their pads. Maybe a few more regular posts, with price and availability, would help us all rest a bit better knowing that we can still continue to stop our wagon in the future!?