Without Remorse said:
Drum Brakes whilst not as good as disc are better suited for heavy applications.
As they have a larger surface area in linings and drum area.
But I was referring to passenger cars, not commercial trucks.
Most motor vehicles have a 60/40 bias in braking towards the front.
Front drive cars do. Rear drive is more 50/50, and AWD cars vary it, but it is generally more toward 55/45.
If maintained correctly drum brakes cause no more hassles than disc brakes.
It is not so much maintenance that is the issue, it is installation. Also, from a ABS standpoint, it makes more sense to have discs all the way around.
Unfortunately with the banning of asbestos in all brake and clutch applications in most countries the average life time of pads and shoes has decreased.
My father, and myself, always recommend semi-metallic. And I do not know what brands are available in other countries, but Bendix brand, or OEM Bendix brands, seem about the best overall, but are a bit more expensive.