I'm wrestling with this question, too. I lean toward the Jack Pads for looks, but protection, although slight, is provided by the bumperettes. Being of Scottish decent is a factor, too. I'll have to lay out another couple hundred bucks to make the switch. The money will be better spent on high-octane gas.
As for using the jack pads for what they were intended, forget it unless you want to carry around that humongous jack. A low-profile, light-weight scissors jack under the upright or control arm works fine. And my tire changes don't have to be done in seconds under racing conditions.
Guess what? I'm still undecided on which way to go because of LOOKS.
