Opinions on rotor brands

[Jacko 2154]

I came across a big table awhile back that listed common pads/rotors and the compatibility between them, it was in german and done by some science guy... and now I cant find it.

Was to do with the crystalline structure of the rotor, and combined with hard pad materials, resulted in poor transfer of the pad material into the rotors pores if that structure was particularly dense. 

 

I think Glenns point is that he only recommends ATE + ATE, as its guaranteed to work, anything else and its luck. 

[B.M.W Ltd 950]

I said may not be compatible... mix & match at your own peril. Something we don't do in trade unless we know of a good, proven mix. And I have never ever heard of the particular Bosch series pad. Keep in mind... may fit and work to a degree but not suitable or fit for use in normal everyday road use on NZ roads

[limepanda 13]

1 minute ago, B.M.W Ltd said:

 but not suitable or fit for use in normal everyday road use on NZ roads

Do you have any evidence whatsoever to back that up? If not what are you basing that statement on? 

 

3 minutes ago, B.M.W Ltd said:

And I have never ever heard of the particular Bosch series pad.

It's a very well selling highly rated pad that has been well reviewed. Much safer bet than most brands in NZ imo. 

[B.M.W Ltd 950]

5 minutes ago, limepanda said:

Do you have any evidence whatsoever to back that up? If not what are you basing that statement on? 

54 years in the motor trade and owning my own business since 1986.. I retired last year. Ask Chris about his experience (Jacko) with "Brembo" labeled brake parts 

 

It's a very well selling highly rated pad that has been well reviewed. Much safer bet than most brands in NZ imo. 

I'm not aware or have I ever used that brand of pad and I am aware of the Bosch brand. My concern is an unproven mix of different brands that are not matched by either manufacturer. The mixture could be a problem and I'm not saying it is, I'm saying it could be and the whole exercise would be a waste of money. Your choice though

 

Edited August 27, 2019 by B.M.W Ltd

[limepanda 13]

42 minutes ago, B.M.W Ltd said:

54 years in the motor trade and owning my own business since 1986.. I retired last year. Ask Chris about his experience (Jacko) with "Brembo" labeled brake parts 

I'm not questioning your credentials, I'm asking what you're basing that statement on. 

 

42 minutes ago, B.M.W Ltd said:

I'm not aware or have I ever used that brand of pad and I am aware of the Bosch brand.

Well it's not widely available here so it doesn't surprise me that you haven't heard of it. 

 

42 minutes ago, B.M.W Ltd said:

My concern is an unproven mix of different brands that are not matched by either manufacturer.

The rotors are ATE and ECE R90 so they should be very close to OE, the pads from what I understand use an OE supplier compound, and Bosch is very strict about supplier arrangements. Putting those together should be pretty darn safe, in fact it might even be identical to genuine parts at 1/4 the price. A few of the well regarded e90 techs in the states like these pads and use them with all OEM rotors.

 

Again I ask why you believe NZ road conditions are so vastly different to the US that parts will not be suitable for both countries? 

Edited August 27, 2019 by limepanda

[Gaz 1060]

1 hour ago, limepanda said:

 

 

Again I ask why you believe NZ road conditions are so vastly different to the US that parts will not be suitable for both countries? 

They have a very different climate and different chemicals react differently in different conditions. This is why manufacturers recommend different engine oil depending on your climate

[limepanda 13]

They have a much wider variety of temps for sure, but NZ's climate is somewhere in the middle of the US's range. If something is good for the US I don't see why it wouldn't be good here unless it's specialist cold weather equipment. But I take your point. 

[zero 1162]

4 hours ago, M3AN said:

After reading the article I still can't establish why you think ATE rotors are incompatible with his chosen pads?

Is there something you and Nathan know that we don't?

 

Glenn has a huge amount of real world industry experience.

He's never steered me wrong and I value his knowledge.

[M3AN 4016]

Well I have to agree with Eli and others here, this seems like a false calamity.

Of course we all know that you can screw up your rotor/pad selection but we're all also smart enough to recognise that a generic brand name rotor will work with a generic brand name pad if they're not subject to unreasonable conditions.

This is (edit: has become) a silly discussion.

 

 

Edited August 27, 2019 by M3AN

[Allanw 1071]

FWIW, our two same model VWs have different brake pads specified for USA/Japan compared to the rest of the world - different PR codes and different pad part numbers.

Hers is jap import, mine NZ new (ROW).

I used the rest of world pads in her car, and the braking is far more positive - I suspect the major differences are the dust level and the poor "bite" of the original Jap spec ones that were in my wifes car are a consequence of that. The pads are physically the same size and fitment, but clearly different compounds. I didn't replace or machine her discs, but the brakes are a totally different feel - it used to be hard to stop when in reverse on a cold start with the reduced vacuum assist. Now it's fine, far less pedal effort....

... and more dust

[limepanda 13]

Thought I'd pop back in to say the ATE rotors are great, and the price from the states just can't be beat by anything local. Cheap as chips. Zimmerman are available too, along with a few other brands. The Bosch pads are 100% ok to use with the rotors, and they are excellent for the price. Slightly less initial bite than what I was running previously, but 1/3rd the price. Total cost $380 for quality rotors, pads, wear sensor, and shipping from the states. Awesome. Most places locally (and I got in touch with quite a few) wanted close to that per side for just the rotor lol.

[coop 261]

Who are you using for pads/rotors and shipping? 

Ive looked at buying rotors and pads from the likes of FCPeuro/pelican parts/rock auto and shipping the rotors blows the price out to a point where it’s just cheaper to buy through BnT for brembo rotors (at trade price). 

 

Because of the the cost of shipping I was thinking of just buying them when I go to the states first quarter next year and bring them back with me. 

[limepanda 13]

Yeah that's the issue I had with most places overseas (and actually some locally as well), very expensive shipping which isn't that surprising given the size and weight. partscontainer (NewParts) on Ebay for the rotors. Rock Auto for pads + sensors.

[Olaf 3317]

Interesting.  I recently looked at Zimmermann rotors - just $22ea.  But with a couple of minor parts, freight was $90.  Imagine my surprise looking at the sport Zimmermann rotors (Cross-drilled) at nearly double the price, but HALF the freight cost!? ?

[Jacko 2154]

I have some Zimmerman sport coated and Brembo sport coated rotors in front of me, will post some pics later, its interesting the difference between them.

Its very apparent there are Brembos, and Brembos!, even in the same size/application. 

[Jacko 2154]

Zimmerman Sport Coated ( Slotted / Drilled )

Brembo Sport Coated (Slotted / Dimpled )

The Zimmermans are nicely machined, however the inner side of hub isnt deburred, neither are the slots. Finish inside the vanes is OK.

The Brembo are machining Artwork, not a bur on it. The coating on the wear surfacea is different to the hub. They spent some time making them... AvE would say Skookum as frig.

Ones made in China, the other is German...

[M3AN 4016]

It looks to me as if one of those hats was cast and the other was machined.

 

[Jacko 2154]

Both cast then machined, the chinese ones just done better