Recommended Rotor and Pad Brands value/price/safety

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 25 Nov 2009, 13:18

OK, so I know there are a lot of Blue Box purists out there and I know DW has some very attractive pricing (but add shipping on heavy rotors and TN sales tax for me).

Also, I'm very fond of that 5 cyl engine growl, but I don't do very much "spirited" driving or much hard braking.

I've looked at FCP, EEuroparts, TireRack, Amazon, and ebay plus the usual auto parts outlet suspects - AutoZone, Advance, and Orielly.....

I am wondering if Volvo pads and auto parts store brand rotors work for people? Like Wearever (Advance), Brake Best (Oreilly), and Duralast (AutoZone)...good or bad?

Anyone have experience with ATE rotors (FCP)?

I notice on eBay that there are numerous sellers with no-name brand rotors and pads, the whole set for all four wheels for $160ish. Now I can hear you saying "run the other way" and "you get what you pay for" and "if it sounds to good to be true......" and "don't try to save money on such an important safety function"......But........has anyone ever used any of those and had a positive (or negative) experience?

I'm sure this has been discussed, but I must be search engine challanged. So I'd love to hear what your experiences have been....

Thanks,

rcoll · Post by **rcoll** » 25 Nov 2009, 14:07

I bought new pads for the front at NAPA. Just recently I had to rotate my tires and check on the wear of both front and back. To my amazement the rear ones were worn out and the front ceramic pads were at 5mm thickness still. These ceramic pads are quiet and do not leave that dark brake dust on the rims which I hate. I paid 32.00 for the pads and I feel I saved a lot of money. The rear pads I bought at the dealership and they took me for a ride at 70.00 for the set. For some reason I have not being able to locate rear ceramic pads.

Hope this helps.

850 Turbo1 · Post by **850 Turbo1** » 25 Nov 2009, 14:41

ATE is the same stuff you get from the Volvo Stealer....

Here is what I have :

Platinum 850: Akebono and Brembo set all around from FCP..absolutely quiet and amazing stopping power...really an ultimate set..I got these because I felt like splurging a little...and for me they were less expensive than what was available in Canada :Wagner pads and Hong Kong discs..that squeal terribly...I actually put them in for 1 day..and swore I'd return them back to their sellers(which I did)...HORRRIBLE performance and EVEN WORSE squealing!

850 T5: ATE brake discs and pads all around. Amazing quality and price is very reasonable. Probably this is the better buy,especially if you like keeping your car original(as if it was maintained at your local stealership) .

What is my opinion?....I believe the ATE are amazing...original parts and have amazing performance..they don't squeal but do have brake dust...I personally don't mind the brake dust. And hey price is quite reasonable too!

The akebono and bremebo set is top of the line...and a better braking ability...excellent performance as well.

FCP is where I order my parts from because I live in Canada(where parts are SOOOOO expensive) and they have excellent special shipping deals with UPS..where I don't have to pay customs or duties when the parts cross the border.

Final word GOO ATE!

Hope this helps!

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 25 Nov 2009, 15:08

Thanks guys for your feedback.

rcoll wrote:These ceramic pads are quiet and do not leave that dark brake dust on the rims which I hate. I paid 32.00 for the pads and I feel I saved a lot of money.

I did put a set of Ceramic AutoZone pads (made by Morse) with Duralast Rotors on the front of my 99 Saab 9-5 Wagon and was pleased for the 3-4,000 miles I drove the car before the tranny decided to die on me. So I don't have any long term experience with them.

850 Turbo1 wrote:ATE is the same stuff you get from the Volvo Stealer....FCP is where I order my parts

I can find the ATE rotors on FCP, but not any ATE pads.......can you show me a link to them? I did read up their marketing stuff on the ATE North America web site.....

Again, thanks for your feedback!

5sobs5 · Post by **5sobs5** » 26 Nov 2009, 07:02

Hi, I think RockAuto has ATE for our Volvos. Good luck.

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 26 Nov 2009, 09:05

Thanks. I'll look at that site...they aren't part of the autopartswarehouse network are they? I assume you've used them before?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 26 Nov 2009, 09:26

Rock Auto is actually legitimate.

For my part I just buy some drilled rotors off of eBay (Most of them began life as Raybestos rotors) from an outfit in Canada called UC Autoparts. A set of four costs around $150.00 USD shipped. For the pads I've been buying the Mintex Reds. So long as they are properly shimmed and greased they don't squeal.

The down side is that they make a wierd noise when you get on them hard on the highway but they have not warped and they stop just fine.

...Lee

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 26 Nov 2009, 15:54

I like Brake Performance rotors and Akebono pads. See my signature for links.

Post by **IVIUSTANG** » 26 Nov 2009, 16:09

I bought my rotors and pads from a Canadian based company in Ontario called Ace Rotors on ebay. Cross drilled with Lightning Industries pads. No squeal at at, very heavy discs. But the pads don't seem to grip nearly as hard as my old worn out brakes did. If nothing else, buy some decent name brand pads. The brake fade on these were so bad that I had my pedal to the floor on a mountain descent. Also, a gravity bleed worked better than the normal pump method for me.

Regards,

- Jesse

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 26 Nov 2009, 18:16

ate is oem for the discs - rotors

i bought a generic good quality set of rotors and they are doing great i have only one regret....i bought pbr ceramics pads for the front and they dust like hell, never again ...should of bought aekebonos or even a very good semi metalic brand...or volvo pads..

any good , i mean good quality rotor would do the job some generic brands made in canda and us offer a good quality...but stay away from pbr...for pads..i had ate rotors prior to the change and you could easily tell they were quality not cheap metal...

cheers !