Brake rotors?

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 03 Dec 2011, 19:56

Since there is little traffic in the S40 area...here's a question for yuz:
Front Brake rotors for my S40: Zimmerman $75 each, Brembo $60 each, Meyle $32 each. I didn't price Volvo, went to the IPD and FCP websites. Which ones?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 03 Dec 2011, 22:36

I think most have been very happy with the Zimmermans. Brembo used to be great but they apparently switched production to China and there has been a lot of grousing about them warping quickly. I have no experience at all with the Meyle brand rotors but their reputation is good and the other Meyle parts I have installed worked quite well.

For my part I have been using some drilled rotors from a place called UC Auto Parts in Canada that I buy on eBay but they always come in a Raybestos box. After 5 years none of them have warped. I don't know if drilling them helps or not but I wouldn't be afraid to buy some plain old Raybestos rotors at a local auto parts store.

...Lee

Mad Dog Tannen · Post by **Mad Dog Tannen** » 04 Dec 2011, 00:58

EBC is another great option you might want to consider.

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 04 Dec 2011, 07:28

Perfect solution: Buy the zimmermans someplace that sells them cheaper. Zimmerman front rotors for an S40 can be had for $50 each. I won't say where since FCP and IPD are supporters here, but you can PM me if you want to know. Don't forget that disk rotors will cost quite a bit to ship, so factor that in too.

Don't forget to try local auto parts stores. I recently got a V70 engine mount $24 cheaper at my local auto parts store than any online source was selling the exact same part, even with the MVS discount. I saved in both price and shipping. Call your local parts stores up - they all quote over the phone.

SpeedyPete · Post by **SpeedyPete** » 04 Dec 2011, 10:59

Hi Guys: Check out www.BrakePerformance.Com , I'm running their Premium Dimple Drilled/Slotted rotors front and rear with their standard pads. Good stuff! They are made in the USA and have a lifetime warranty not to warp. Also Free Shipping! Stay away from Brembo they will warp. Best Regards, SpeedyPete

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 04 Dec 2011, 14:16

SpeedyPete wrote:Hi Guys: Check out http://www.BrakePerformance.Com , I'm running their Premium Dimple Drilled/Slotted rotors front and rear with their standard pads. Good stuff! They are made in the USA and have a lifetime warranty not to warp. Also Free Shipping! Stay away from Brembo they will warp. Best Regards, SpeedyPete

Hey Pete... any downsides in getting the 'less expensive' rotors? Do I really need slotted and dimpled? Been riding with plain rotors all my life. Anyone else heard of Brake Performance? The website has great prices.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 04 Dec 2011, 14:31

I had not heard of that website before and thus I certainly attest to the quality of their products. That said, the drilled and / or slotted rotors do have a different feel under heavy braking in that there is a weird pulsation that makes you want to let off of the pedal a bit.

You really don't need to but your instincts say to do it. In my case it took a couple of years of hard core braking to exit one of the turns on the way to my cabin to just get used to it.

...Lee

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 04 Dec 2011, 17:06

I know this is a controversial topic, but I believe drilled, slotted, or drilled and slotted rotors to be a waste of money unless you race or haul a trailer. Think about it - if your regular solid rotors can activate your ABS then your car is stopping as fast as it can, period. All solid rotors can easily activate the ABS. All the slots and holes in the world won't stop you any faster. Slotted rotors dissipate heat faster so you can brake hard again and again, but they do not make your car stop faster in normal driving. If you aren't racing or letting a trailer push you down a mountain don't waste your money. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 04 Dec 2011, 18:02

instarx wrote:unless you race or haul a trailer.

Or, if you live in an area prone to nasty wetness and occasional flooding, or haul children and demand the highest safety factor, or simply like to drive like an a-hole in the rain and snow. IMO drilled and chamfered is better than slotted for this purpose; the buzz during heavy braking isn't quite as obnoxious.

Having an opening in the stopping surface of any shape gives expanding steam somewhere to go. Just because the pads don't outgas anymore, doesn't mean there aren't still sources of gas, such as the parts being wet. This sort of problem goes away after a few good deliberate stops to dry them off, of course, but it's nice not having to, and knowing that first stop will be a good one.

instarx wrote:activate your ABS then your car is stopping as fast as it can, period.

Strictly speaking, this isn't true. If ABS is activating, the wheels are locking up and then unlocking in rapid cycle. This is the best an undertrained driver, such as the common joe, can hope for. It's better, though, for there to be no lock time at all, but then you have to manually modulate your foot to keep the brakes *JUST* short of locking up. This is called threshold braking, and it is the fastest stop possible.

Post by **rspi** » 04 Dec 2011, 19:17

Well, I have never driven with slotted or drilled rotors but hope to do so soon. There have been times when I had to brake hard and actually turn off of the paved serface of the road because my brakes were just not getting the job done (short of locking them up which the car may not have done due to ABS). From my understanding, drilled and slitted rotors help reduce brake fade dromatically. A couple of times my brake fade was so bad it felt like my pads actually got wet. It happened real quick and once is to often. Driving down the highway in the summer heat in the south at 80 mph can put enough heat on your brakes and then some bone head turns in front of you while you are about to pass them can really put you in a bind.

I think they're a safety feature like air bags or seat belts. One day you get in the spot where you need them and you appreciate them a lot.