I'm new to the brakes game. I was painting my wheels this past weekend and decided, while my wheels were off, to clean up my OEM calipers and rotors (they look much better now). Upon investigation, I found my rear rotors to be warped and I'm assuming my front aren't far behind.

I'm looking for a slotted set (look good, but without the increased risk of cracking associated with drilled) and am seeing mixed reviews all over these forums and, further more, people who are saying "I got 4 rotors and pads shipped for $xxx" (usually ~$100 less than I'm finding) -- it's beyond me.

What are the real features to look for? I don't know about all the different materials and coatings very well.

Basically, I'm looking at (in order of ascending price) Power Stop, Z1, Centric, or EBC.

Power Stop (PS): The only set I'm considering that also come with pads ("carbon fiber infused"). ...But the rotors are drilled (not necessarily something I want).
Questions: Are "carbon fiber infused" what I know to be "carbon ceramic"?

Z1: ~$46 more expensive than PS.
Note: noticed a pair of these (new) being sold for $8 (obo) less than retail, so I could stand to get 'em even cheaper.

Centric: ~$66 more expensive than PS. Hats painted (something I would do one way or the other), which I figured is about a $60+ value considering time and supplies. The only down side is it's just the hat, not the uncontacted portion of the rotor.

EBC: Ultimax -- $160 more expensive than PS. The whole rotor has a black coating and the coating only wears off the contact area so it's the "perfect" rotor/hat paint job.

...Any obvious "BEWARE" notices anyone can give me? Does anything jump out as good or bad?

 

http://brakeperformance.com

Ran them on my 37s, 3/4 ton diesel, and the vette. Look nice, good price, good warranty, and no issues out of any set in the last 5 years.

 

I'm running these on my car

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...18B_0407328917

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...859_0319671545

With the Napa ultra premium rotors all the way around and going from rotors that had turned blue and then the blue wore off and the pads were down to almost metal it stops a hell of a lot better.

It has no problem emptying the passenger seat even with the smaller 03-05 brakes. I've never had to emergency stop but I have faith in them. Also, no brake dust FTW!

 

Have you considered DBA, I've not heard a bad word said about these. They may be a little more expensive than others, but hey, what price the ability to stop on a quarter. Check 'em out. The only negative i van find about these is that DBA means Disc Brakes Australia.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FRONT-REAR-4-PERFORMANCE-DRILLED-SLOTTED-BRAKE-ROTORS-AND-8-CERAMIC-PADS-M120522-/390874026102?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3A350Z&hash=item5b01e85076&vxp=mtr

Call it a day. I've ran ebay rotors from anything to a f350 diesel, to a 6 series bmw to a kia amanti. I've never had problems with them

 

Thanks, guys! With some of the tips y'all are throwing my way it looks like I could buy 8 rotors with the money I was going to spend.

samsniss, I looked at DBA...but like you said, they 'spenive!

NOW I'm looking at the brakeperformance.com set or Brakemotive on eBay.

I do, however, work at Advance Auto Parts, so I'm getting their (/our) Platinum Ceramics. I know...shame on me for not being able to answer my own questions if I work at an auto parts store, but hey, I'm still learning (plus we deal with very little aftermarket/performance stuff).

 

You work at Advance. It's okay for you to not know things. lol

I help a buddy out with the Napa store he owns so I get damn good deals from there. Cheaper than I could get stuff from my other buddy's employee discount at Advance.

 

r1concepts

 

I did centric slotted. no regrets

 

Search for Centric premium rotors. They tend to be a good baseline quality (ex plenty of people run the Centric blanks on the track), and are a good price since you aren't paying the premium for a "name" attached to them.


And not to throw fuel on the fire, but I tend think slapping slotted/drilled rotors on a base brakes kinda makes them look even smaller and more puny. Hell I even think it has that effect on the Brembos as well, since they aren't really that big anyway.

 

BUT you can get Centrics either blank, drilled, slotted, both IIRC

 

Hawk pads ftw

 

You might as well replace both at the same time since your getting the rears done. I went with the DBA 4000 series t slot rotors and ferodo ds2500 brakes. If cost is a factor, the centrics should get you there. Surprised how the OEM brembo rotors from Nissan are like 500 for the rear set. I got my rotors with pads for around $900 from Stillen.

 

In regards to crossdrilled rotors, just get slotted. I've had way too many R35 buddies who still get cracks in those OEM brembos. They end up swapping them for some slotted rotors on the next brake change.

 

This company claims that this set won't fit my 05 G35 coupe. Any idea what will?

 

I don't understand the appeal of drilled rotors or drilled AND slotted rotors....

 

I put the Z1 slotted ones on about a month ago and they still looked brand new. No discoloration or any slight signs of rust or cracking. I think they have deals if you buy sets