Centic Rotors and Friction Master Pads

[jcb986]

Originally Posted by thstone

Rotors are rotors. Yes, some have nicer finish machining or painted top hats, but there is no signifiicant difference in the makeup of the metal that would make a German rotor "better" than a Chinese rotor. The difference is all in the secondary machinging/finishing operations.

Pads make all of the difference. I don't have any experience with Friction Master but the pad itself will make or break the braking performance and feel.

Cheap rotors under aggressive driving will usually warp. It's the cheap steel that causes this problem. Again, you get what you pay for.

[papasmurf]

installed them about 3-4 months ago with new pads. I cannot remember exactly what pads they were (can look it up if it matters) but I think they were Centric as well. Some of the research I did online indicated that Centric made several different rotors for other companies that were "rebranded" as more premium brands. Again, I can't remember which brand it was but I can look it up if it matters. So far so good with mine...I did not get the painted hats and they have rusted but I eventually will get some high temp paint and spray the hats if it bothers me enough. I drive the car on the street exclusively and am of the opinion that rotors are rotors for the most part and unless you are driving the car really hard much of the time, you would not likely know the difference. So much of the premium pricing on aftermarket parts for these and similar cars is because of the notion that because they were relatively expensive to purchase new and/or exotic, the spare parts should cost an arm and a leg as well.

I am not doubting the quality of the European made parts, but am curious as to whether the quality of the metal is all that much better? I know China has had some weak steel in the past, but is the European stuff really all that much better now days?

[The Radium King]

buy cheap rotors and change the rotors when you change your pads!

[thstone]

Originally Posted by jcb986

Cheap rotors under aggressive driving will usually warp. It's the cheap steel that causes this problem. Again, you get what you pay for.

I use cheap Chinese rotors and never seem to have a problem including tons of track days. Paying more is not always in good indicator of quality - sometimes yes, sometimes no.