New rotors - ECS or Centric?

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

Yes you can re-use your brake wear sensors, assuming you can get them out of the existing pads without breaking the brittle plastic.

do not re-use your existing pads on new rotors.

I just went with a Centric blanks and Cool Carbon brake pad set-up and HATE it.
Maybe its due to my colder climate but the brakes squeal about 50 kms after wheels are washed (I assume brake dust causes this) and the brake dust is STILL 100% there (MAYBE MAYBE slightly less than factory pads) but worst part is the stopping power is NOT there compared to factory pads and factory rotors (I have never tracked my X5 and never plan to as its a daily driver in stop-&-go traffic). If i wouldn't loose so much in throwing these new pads/rotors away for new factory equipment I'd have done so already.

Just swap out your pads for the Stop Tech Z17, you will be happier.
Rear
POWER STOP 17683 Z17 EVOLUTION PLUS w/Hardware Kits
Front
POWER STOP 17681 Z17 EVOLUTION PLUS w/Hardware Kits

see www.rockauto.com for pricing and confirm application on the manufacturer's website.

[we350z]

This is the exact problem I had with the StopTech street performance pads on my Z. If you are not a madman on the pedal all the time than you never get the pads hot enough to reach operating temp and this causes uneven pad deposit to develop. Once it builds up to a certain level you start noticing wheel wobble and vibration when breaking.

Another contributing factor to this is standing on hot brakes after exiting a highway off ramp or something. This is especially easily to do in a AT car. You need to get into the habit of using the ebrake to avoid this.

I am a light braker I make use of engine braking and am used driving MT primarily.

At the end of the day its not a race car, I'm not taking it to the track and I don't need extreme braking. I want dependable braking, better bite, lower dust and better durability (greater than 35Kmi would be nice) than OEM would all be bonus because OEM was definitely above satisfactory.

I don't ever want to have to deal with uneven pad deposit again it is a nightmare you either have to cut the rotors or run race pads around the block a couple times to clean them up so the surface is nice and flat again.

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

Yeah, the Cool Carbon pads are more suited to hot climates.

They need REALLY aggressive bedding (in the link below). Also aggressive heat cycling every few thousand miles to re-establish rotor "transfer layer" of pad material (when not used hard for long periods).

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...rake-pads.html

[Clockwork]

Powerstop you say? I'll have to look into them more. seem to be fan favorites with domestic vehicles...

I honestly even thought about just going back to factory pads to sue with my centric blanks

[we350z]

Is the Z17 Power Stop the "Pro Street Pad"? If so it is still a very hard and aggressive pad that is for aggressive braking like at the track. You have to get them up to temp to limit excessive pad deposit and stay off of them when coming to a stop with hot rotors (i.e. coming off the freeway off-ramp). This is exactly what caused uneven pad deposits on my 300ZX StopTech AeroRotor BBK kit to develop not even 1000 miles after. Even after re-bedding the problem won't go away. STAY AWAY if you are a light braker / live in cold climates or if you are not at least hitting some light track days.

Brake Pads

Think I will just go with the Posi-Quiet. I just bought a pair of them for my Z after I clean the rotors up with my hawk blue race pads will mount them and be done with it. They are supposed to have improved bite and lower dust than OEM.

I cut my AeroRotors two times the problem kept recurring that is expensive on a 2 piece rotor you need a special jig. My steering wheel would shake like a mother. Thought it was suspension related replaced nearly everything.

I spoke with StopTech twice before figuring this out my mechanic was clueless cost me a lot of $. Just saying.

You've all been warned. I see a lot of people here having this same exact problem...

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Just swap out your pads for the Stop Tech Z17, you will be happier.
Rear
POWER STOP 17683 Z17 EVOLUTION PLUS w/Hardware Kits
Front
POWER STOP 17681 Z17 EVOLUTION PLUS w/Hardware Kits

see RockAuto for pricing and confirm application on the manufacturer's website.

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by we350z

Is the Z17 Power Stop the "Pro Street Pad"?

No I believe the Z23 line is the high performance line, according to rockauto.

[crystalworks]

I've used powerstops and zimmerman's before. Liked both of them. Also used brakeoverstock.com in the past and was happy with those on my e30's.

This time I went with BrakeMotive (USA company) after reading rave reviews from the vette guys. At the price I paid... it's worth a shot ($230 ceramic pads, rotors, F&R). Will report back after installing them in my maintenance thread.

[4.8isX5]

I have ecs geomet crossdrill/slotted in the rear and nothing but good things to say about them. The geomet coating works as advertised they have zero rust on them after 2 northeast winters here, where as others the paint or coating will flake off around the hat and edges.

[edogg]

I've been running Akebono ceramic pads on Zimmermann rotors for the last 6 months or so. After getting used to a more linear feel without the grab of OEM, I've come to like them. They've stopped me well in a couple of recent panic stops (well enough for ABS to kick in). And they'll last a really long time.


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[we350z]

I'm looking on the Zimmerman site and I see three different versions of the cross-drilled front rotors. What is the difference? Which one is best and where can I buy them?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by edogg

I've been running Akebono ceramic pads on Zimmermann rotors for the last 6 months or so. After getting used to a more linear feel without the grab of OEM, I've come to like them. They've stopped me well in a couple of recent panic stops (well enough for ABS to kick in). And they'll last a really long time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I also have the Akebono ceramic pads all around (don't run only fronts or rears -- I got a weird braking sensation when I did front only). Running on BMW rotors (previous owner had extended maintenance so I got new rotors and factory pads (which are great pads, just dusty as heck). Put the Akebono's on and never looked back (and my wheels look clean all the time!).