Deciding between PowerStop and Zimmermann brakes

[Blueiris]

My 2015 B8.5 has 28k miles and the brake pad light came on last week. I plan to replace all 4 rotors and pads and am torn between these 2 companies. I am leaning towards PowerStop drilled and slotted rotors and Akebono pads. I looked into the Zimmermann rotors as well and have heard good reviews but looks like they only come in a drilled option. I dont track the car at all and to say it is a daily driver is generous, i drive about 5k miles per year. RckAuto seems to have the best price for PowerStop rotors and i beleive that FCPEuro has good prices on pads.

I would love to hear your recommendation for brakes and am open to all suggestions. I would prefer just slotted rotors if possible due to reliability but am also open to drilled/slotted. Let me know what you guys have gone with and where would be the best place to purchase.

[BR11S4]

Do not go with Powerstop. I have Evolution z26 kit and the fronts warped in less than 9k miles. I need to get around to replacing them. Shake at speed and vibrate when braking a lot of the time. Hard pass


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[BR11S4]

Do not go with Powerstop. I have Evolution z26 kit and the fronts warped in less than 9k miles. I need to get around to replacing them. Shake at speed and vibrate when braking a lot of the time. Hard pass

I’ve installed brakes on every car ive owned for last 20 years and never had an issue until these. Cheap Chinese junk imo

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[romanrnd]

Zimmerman rotors for sure, but I'm not really a huge fan of the Akebono pads. I had them on my S4 and on our A6 and you lose the initial bite. Next time around I'm going with more performance oriented different pads.

[grovlet]

I'll throw out another option:
Stoptech Cryo Treated Rotors
Porterfield R4S Pads

not the cheapest for either rotors or pads (actually quite the opposite) - but no issues with stopping power/ fade and brake feel is completely linear..... Also the Cryo Treatment keeps rotors looking like new - which is helpful on cars not driven often.

[grat_master]

Zimmerman rotors all the way. It's either those or pagid, all else are China pos parts.

For pads you could go with zimmerman too. They are metallic but much less dust than oem and still brake good. That's what I bought when I did my brakes. Therefore I would suggest a complete zimmerman kit made in Europe with high quality standards and fabrication.

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[Blueiris]

Thank you all for the input. If my rear rotors are in good condition, should I just replace the fronts with drilled rotors and leave the rears as is and just replace the pads? Also, where is the best place to purchase the Zimmermann rotors?

[Atrevido]

Go with FCP Euro: excellent replacement policy. That's where I got my Zimmermann rotors and Akebono pads.

[minman26]

Another vote for not Akebono Ceramics. Stock brake setup is awful and I can't push the car AT ALL without shaking with my Zimmerman/Akebono setup.

But definitely not Powerstop either. Don't go super cheap on brakes.

[Blueiris]

I am leaning towards these 2 options from FCP Euro. Is the none ceramic pads option the way to go? Why are they cheaper?

Attachment 205916

[BucDan]

'I'm a fan of the Zimmerman/Akebono pad setup. I like the gradual bite and braking. If you like it hard and rough with the braking, go semi then. The brake feel is just different between the two.

[sacandagaD]

I've used the Zimmermann/Akebono combo for years on two S4's, and the only time I ever had a problem, was once when I went with slotted rotors, and they chattered under hard braking, after they had some wear on them.

[Method]

+1 to the Zimmerman/Akebono setup. This is my DD and the occasional spirited drive through the backroads. This setup has been great.

[oaybar007]

I run Zimmerman Z Coat rotors with Textar pads. Basically a stock set up more or less. Dirty, hard bite and good longevity.

[oaybar007]

What I would suggest going by is desired brake feel. That always make it easy for me. If you want the hard initial bite, and don't mind the dust, metallic is the way to. If you prefer a more linear bite, and less dust, ceramic is the way to go. Both perform just fine on the car.

[grat_master]

I am leaning towards these 2 options from FCP Euro. Is the none ceramic pads option the way to go? Why are they cheaper?

Attachment 205916

Go with plain rotors. Keep it stupid simple : Zimmermann plain rotors front rear, Zimmermann / pagid / Textar pads front and rear. That's it that's all. You'll have oem equivalent which is the highest you can go before changing calipers and/or race parts.

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