MBT Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Well... it is finally time for me to get new front brakes and this time I want to do it myself and get something with more stopping power and less dust than OEM (cleaning "Argo"s is no easy task).What I'm looking for is honest rating of brake pads and rotors (front and rear for future reference) based on following system and criteria.System:1-10. 1 is HORRIBLE; 10 is AWESOME! I do not expect anything to get a 10 simply because it'd be nice to be able to indicate when something is better than something else and 11 is not an option.Criteria:Noise (less is better)Dust (less is better)Stopping distance/power (less is better)Cost (actual $ range would be nice; less is better )Durability (I'm debating this criteria. On one hand - it'd be nice to know. On the other - everyone drives a little differently, so it may be useless. More is better.)Other criteria are most welcome.Don't forget to mention if the item is for FRONT or REAR and what cars it fits (93 850; 94+ 850, 850R, "will not fit 15" wheels", etc).Please do NOT make this a flame thread. I think we'd all rather know the answers.If this turns into something useful we should probably pin it at the top.Best regards,MBT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Quote:What I'm looking for is honest rating of brake pads and rotors ......... Just my 2 cents worth based on what I have experienced over about 200,000 miles with my 2 850 Turbo Sedans (a 1995 and a 1996):Front BrakesNoise - 10 for OEM Volvo rotors and padsDust - 4 for OEM Volvo rotors and padsStopping Distance - 9 for OEM Volvo rotors and padsCost - 7 (if bought from FCP Groton vs. dealer) for OEM Volvo rotors and padsDurability - 5 for OEM Volvo rotors and pads (about half of what my son's Honda Accord gets)Rear BrakesSame as ratings as fronts except I have found that Zimmerman rotors (from FCP Groton) are equivalent to the stock Volvo rotors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James A Sousa Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 We have enjoyed at least 20 brake jobs on out bricks.Volvo parts, Volvo techs - NO noise or bad manners - I think that NO OTHER parts can hold that claim.Ive read two good bulletin boards for several years and have seen MANY owners change new pads out of frustration with noise, etc.Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimKW Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 I have used the best that NAPA has to offer. Less than 5,000 miles later I took them off and put on OEM pads. I have never used anything but OEM ever since. That was in the late 80's, and everything I have read on many different message boards concurs that OEM is the way to go. I hate the way I have to clean my wheels more often than the car itself, but other than that I have no complaints. They don't make noise and the stopping distance is what you would expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 Volvo OEM on front and rear are definitely the safest way to go. Especially if you count the potential for brake squeal into the equation.The only other pad I would give a thumbs up to is the Raysbestos -Quiet Stops for Imports - their high end pad comes with an extra shim for the front to help mitigate any squeel issues. I don't think they were any cheaper than OEM (I paid about $55 or $60 for the front pads).I'd give OEM pads a 9 and the Raysbestos an 8 rating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin390 Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 I will take dusty OEM brake pads ANY DAY over decrease performance, noise, cheaper aftermarket pads.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javadoc Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 I'll take a slightly noisy pad over one that produces copious amounts of brake-dust, or one that doesn't perform as well as the slightly noisy pad. I don't care if I get a slight squeal right when I apply the brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 Does anyone know who the OEM manufacturer is for Volvo rotors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_racing Posted July 21, 2005 Report Share Posted July 21, 2005 oem for performance and longer lasting rotors, aftermarket weaker performance and overheated rotors due to harder material, which also means less dust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prasamin Posted July 21, 2005 Report Share Posted July 21, 2005 i don't feel like reading through your criteria, but I'll say get Brembo or Zimmerman cross drilled and slotted, with OEM pads or Mintex C-Techsor, just upgrade to the 302mm's.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Will Posted July 21, 2005 Report Share Posted July 21, 2005 I agree with Pras that getting Cross-drilled rotors helps. I think in your case with the 850 that the OEM equipment is very good albeit dusty and they don't last that long.But as long as ceramic pads are broken in properly w/ the cross-drilled rotors, they have significantly less dust...say an 8 on the scale and the stopping power (at least in my car's case) went from a 6 to a 9.As for noise...You can hear your car breaking with the windows open with an audible metallic sound but it's very faint. On the scale probably the OEMs are 10 and these are 7.Oh and I think OEM stuff is from Zimmerman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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