Ouch! Please suggest something less painful!

[nfpgasmask]

OK, so, I just got off the phone with Merlin about getting some OEM brakes and rotors:

FRONT BRAKES (SET): $97.69
REAR BRAKES (SET): $75.02

I'm cool with that.

FRONT ROTORS (EACH): $124.93 (x2 = $249.86)
REAR ROTORS (EACH): $197.81 (x2 = $395.62)

***BLOOD SQUIRTS OUT OF MY WALLET***

We are talking probably over $1000 for new brakes, rotors and then the service to swap 'em out!

So, can someone suggest an good alternative to the OEM rotors? I am going to stop by my mech and see if they can be turned/re-used, and I want the best for my baby, but DAMN that is exspensive!!!

Bart

[Mark B]

How many miles? Usually your rotors can be turned and new brake pads installed. It should run good as new.

[nfpgasmask]

I'm at 38,500. I am going to stop by the shop this week and ask them to take a look and see if my rotors can still be used.

I am only concerned cause my left rear drum started making a slight scraping noise so I am worried I might be digging a grove into the rotor. I'm gonna get this check soon and hopefully, if I need a new rotor it will only be one or two.

Bart

How many miles? Usually your rotors can be turned and new brake pads installed. It should run good as new.

[orion]

Go aftermarket!! I got all four rotors off ebay for under $200. even my local parts store had them cheaper than what you have listed, and they were in stock.

[etlsport]

at 38k i would think your rotors would be fine.. i still have the stock rotors at 50k and havent had them turned yet.... i did read that some of the 01's that didnt sell for awhile had issues with rotors

[nfpgasmask]

Did you get those R1Concepts rotors??? If so, did you use their pads also?

Thanks,
Bart

Go aftermarket!! I got all four rotors off ebay for under $200. even my local parts store had them cheaper than what you have listed, and they were in stock.

[Ruflyf]

Bart, Why would you want oem rotors when they are prone to disintegrating?

[r1concepts]

I put them on both my VX and my wife's Impreza. They're working out just fine, but I only have about 2k miles on each car since the purchase. They do fit well. I also bought the ceramic pads from R1concepts. They're a really tight fit into my calipers, but they work just fine.

edit: I actually went with the OEM style and not drilled/slotted. I have any need for extra venting and would prefer the extended pad life.

Tobert, I'm glad that they worked out for you.

Did you get those R1Concepts rotors??? If so, did you use their pads also?

Thanks,
Bart

Bart, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'd like you to be as informed as possible, whether or not your purchase the product.

If you don't plan on buying our rotors, let me know who your deciding on. We are a manufacturer, so we do know a lot of suppliers personally. I'll give you my honest opinion about the quality of brakes out there.

To everyone else that have purchase rotors from us, thank you for the support.

[VehiGAZ]

nfp, I think the dealership prices you were quoted were pretty good! I recently had my dealer replace the rear pads (almost gone) & rotors (warped). The STEALership is charging $250 APIECE for the rotors!! I didn't ask about the price ahead of time, so I got burned on the bill. Never again will I not ask!

[kpaske]

nfp, I think the dealership prices you were quoted were pretty good! I recently had my dealer replace the rear pads (almost gone) & rotors (warped). The STEALership is charging $250 APIECE for the rotors!! I didn't ask about the price ahead of time, so I got burned on the bill. Never again will I not ask!

There's almost always a higher markup on parts installed by the dealership. Sometimes the price you're quoted at the parts counter is much less than what they charge you in the shop in the same building (in addition to the labor!). But the prices Merlin @ St. Charles gives us are lower than any I've seen.

[biju]

not too sure I'd buy my R1's over again if given the chance...(but maybe because I have limited to NO experience with how drilled/slotted rotors *should* perform...??)

the face (surface) on my rotors are BROWN? - and the slots get all filled up with pad gunk constantly. (doesn't this defeat the purpose of the slots? ha.)

Is this supposed to be? I always see other rides with drilled/slotted rotors and their surfaces are gleaming silver/clean - w/ no build up in the holes or slots...

I dunno. I'm picky tho. maybe this phenomena will subside over time, and is only because they're still new.

-biju.

[nfpgasmask]

Well, what about the braking performance? I mean, I really hope this wasn't a bad choice. I need brakes pretty bad now, but if these are going to be bad for my VX....

So you are saying they are like rusted? Or just dirty? I wonder if I should try to get them exchanged for regular rotors (non-drilled and slotted)??? Do you think that would be better?

Bart

not too sure I'd buy my R1's over again if given the chance...(but maybe because I have limited to NO experience with how drilled/slotted rotors *should* perform...??)

the face (surface) on my rotors are BROWN? - and the slots get all filled up with pad gunk constantly. (doesn't this defeat the purpose of the slots? ha.)

Is this supposed to be? I always see other rides with drilled/slotted rotors and their surfaces are gleaming silver/clean - w/ no build up in the holes or slots...

I dunno. I'm picky tho. maybe this phenomena will subside over time, and is only because they're still new.

-biju.

[biju]

no rust, just 'burnt' color on the break pad (rotor) contact surface... it's really strange. I'll see if I can snap a pic tonight after work...

performace on the R1's are fine so far, but just concerned about what I'm seeing... My hope is this is just stuff happening due to a 'break in' period of new pads/rotors, etc.... and crossing my fingers that what I'm seeing isn't the begining of the end. ha.

again - right *now* - they work great.

-biju.

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, my hope is for performance and longevity. You can't really see my rotors through the Chambers, so looks isn't really a concern. I just want good, long lasting stopping power.

I don't want to have to change my brakes again before Moab!

Hopefully, R1 will chime in on this thread again and let us know what's going on in your case.

Bart

no rust, just 'burnt' color on the break pad (rotor) contact surface... it's really strange. I'll see if I can snap a pic tonight after work...

performace on the R1's are fine so far, but just concerned about what I'm seeing... My hope is this is just stuff happening due to a 'break in' period of new pads/rotors, etc.... and crossing my fingers that what I'm seeing isn't the begining of the end. ha.

again - right *now* - they work great.

-biju.

[biju]

I don't want to have to change my brakes again before Moab!

...am i reading this right? you'll be present?

-biju.