OEM compared to aftermarket

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AndyT

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Hey everyone! So, I did a rotation today at work while on lunch, and took a peak at my brakes, since they were starting to pulsate, and there isn't much life left. So, I started pricing out pads and rotors. I work at a Chevy dealership, and used to own a GM vehicle, so I'm used to getting OEM parts at a heavy discount; no such luck anymore. I looked using FordParts.com, the pricing at my local Ford store, and everything for the OEM job came to $433.12. I then priced out A/M stuff at two different stores, and they came back $348.94 and $206.94, none of those including local tax. So, I'm not sure if I should just go OEM, or does it really not matter all that much? I've just never used A/M brake parts on my car because I never had to until I bought the Mark. Any advice?
 
You wouldn't want to buy the cheapest stuff, but aftermarket is not a bad idea. Whatever works for you. There may be some parts available from the buy/sell thread.
 
I went to pep boys and got the cheap rotor's f+r, front ceramics and semi rears for just about 200 retail(I paid 135 after a very friendly discount).. I've bought the more expensive rotors chain stores carry and they always warped faster for whatever reason, so I shy away from them. Been running the cheapies since and havn't had any problems. The Prostop ceramics I got love to squeak periodicly at initial press for a second. Other than that they've been great. 02
 
I think when it comes to brake components OEM is not necessarily the best or most economical. But the OEm stuff is very good.
 
i have advance auto front and rear rotors, and oreilly ceramic pads at all four corners.
as mentioned above, the ceramics squeak ever so slightly when you first press on the brakes every once in awhile, but with the stereo up or windows closed, i can't hear it.
pleased with the price and performance and will work fine until i get cobra brakes.
 
I have Duralast ceramics from AZ and haven't heard any squeaks. They were on the car in Jan 2010 when I bought the car from Jamie and still have plenty of life left on them. They really aren't that high, last time I looked. Even if they are $10 or so higher for the front or rear, they are worth it. Ceramic all the way. I also rarely ever see any brake dust either.
 
I recently replaced mine with wearever ceramic pads and wearever rotors. So far it's been okay but I always get wrapped rotors so lets see. If you do decide to get them from auto advance, use their coupons by buying them online.
 
check out r1concepts.com

hopefully for xmas i can get drilled&slotted rotors on all 4 corners, and ceramic pads all around too
 
AndyT said:
Hey everyone! So, I did a rotation today at work while on lunch, and took a peak at my brakes, since they were starting to pulsate, and there isn't much life left. So, I started pricing out pads and rotors. I work at a Chevy dealership, and used to own a GM vehicle, so I'm used to getting OEM parts at a heavy discount; no such luck anymore. I looked using FordParts.com, the pricing at my local Ford store, and everything for the OEM job came to $433.12. I then priced out A/M stuff at two different stores, and they came back $348.94 and $206.94, none of those including local tax. So, I'm not sure if I should just go OEM, or does it really not matter all that much? I've just never used A/M brake parts on my car because I never had to until I bought the Mark. Any advice?
Click to expand...

Here are for o/e prices......................retail.....................lvc
F8LZ 2001 AA :KIT - BRAKE SHOE 88.15...................68.75
YF1Z 1V125 EA :ROTOR ASY 2 83.30.....64.97ea........129.94
plus shipping
 
Brakemotive.com

I got a complete set of D/S zinc plated rotors and ceramic pads for $180
 
mrzeee said:
Here are for o/e prices......................retail.....................lvc
F8LZ 2001 AA :KIT - BRAKE SHOE 88.15...................68.75
YF1Z 1V125 EA :ROTOR ASY 2 83.30.....64.97ea........129.94
plus shipping
Click to expand...

This for the front or rear? Shoes :confused:

This seems like a pretty good deal.
 
Well, today I asked one of the parts guys to get me prices on AcDelco pads and rotors, seeing as I work in a Chevy dealership and Delco is just the way to go. Anyway, my price on everything total, with tax came to $316.95. I also got some prices on tires, which ranged from $75/tire to $90/tire all the way up to $200/tire for some kinda Bridgestones. I'm thinking I'll end up going with the cheap ones next spring. I need the brakes though before the fronts start grinding, and then things have a tendency to get expensive. Hopefully in the next few weeks....
 
I have had good luck with R1Concepts rotors and their high performance pads int he past.

On the other hand, I have had TERRIBLE luck with the oreileys brand "brakebest" Lifetime warranty is nice, but eventually you get sick of swapping out faulty parts. I do NOT recommend them.
 
Magnetico said:
How are these rotors / pads holding up so far? I am on eBay and see the BrakeMotive set on there.

I am thinking about getting them...
Click to expand...

i had brakemotive d/s zinc rotors on my 97 for 2 years, the cobra brakes though 13" in the front and 11.25" rear with no problems. they are still on the car but i dont own it anymore. i paid $165 shipped to my house for all 4 rotors brand new and they came with brand new ceramic pads too, the fronts i could use the rear i could not since they were for a mustang not a mark VIII.
 
I just posted in the what did you do to your Mark today thread that I had to replace a Rock Auto rotor because it was so warped from the get go that I could feel it through the steering wheel.

Put a Duralast on it and it feels smooth as a new car now as I had put a Duralast on the other side (RA was NOS sitting around). Plus I an also using the Autozone Ceramics and they are feeling great so far with no noise at all.

All the cheap stuff I used when I had my Gen 1 always lost a pad at one point or another and were not smooth at all.
 
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