I'm needing to buy replacement front rotors for my '01 S80 (2.9), I'm looking at eEuroparts.com. The price between Brembo and Zimmerman is the same. What makes one better than the other? Cross drilled rotors are $25 more, what type of driving conditions would make these preferred over standard (non-X drilled)?
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Tsd sports powered non blowback airsoft

 

I bought my rotors, Brembo OEM from FCP Groton. Cross drilled will allow for quicker cooling of the rotor surface. Unless you drive like Mario Andretti the standard rotor will do fine. It just wont look as cool as the cross drilled ones.

 

I also bought Brembo rotors (and Akebono Euro pads) from FCP Groton. So far (about 100 miles) and braking is great and quiet. Unfortunately, I never tried Zimmerman but I think brembo is OEM.

 

Have either of you done much mountain driving with the Brembos? I've made the mistake of using non OEM rotors before and they warped under the demands of driving down mountains.
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Lamborghini Jarama

 

I live in Central Kentucky so mountains aren't part of my daily driving. However, as drabina said, the Brembo rotor is the OEM part for the Volvos. Based on your concerns, I would probably just go back with the OEM Brembo's. Like drabina I also purchased my rotors and the Akebono Euro pads from FCP Groton. I've been completely satisfied, especially the fact that with the ceramic pads I have NO BRAKE DUST! YEEEEEHAAAAAH!

 

Thanks for info! I see that FCP Groton has the Brembos for $55 ea.
I share your joy in not having to deal with brake dust! What a mess.
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Volcano vaporizer

 

I actually think the zimmermann was OEM as well (just not the drilled zimms)

I think they would be of equal quality and performance all things considered...
That said, I have had good experience with brembo on my other cars.. so I would probably go that route when it is time for a change..

 

Same here and they are perfect... however, I recommend painting the hats.

 

"however, I recommend painting the hats" Agreed!

I just bought brembos. I cleaned them with brake cleaner, acetone and lacquer thinner prior to coating them with tremclad clear (I covered the braking surfaces). I like the look of the machined metal, I'll post the durability results in a few months.

The run out on the brembos, next to nil, nice.

 

If anyone thinks about the Zimmermans with the I believe Zink coating on them I would stay away from them. I have had alot of problems with them. Seems like when they machine the inner part where it is close to the backing plate they do not machine it enough. I have had to adjust the backing plate on many cars to stop it from rubbing on the rotor.

 

The Volvo OEM's have the hats already painted black and were about 74$.

 

Good comments guys. Thanks. I'll place my order for the Brembos tomorrow.
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Two And A Half Men Dicussion