Brakes: Centric Solid vs Centric StopTech Slotted vs EBC USR Sport Slotted

[Rally Man]

Well I've been looking at upgrading my rotors since I'll be doing a pad change. But at the same time I'd like to have something visually distinctive from the the normal solid discs, I guess for my own enjoyment. So looking at the slotted from StopTech vs EBC, there's about a $60 difference in favor of StopTech. But those EBC look visually distinctive. What you think, if money is no object, should be a wise choice?

Centric Solid:

Centric StopTech Slotted:

EBC USR

 

[Indelibility]

Money is no object? Go with blank rotors and some really good pads. Might as well paint the calipers while you're in there.

Unless you're Auto-X the 5 slotted are just for show...

 

[Silentnoise713]

Wise choice:
That would be the blanks. Just be aware that Centric has THREE tiers (that I know of) of blanks, each costing more as it has higher % pure iron ores and less reclaimed metal for a top quality piece of metal.

Money is no object choice:
Assuming fair and competitively pricing between products (e.g. both on sale), you get what you pay for. I’d always recommend going with the more expensive option if you can afford it. If one’s on sale, that’s a different story.

If you only want show choice:
Get the eBay special (cross drilled and slotted) that’s floating around but just remember “you get what you pay for”.

 

[Rally Man]

Well eBay specials are out of the picture, in fact never even considered them because of the "you get what you pay for". Now when I went to Centric's website they only showed two p/n's for blanks, front and rear. What do you mean by three?

 

[Silentnoise713]

Took a while to find this but see this.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...ommendations&p=5960618&viewfull=1#post5960618
summary: C-Tek (121.x) < Premium (120.x) < High Carbon (Heavy Duty/ Commercial) (125.x).

Too bad DBA doesn't offer a product for the Mz5 but they do offer it for MS3 -upgrade?
http://www.dbausa.com/products/

 

[kw_da]

each costing more as it has higher % pure iron ores and less reclaimed metal for a top quality piece of metal.

*** off topic ***

I guess I never understood this, why scrap metal would make any difference than using ore? The only thing I can think of is that the refiner is not sure of what is exactly in the scrap they are melting down, so they are not sure of the exact amount of additives to use to get the particular properties in the steel they are making.

 

[Rally Man]

Silentnoise, thanks a bunch for that info! I think I'm leaning more towards the StopTech.

 

[CTt3P5]

I'll throw my two cents in.....I've used the Centric C-Teks and Premiums on my P5. The C-Teks were ok and worked well but rust on the hubs was visible after a couple of weeks. Next time around I opted to pay a little more for the premium with the e-coating. On my second set now and just replaced the front rotors on the wife's 2010 3 with the Premiums....IMO can't go wrong for the cost.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Money no object? Stoptech/Centric blanks > EBC.

Blanks give you better disc integrity, more pad contact surface area, more mass for heat absorption, storage, and release...

 

[MarkVII88]

I very much like the Centric Premium solid discs and Centric Ceramic pads that I put on all 4 corners of our 2008 Mazda5 in August. That combo stops much better and feels much nicer than the OEM by far. The black e-coating on the Centric discs still looks brand new. I'll let you know after a good Vermont winter though.

 

[Rally Man]

Well our Southern California winters don't tend to be has, uhmmmm...., harsh

 

[eyeballs]

The EBC's look the coolest, though I might trust the centric/stoptech more. I went through 2 sets of Racing Brake slotted rotors on my wrx and they were fine. Actually I liked the slots because I knew when they were about gone it was time to replace the rotor (no need to bust out the caliper). The only downside I've experienced is slightly accelerated pad loss. I'm not sure why so many people are against slots for street use/auto-x use. For extended track use I wouldn't trust them, but we are not talking about that.

 

[Silentnoise713]

The EBC's look the coolest, though I might trust the centric/stoptech more. I went through 2 sets of Racing Brake slotted rotors on my wrx and they were fine. Actually I liked the slots because I knew when they were about gone it was time to replace the rotor (no need to bust out the caliper). The only downside I've experienced is slightly accelerated pad loss. I'm not sure why so many people are against slots for street use/auto-x use. For extended track use I wouldn't trust them, but we are not talking about that.

What kind of pads were you using? I’ve learned that you need to balance the rotor : pad. If one is too aggressive (well constructed) it will prematurely eat away at the other simple b/c one is well constructed or build to last. I experienced the opposite effect on cheapie Brembo blanks with EBC Red (or was it Yellow?) stuff pads where the pad slightly accelerated rotor lost. This was in the 90's and I've since harp on better quality rotors. I don't necessarily need the best but definitely don't settle for bottom of the barrel, no matter the name attached to it, unless you plan to run stock or equivalent. Every manufacturer is capable of making a good product, how much you pay determines which product you get.

I only dislike cross drilled as I understand they are the ones that are susceptible to stress fractures/cracking under extreme conditions, which not many will every experience. I do like slotted and/or dimpled, just don’t like having to pay for it

 

[eyeballs]

I was using Ferrodo DS2500 pads (best streetable high temp pad I've experienced thus far). IIRC I went though about 2 sets of pads before the fronts needed replacement, and the rears were 1/2 pad behind.

I also will never run a drilled rotor, even though they are fitted as OE by some premium manufacturers. Under normal street use, though, I imagine they would be just fine.

 

[Rally Man]

Well I made my decision. Just bought the StopTech slotted, only for the fronts, for now anyways. Just a waiting game now.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Good choice!