Vibration when braking and new rotors

[New_to_Mazda5]

Hello! I am new to this forum, and to Mazda vehicles, so please forgive my lack of knowledge.
Just bought a 2012 Mazda5 (79K km) and there is a noticeable vibration when braking. Mechanic says that I probably need new rotors. Is there anything else I can do before making that major expense? (cryhard)
If I do need new rotors, which budget solution (rotors+pads) would you guys recommend? I don't need super-cool-looking racing ones, just those that work well and will last longer.

 

[MarkVII88]

Hello! I am new to this forum, and to Mazda vehicles, so please forgive my lack of knowledge.
Just bought a 2012 Mazda5 (79K km) and there is a noticeable vibration when braking. Mechanic says that I probably need new rotors. Is there anything else I can do before making that major expense? (cryhard)
If I do need new rotors, which budget solution (rotors+pads) would you guys recommend? I don't need super-cool-looking racing ones, just those that work well and will last longer.

Was the car bought from a private seller or from a dealer? Did you test drive it first and, if so, was the vibration evident then? Did you mention this brake vibration to the seller and get some $ taken off the price? 79K km isn't all that much, really, so I'm guessing original rotors and pads. If you only need to replace the front rotors and pads you can decent replacement parts for $150 or less and higher performance parts for $250 or less as long as you do the work yourself. Check RockAuto.com.

 

[New_to_Mazda5]

Was the car bought from a private seller or from a dealer? Did you test drive it first and, if so, was the vibration evident then? Did you mention this brake vibration to the seller and get some $ taken off the price? 79K km isn't all that much, really, so I'm guessing original rotors and pads. If you only need to replace the front rotors and pads you can decent replacement parts for $150 or less and higher performance parts for $250 or less as long as you do the work yourself. Check RockAuto.com.

The sale price was reduced because of brakes, thank you for asking.

I looked at rockauto and there are tons of brands there. Which ones would you recommend?
Somebody on this forum mentioned Powerstop - all pads and rotors kit - performance version for ~$300 shipped at rockauto and basic one for just $150 - which one to choose?

 

[xxxmonoxidechil]

Stay away from any no name brands and really cheap ones. Cheap rotors are made with sub-grade steel. Hence why they warp so easily.

 

[New_to_Mazda5]

Stay away from any no name brands and really cheap ones. Cheap rotors are made with sub-grade steel. Hence why they warp so easily.

Thanks for a valuable insight!
Is Powerstop a noname brand? I found stellar reviews at Amazon and elsewhere.
I am now hesitating to choose between slotted-and-drilled version of Powerstop and basic one. Big difference in price but is there big difference in performance and reliability?

 

[xxxmonoxidechil]

Powerstop isnt a bad name. I was just saying in general when it comes to brakes, the cheapest ones are usually not your best bet. Same can be said with brake pads also.

 

[New_to_Mazda5]

Ordered Powerstop non-drilled kit, part KOE5804 from Rockauto. Came to $162.97 shipped (+$10 pickup). Autoanything have them on 20% off, still $213.60
Will report how good is it. Thanks to all who answered!

UPDATE: Finally got the parts! It took my mechanic 3 hours to install them because old rotors were difficult to remove due to rust. 180CAD for the labor.
Brakes work well so far. No more vibration!

 

[thaxman]

Sorry I missed this conversation, so for future reference, the OE stock FoMoCo pads are JUNK. They glaze the rotors like doughnuts. With only 79K Km, all you needed to do was turn the rotors and replace the pads with something mid-grade or better.
BTW, when I was looking for good rotors for my V70, I found that price doesn't matter: nearly every last rotor sold is made with cheap Chinese steel. I was finally able to find upgrade Centric rotors that were made of 3 different alloys. Probably still Chinese, but I hope that the advanced formula means that extra care was taken in the engineering and production. So far, they have been pretty good. I am rough on brakes and our road trips involve 80-0 stops.

 

[New_to_Mazda5]

Just returned from our two-week vacation in NS, NB and QC. Drove 5100 km in total. The Powerstop brakes have been great, even on famous Cabot Trail in rain and fog.(cool)