Simple Brake Decision Causing Frustration
 

Greetings all.

I've spent hours trying to find a solution to what should be a simple problem. My mechanic says it is about time to replace the brakes on my 2020 Toyota 86.

He suggested Wagner or Bosch. He ordered Wagner pads and rotors which was OK with me until I learned about the different models of Wagner pads. Before the installation I discovered the Wagner OEx Car version which seemed to be the ideal selection for spirited driving.

Unfortunately, Wagner made a corporate decision to make OEx car pads available for 90% of modern cars -- excluding the BRZ and 86. The Wagner ThermoQuiet and Quickstop models will fit my 86 and appear to be great for non-sport cars but I live in an area with pristine, low traffic beautiful mountain roads and I, naturally, like to open the 86 on occasion.

Amazon prices the Bosch rotors and pads total $207. The same Wagner products are priced at $226. Great prices for quality products.

I'm not in a position to spend $2k+ for Brembos. I've looked at Akebono pads but my understanding is that one should buy pads and rotors from the same manufacturer. I can't seem to find Akebono rotors.

Bosch seems to have pads that are geared more for my driving style. Should I cut my losses with the Wagner and go with the Bosch?

Is my opinion regarding the Wagner ThermoQuiet and Quickstop pads misguided? It would be most unfortunate to end this story with a large oak tree providing my braking solution.

Would it be imprudent to use Akebono pads with Wagner rotors?

My budget for this project is about $500-600. My mechanic said he'll install any brakes for $160 (he'll only warrant Wagner and Bosch) so I've got up to $440 to work with. I'd like to stay with an established brake manufacturer. Is anyone aware of a company offering exceptional products within my budget?




Apologies for the lengthy post. I strongly suspect that most forum members are not nearly as knowledgeable as the many brilliant members in this section. My hope is that this thread can benefit the great masses that are struggling with similar issues.


In all events, thanks in advance.

I think you should look into the Hawk 5.0 HPS pads. Great street pads and quiet

How many miles are on your car?

- Andrew

If you're ordering online, why not get Centric blank rotors? Well proven, very basic.
Even if you get the cheapest, shittiest brake pads, you're not going to somehow be unable to stop the car- it'll be ok at worst under normal driving conditions.

There is no reason to match brands of brake rotors and pads.

"replace brakes" may mean various things.

Most often it's just about replacing worn brake pads (maybe also fluid). Less often it's about replacing also disks (which usually last 2-4 sets of pads). Almost never it's about replacing calipers aswell (which seems the case of mentioned $2K+ price tag for brembo upgrade?).

Enthusiastic driving on mountainous roads is much closer to normal driving brake taxation wise then to track driving, as making it closer to later one needs to drive in license loosing manner, ignoring posted speed limits 1.5-2x times, ignoring own and others safety (as to push car to track level "much", one will drive without safety margin on car capabilities limits in environment of loads of uncontrolled variables and of increased consequences for errors (with no way to stop in time to avoid unexpected things like pedestrians/animals/children on road, or other car joining from blind junction, no engineered runoff zones, no marshals on increasing safety, less known/drilled down route vs repeated in many laps track, and so on.).

Others already noted, no need to match pads & rotors maker.

For slight OEM+, i'd get any street-ish hybrid pads (own choice for daily on stock brakes is Ferodo DS2500 pads) + better brake fluid (of higher boiling temps). Should cover most your uses (except actual track use). IF(!) rotors need to be replaced, really, any should do, there is little difference among cast iron rotors, many go by whichever cheapest locally (in US that often are Centric rotors). I suggest not getting slotted/drilled ones for reliability sake, but "blanks" like stock ones are and like others have suggested here aswell.

I bought the car used in 2021 with about 20k mi. Now it has about 32k.

Not to give you more options to confuse things but...

My OEM pads are still in good shape after 60k miles and 9.5 years as a testament to their durability in street driving. Unless you are seeking an upgrade I would just go with OEM. If you don't want to change anything, why change it?

If you are seeking an upgrade, well I can't really help cause I'm still on OEM brakes lol. Good luck!

^+1. i've been very happy with the oem brakes. very consistent, not greasy.

maybe performance usage matters to some, but my usage definitely fits within the stock pads...

Bingo bango.

I would verify that you do in fact need new brakes. :)

Have a look at them yourself, or post a pic of the pad thickness on here.

Certainly would be early for a normal daily driver at 32k miles.

- Andrew

I would believe it if OP lives in some mountains. For most people yeah it is early.

Did you have any performance problems with the OEM pad? No...the Wagners will be fine; yes...a more performance oriented street pad would help.

What exactly are you doing with your car? How many miles did your factory pads last you? Do you have photos or measurements of the pads showing their remaining thickness?

This will better guide any recommendation I make.

Obligatory Endless MX72 recommendation.