Jacks911

It's time to replace the brakes on my '91 C2. A good winter project for rainy Seattle. I have done some online pricing for OEM Rotors and Pads. VerTex is cheapest at $524 and others like Performance and Tweeks are $675 to $700 plus shipping. Online / Mail order is good for us WA residents as we have an 8.9% sales tax savings from out of state.

But? - are all OEM Rotors & Pads the same & OK quality? & - has anyone any experience with these or other Parts vendors in the US? And if you have any Brake repair advice or suggestions, I would appreciate that as well.

Adrian

Dear Jack,
There are no solid answers to your question even on the quality issue. Let us say variable quality which can vary from batch to batch. Some people have good luck with one brand, others not. Personally for normal road use I would stick to the original Porsche parts and not go with aftermarket copies, even by previous or even current OEMs. If you are a racer then you would act differently.
I like Zimmerman and Sachs products. Others do not. Some people swear by Pagid brake pads others do not.
You have to go with what you are happy with and always keep in mind "Buyer Beware".
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

Bill Gregory

I've heard anecdotal discussion that says that OEM rotors don't hold up under track/racing conditions as well as Porsche-sourced rotors. You may want to check Hendrick Porsche (800-315-8193) as they discount 20%-30% and often are less expensive than Vertex (not considering Vertex's 3% credit card and handling fee). Depending on your usage, you may want to consider cryogenic treatment of the rotors (see www.frozenrotors.com).

As far as brake pads, you need to consider your usage. All street, some track etc. I only use Pagid's for track usage, but OEM/Porsche/Axxis/Hawk/Performance Friction/etc all have good products that work on the street.

Dayton

I agree with these guys...as Adrian mentioned some people are happy and others not...The reason is when these companies claim "OE" the mfg of the (pads for instance) change the compounds depending on the runs...i.e. texstar, pagid, etc. So you really don't end up with Genuine quality all the time, but they are still allowed to claim "OE". As Bill mentioned, if your tracking you have all kinds of options but if your just replacing I suggest true genuine replacements...
Cheers
Dayton

KLehmann

If you're going to go with OEM, get the TRUE Genuine OEM from Porsche. Porsche stuff always fits and is a good compromise between performance/reliability. As Bill said, Hendrick Porsche is hard to beat. Parts manager Kenn (as well as the other fellas) is first rate. They'll even surprise you sometimes by throwing a free calendar in your box when you place a hefty order. I know it's just a calendar, but it's a nice gesture nonetheless!

Patrik S

Has anyone experience with
cryogenic treated rotors (like www.frozenrotors.com)? I use my Turbo on both track and weekend road trips. And are there any special pads for cryogenic treated rotors?

Regards,
Patrik, 911 Turbo 1991

Bill Gregory

I used frozen rotors on my rear Turbo brakes (mounted on a 911SC) for street and track usage for 4K-5K miles, and had no indication of cracking between holes (which is why I went with cryogenically treated Porsche rotors). I used Axxis Metal Masters on the street and Pagid Orange pads on the track. Here's a picture of the rotor:

Dayton

Wow, you beat me to the post Bill, I was going to recommend the Frozen rotors and Pagid Orange pads...
Cheers
Dayton

Jay H

Jack:

There were some posts awhile back (I think even done on the old board format) that stated that someone was unhappy with the Vertex rotors they bought for their 993. They ended up cracking or warping prematurely. The rotors purchased from Vertex were made by the OEM that supplied Porsche. But, these rotors that Vertex bought from this company (even though they were an OEM) did not meet the specifications that Porsche demands for their parts. The same company made different spec rotors for Porsche and for aftermarket sales (the ones at Vertex).

I've bought lots of stuff from Vertex and never had a problem. But, since brakes are so important, I'd get these particular parts right from your Porsche dealer's parts department. Save Vertex purchases for non-critical items.

Hope this helps,
Jay
90 964

D. Wong

Hey Jack,

I,too, am planning to replace my stock rotors and pads this winter. After reading these posts I will most likely go with OEM from the dealership. Most Porsche dealerships will
offer PCA discounts for parts. I have priced these at about $580. Iam hoping not to have to bleed the system afterwards. Any hints anyone ??

Thanks

Roland Kunz

Hallo

@Dayton

OEM must manufactor according to specs from Porsche. Theose specs are definatet in a special way.

Now brake pads must be approved by TÜV and everyone saleing brake pads for Porsche must meet at least the TÜV approvals ( KBA# on the rear ) or the Porsche approvals.

On brake compond the thing is very simple. Porsche has own brake compounds while sharing hardware with others.
Say other manufactorers use the same pad but with a other compound. A good example is the old VW Bus used the same brake pad like the 911 S but the price difference was heafty so most people used Bus pads.

Most OEM deliver pads for nearly all car manufactorers.

Now in germany it is not allowed to use unaproved parts on raod caes doesn´t matter if they are better or worser. It´s just a question from liability. If I stick in unaproved parts I become responsible for that even without knowing the backgrounds.
If the owner sticks them in themself it is his problem ( or his problem when the insurance shows up after a accident ).

But I have a major problem if I sold him the parts as similar to the Porsche product.
The problem gets even bigger if the parts don´t have any approvals for road use.

About rotors it is so that Sebro is the leader in technology but not equiped with the best sales persons and not interesstet to sale products aside the official line.
Yet Sebro is the backbone from Porsche, BMW, ATE, Textar especially whenever they have only small quantitys or need special rotors. Zimmermann is a major Massproducer and sells mostly under his own brand but also over other brands.
The major difference between German OEM and Porsche is the afterthreatment.

If you look at Porsche rotors they come with the gray protection and have the Porsche markings. The OEM are not allowed to use the Porsche coating ( with is also to expensive for the marked ).
A other story is Brembo who is a OEM but produces different rotors for Porsche. the major difference is that Porsche Rotors get grinded with a hard tempered surface and the Aftermarked units get grinded soft and then packed up untempered. Saves some bucks on time and tools.

Grüsse

Roygarth

How confusing! What is difference between OE, OEM and Original Porsche parts??

Is a 'Rotor' American for brake disc?

This is relevant as I think I need new 'discs / rotors'

When I lived in US I caused much mirth when calling a 'engine hood' a 'bonnet' - a 'fender' a 'wing' - a 'trunk' a 'boot'et. etc!!

Best regards
Piers
London

Patrik S

Porsche Club Sweden visited the Swedish Porsche race team (Podium Racing) yesterday.
I asked them and a few other VERY knowledgeable members if they knew of cryogenic treatment. They did not!
The best and most economical setup in their opinion was to get genuine Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 rotors, calipers and 993 RS pads.
If the color (red) was not an issue the front 928 GTS calipers (black) are identical! The 928 GTS calipers might be cheaper! I have to check this out.

Cheers
Patrik, 911 Turbo 1991

Terry Waller

I just replaced my front rotors with stock Porsche units purchsed over the phone from Cresent City Porsche in New Orleans. Fast service and good price. They advertize in Excellence Magazine.

Dayton

Mr Kunz,

Thanks for your input..I think we were trying to say the same thing..but very impressed with your knowledge...
grusse
Dayton
fvd-usa