For example: http://preview.tinyurl.com/4yp9zxp (Indirect URL for purposes of forum guidelines)

I'm far from a rotor expert. Is there really a big difference in quality among brands? Just looking at my options.

Thanks,

SirJag

 

I've heard good things about R1 brake rotors.

 

I'm interested in the wide variety in prices - in the UK R spec' brakes from Jaguar are double take expensive, although o.e.m quality can be found at nearly a third of the price. I wonder if it's the case in the USA. The brakes you linked read like they're of a good enough quality, it's when it get's too cheap you start to wonder.

Equally important are the pads you use with the new rotors, what are the US X308 drivers using that's good (low dust, good modulation, progressive wear across pad and rotor, no squeal! etc) I like Ferodo pads...

 

I like Mintex pads. They meet all the above requirements.

 

I'd like to know as well. Price seem too good to be true.

 

I've been doing a little rooting around in other car forums and from what I'm reading, the R1 brand rotors (see my link in Post #1) are getting good feedback from users. They sell Stock Replacement (they call them ELINE FACTORY)... next step up is ELINE PERFORMANCE (drilled and slotted) for about $30 more... then, at their high end are their PREMIUM SERIES for about $50 more still. They're all made in the US. Company is in California. You can chat with them directly from their Ebay store page... very convenient... and they were helpful. Free shipping, too. I will try a pair of the Eline Factory for the rear... and jump a category up to the Eline Performance for the front. I'll report back after installation.

Sir Jag

 

Rotors are like oil -- everyone has an opinion. You will find that more and more replacements are made in China. US manufactures are now importing blanks from China and doing the milling in the US. I read an article that the casting of aftermarket blanks in the USA is almost non existent.

Years ago is was relatively easy to purchase rotors and know where they came from. Recently, I ordered a F/R Brembo set for an older Lexus - one set from Italy the other was from China. The Zimmerman set ordered for a Nissan both said "Germany" - that was nice to see. The Front Jaguar set was labeled as "Made in the UK".

Most luxury cars -- in fact most cars -- come supplied with pads that are on the softer side relative to the rotor hardness to maximize rotor life and provide smooth, quiet braking. Most people don't own an individual car long enough to see the differences the rotor/pad decision makes.

 

I have a set of four drilled and slotted ebay rotors on my 2003 Lincoln Avaitor. I installed them and the Posiquiet pads 3 years ago. So far I've put close to 50K on the set with no warp or premature wear issues.

I use this vehicle to tow my boat trailers that do not have brakes. The loaded trailers weigh over 3000 lbs and these brakes work like a charm. I've had a few panic stops yet was always able to stop in time.

I have another post somewhere in this forum where I gave more details of the additional vehicles that I have them on. I've bought about six sets of the ebay brakes/rotors for both my vehicles and a neighbors heavy duty F250. I've never been disappointed. I'll see if I can find the old thread.

 

Here's a link where I went into detail on post #3.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/j...-rotors-33060/

FWIW, when my XJ8 needs rotors I'll put the R1 Concepts rotors on.

Keep in mind that if you use the drilled and slotted you need to increase pedal effort due to the reduced braking surface area. It's not a problem for me, my wife or my neighbor but that's the one difference you will notice.

Also, pay the money for the Posiquiet Pads. They are what their name implies.

 

Personally -- I have never understood the drilled and or slotted rotors for street use -- unless needed for some unusual terrain where heat buildup has previously been observed to have affected the brakes.

I have rarely found long term improvement over OE on properly designed systems.

But its nice to know that you have been happy with them -- good price.

 

@ Yeldogt, I agree with the use of drilled and slotted discs, I think the main "benefit" is looks. I doubt a few ounces in weight saving makes a difference. For race applications it's about cooling. But racing life means the discs are changed a lot more frequently, holes in this situation lead to fracture points and then they're scrap.
I've read posts on the uk jag forum of guys having trouble with warping discs on the Brembo system - it's evident that drilled aren't the best rotors for normal street application.

I've made a switch in brake systems on my XJ from Brembo to Alcon calipers and discs. The discs have no drilling or slotting. The guy at Alcon said brake performance on a road car didn't need drilled discs in most cases unless it was raced to dump high temps quicker. I believe his comment, they supply F1, WRC, ALMS & Nascar teams.

The amount of times hard braking is required doesn't warrant drilled discs in my situation and the vast majority of normal drivers too - it's just a look of "performance". Better to spent a few bob' on proper cooling ducting. But even that is ok on the 308's, mine was missing on one side.

 

It always seemed to me that drilled and slotted discs or rotors would wear the pads out quicker, but maybe not. It's fun to watch the rotors glow red in road racing, but my rotors sure never get that hot anyway.

 

So--from all your replies (and thank you very much to those who have responded so far)--it seems like the general consensus is that drilled and slotted are really not nec. for normal street driving. Good. I'll put the savings elsewhere. I like the look of the drilled and slotted too... but how much of that can you see through a 2001 VDP's wheels anyway?

SirJag

 

Having owned the drilled/slotted and standard rotors I should clarify what I'll do and why when the Jag needs rotors.

I'd go with the stock smooth rotors because the slots add a growl noise under hard stops. I like how quiet and smooth the Jag is and would not want to upset that balance.

Only go with the drilled/slotted if you regularly warp rotors like me and my neighbor used to.