Is it reasonable to expect new rotors required at 70K miles? Non Brembo car

Would RockAuto "Centric" brand about $45 -$60 be reasonable quality

PS Were Brembos available on XK8's or just XKR's

 

70K miles is pretty a good life for front brakes. I think I did mine the first time at about 40K.

The answer is YES you can get Brembo parts to replace the XK8 OE stuff. I used the Brembo replacement rotors and found that their finish quality was way above average (and at only about 15% more cost).

Here are some details about the 2nd time I did my fronts. Interesting info there about brake pads and rotor thicknesses - there are differences!

Rears I did at 89K. Details here.

 

The upgraded "big brakes" kit was only offered by Jaguar on the XKRs. This is for the 4-piston calipers and bigger rotors all around. It is possible to upgrade the XK8s with such a kit, basically for the price of parts. The only "custom" work is to tap the XK8 uprights to fit the Brembo caliper bolts (the threads are on the caliper of the single piston XK8 calipers). Search "Brembo" on this forum to locate a couple of useful threads. Beware that if you procure calipers, only XKR and X308 XJR calipers fit. The cheaper (but similar-looking) S-type calipers do not fit. Welsh Ent. offers a complete front kit at a competitive price.

 

Unless you are a very "spirited " driver IMO there is no need to upgrade the standard XK8 brakes, The Rock Auto Centric "daily drivers" should be fine. Also 70K is pretty good life for any rotor.

 

I bought THIS set from eBay and was very satisfied... NO COMPLAINTS!

 

FWIW - I would not recommend switching to drilled/slotted rotors unless you know what you're in for.

I made the mistake of doing that on my 2005 VDP. The added harmonics during braking was way too noticeable - and annoying.

I agree with Barry that the standard brakes are more than enough for these cars. Centric is probably "just fine".

I do think that the Brembo replacement rotors are superior quality due to the powder coating of the centers and vanes. After several years mine still look good.

 

Wasn't looking to upgrade to Brembos. Looking at potential purchase of XK8 with 70K miles. Guessing it will need brakes and rotors since last front service only was at 35K

 

And you'll need to renew the brake fluid too.

 

I guess I am not being clear about my use of Brembo rotors.

It was not an upgrade unless you count better quality as an upgrade.

I did not replace calipers or change rotor diameter.

Most people do not know that Brembo makes replacement parts for the "non-Brembo" brakes on standard XK8s. Am trying to raise awareness of just that.

 

Rothwell

Thanks. I did not know that.

Re brake fluid flush I see Jag recommends every 2 years. Interesting that cars I owned in the 80's and 90's didn't recommend fluid flushes.

 

I still have my original rotors at about 104,000 miles. Note that this is with replacing the pads before they gouge the rotors and the car is garaged.
In your case, assume it will need pads and rotors especially if it wasn't garaged and well maintained.

 

The factory rotors remain on my wife's 2006 XK8 as well, now at 119,200 miles. I have replaced the front brake pads once and the rear brake pads once, both with Wagner ThermoQuiet pads (which I really like and install on all of our vehicles when brake pad replacement time rolls around). When this car was her daily driver from February 2012 until October 2018, she did mostly highway miles. Now as a toy, her XK8 driving is more of a 50/50 mix and the car will probably do around 1,500 miles per year for the remainder of our ownership....