TOP 10 best brake discs: how to choose and what types there are

Disc brakes are an important element of the braking system. While the car is moving, as a result of the friction of the brake discs on the pads, the car slows down. The materials from which disc brakes are made can withstand thermal stress and ambient pressure. For safe and confident operation, you need to choose high quality parts. When buying auto products, take into account their functionality, safety and efficiency.

Types of brake discs

Brake elements are distinguished by their type. Very often the driver makes a decision based selectively on their price. But high cost is not always an indicator of high quality.

1.Ventilated brake discs

They consist of two identical plates of the same diameter. The plates are connected to each other by jumpers with a small gap of approximately one centimeter. This design is needed to use jumpers as fan blades, the purpose of which is to dissipate heat when the engine is running. Ventilated brake elements provide braking performance even under heavy loads and heat. Their purpose is to cool the system while driving. Ventilated brake elements are installed at the front of the vehicle.

Perforated discs

They have many drilled holes on the surface. But the quality of their work is much lower than it seems. This is due to the presence of a special fastening substance in the composition, which disintegrates as a result of vehicle movement and the occurrence of high temperatures during friction. Perforated pads are usually used in old low-budget discs. When the bonding agent decomposes under the influence of hot air, a layer of gas is formed. The gas layer prevents friction between the pad and the disc, which occurs as a result of pressure between the working surfaces during engine operation.

The function of the holes on the pads is to remove this gas layer from the surface, as well as other substances formed during the operation of the brake pads.

Considering this purchase option from a budget point of view, using drilled and budget pads will not be entirely correct than pads and ventilated brake discs.

The disadvantages of perforated pads include:

slots on the discs reduce the area of friction and heat outflow, which has a negative effect, especially if you use more expensive pads;
holes lead to the appearance of potholes as a result of constant changes in temperature conditions during vehicle movement. This is due to the fact that when driving, the surface of the parts will heat up significantly more than the holes on it, which disables the car due to constant changes in temperature and on different surfaces.

Due to significant shortcomings, they are practically not used in cars. For cars that move around the city, this type of disc is used to attract attention to your car.

Serrated discs

They perform similar functions to perforated ones. The notches allow the pads to better cling to their edges. But this is rather a disadvantage if the driver bought an economy pad, since its service life can be significantly reduced, and the pad will break prematurely. Notched pads prevail over drilled ones, provided that they are used with expensive brake elements.

The service life of brake discs depends on how you drive them. There are no standards for the amount of mileage after which it is necessary to install new pads. If the driver practices a calm manner of movement, then the pads work properly when the car has driven more than 150,000 kilometers. If the brake pedal is often pressed to the floor, the discs wear out much faster and their critical level of wear is 20 - 30 thousand kilometers. On average, replacing the brake system will require a mileage of 60-120,000 kilometers.

The part must be replaced in other cases:

as a result of deformation that cannot be repaired;
the part contains cracks and chips measuring about 0.01 mm;
visible damage to a part as a result of exposure to high temperatures over a long period.

If the replacement is not made on time, this can lead to depressurization and leakage of brake fluid. The wear of a part is checked by its thickness. To examine it, use a caliper or a regular ruler. The results of the study are compared with normative ones. When measuring a disk, you need to take into account the presence of a shoulder.

What should you pay attention to when choosing brake discs?

Once the type has been selected, a number of nuances remain to be clarified. Diameter and thickness. Match the mounting holes on the disk and the hub.

The most common mistakes made when buying brake discs:

Driving style does not match the purchased model.
Buying an expensive disc with cheap pads. If the rotor material is hard, poor-quality pads or pads with friction material that differ in characteristics will quickly wear out. It is recommended to select both spare parts of the same price category, and preferably from the same manufacturer. This will ensure better compatibility, and the assembled mechanism will last longer.

How to choose a brake disc?

When choosing, you need to consider the following indicators:

type of pads;
driving style;
technical features.

For using average quality brake pads, domestic car brands are best suited. In addition, it is suitable for drivers who drive at low speeds, without particularly accelerating or braking sharply within the city. In this case, it is better to choose non-ventilated pads, without perforations.

If the driver loves speed, periodically making sharp brake presses during high-speed driving, it is better to purchase one with perforations or slots.

Durable material and disc design suitable for driving in extreme conditions.

The best solution would be to use the same brake pads, the same brands and the same class. This choice will provide the car owner with effective operation of this pair. As an example, if you choose expensive options with cheap pads, a situation may arise when either one of the elements or both may break while the car is moving.

You should choose a brake disc based not only on price, but also on its appearance. Considering it from a geometry perspective, it is known that the longer the disk in diameter, the better its heat dissipation function works. There are specific restrictions on diameter and thickness. A thicker part absorbs heat better and its heat transfer is stronger, as well as its ability to withstand high temperatures. For cars like SUVs, ventilated ones are suitable. This is due to the presence of air vents on their surface, which perform the function of brake cooling and improve braking.

Don't forget about the mounting dimensions of the brake element. They are different for different brands of cars. The size of the mounting disks and the location of the mounting holes influence its choice. Summing up the information, there is only one conclusion - the most unreliable are perforated pads, in second place are pads with notches, and ventilated pads take pride of place in the selection of durable and high-quality discs in all respects. Perforated ones should be used when the driver of the car practices moderate driving, without sudden braking, and his car has small dimensions. If, in the driver’s opinion, perforated pads decorate his car more than they play a braking role when the car is moving, then the choice is clear.

Rating of the best brake disc manufacturers for 2021

Budget and quality

Nipparts

Dutch company for the production of high quality spare parts for European cars, covering the largest part of the European market, selling parts that comply with TUV and ECE R90 certification documents. The company has significantly expanded its product range and has more than 16 thousand items, suitable for numerous Asian brands. Strict selection, regulation, numerous checks and diagnostics of work performance helped to significantly reduce the number of defective parts.

Brake elements produced by Nipparts are also in demand among Russian drivers.

Cost: 4700 rub./pair

Nipparts brake discs

Advantages:

good price-quality ratio of products;
characterized by a long service life;
provide the necessary timely braking, which is so important for any vehicle and traffic safety.

Flaws:

not detected.

Avantech

Replacement parts produced in factories by South Korean manufacturers are sold in secondary markets and supplied to the assembly lines of famous automobile giants Kia and Hyundai. This is already a guarantee of quality.

A distinctive feature is the price is half as low as similar products from competitors. Avantech brand brake discs undergo frequent testing, meeting all customer requirements, giving one hundred percent confidence in quality and safety level. This is a fact confirmed by long-term cooperation with the famous Mitsubishi Motors, tests in competitions on difficult racing tracks with obstacles.

The discs are made of heavy-duty cast iron steel with carbon additives, specially treated. dye that serves as reliable protection against damage.

Cost: 1900 rub./pair

Avantech brake discs

Advantages:

heavy-duty cast iron steel with carbon additives;
Stop and Go technology is used, guaranteeing strong adhesion of the pads with a minimum grinding period;
The brake discs produce silent rotation and vibration, which is a huge plus, adding popularity to the brand.

Flaws:

not detected.

Bosch

The German company, which produces building materials and home appliances, produces high-quality auto parts. Bosch devotes a huge amount of time to testing manufactured spare parts, testing and inspecting any unit made.

The German company not only sells retail, but is also a partner of the world's largest concerns: Nissan, Kia (Optima and Rio models), Hyundai (Solaris and Elantra), Renault Logan ", "Skoda Octavia".

Cost: 1100 rub./pair.

Bosch brake discs

Advantages:

low price;
Great for moving around city streets;
the model was created for European and Asian cars;
cooperation with global car manufacturers;
components are at a sufficient level and in good quality.

Flaws:

An emergency stop has a bad effect on the performance of the disks.

Nibk

A fairly new Japanese corporation on the market, it began operating in 1998 and is part of the well-known concern JNBK Corporation, specializing in the production of brake parts. The holding manufactures spare parts not only in Japan, but also has centers all over the world. The number of partner countries is very large; the partners are: Russia, America, Europe.

Often, Nibk wheels are found on the Solaris model, and on Russian brands, these are Grant or Priora. Complementary user reviews indicate the quality and low price of Japanese-made spare parts. You can’t expect anything else from a company that is one of the ten best in this particular production of parts.

Cost: 2900 rub./pair.

Nibk brake discs

Advantages:

a structured scheme of intermediary centers (with regards to Russian cities);
decent high quality;
democratic pricing (with some exceptions);
Compatible with all car brands.

Flaws:

none.

Ferodo

Brake discs from the British company Federal Mogul covered 95% of the entire European market for the production of auto parts. Our employees are engaged in the production of exclusively automotive braking systems with appropriate quality, which is the first priority of the manufacturer.

Everyone knows the difficulties with the clumsy, crude brake installed on sports cars and luxury alloy cars. The company coped with the task remarkably well, brilliantly solved this problem, and surprised us with the development of a series of COAT+ anti-corrosion discs.

The excellent company, known for its ideal products, also has decent price offers.

Cost: 2200 rub./pair.

Ferodo brake discs

Advantages:

practical price category with a fairly high quality factor;
widely represented on the market.

Flaws:

not available.

Top best brake discs in the mid-price category

This section of the rating presents the best brake discs that combine excellent performance and affordable prices.

BLUE PRINT

The company produces a huge number of a wide variety of spare parts for cars. Parts of this brand are primarily characterized by reliability, high quality and affordable cost. Such results were achieved due to the fact that most of the production is located in Japan. All spare parts are manufactured using new technologies. At every stage of production, parts are under strict control, so they always meet the highest requirements in all respects.

With brake discs from Blue Print, driving is safe and comfortable. In their production, only high-quality steel and modern technologies are used; the perforation features of these discs make it possible to increase the coefficient of adhesion, and, accordingly, reduce the braking distance even in emergency situations.

Cost: 4200 rub./pair.

BLUE PRINT brake discs

Advantages:

high-quality steel and modern technologies;
absence of vibration and extraneous noise when braking.

Flaws:

not available.

MASUMA

The production of auto parts of the Japanese brand Masuma is established in many countries around the world. Their factories are located in Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea. Parts from this manufacturer are characterized by an excellent ratio of high quality and low cost. Automotive alliances such as Nissan, Toyota, Honda and many others have been cooperating with the company for many years. A well-coordinated production process using modern technologies allows the company to reduce the amount of illiquid assets to 0.6%. This is the best indicator for the number of defective products.

In Russia, brake discs of this brand have gained enormous popularity due to the low cost and high reliability of the product. Their price differs significantly from the price tag for factory originals. However, this also increases the chance of acquiring a fake. To avoid this, you need to choose your supplier carefully.

Cost: 4800 rub./pair.

MASUMA brake discs

Advantages:

Production using modern technologies;
Discs are made only from high quality material.

Flaws:

not available.

SCHNEIDER

Brake discs from a German manufacturer are excellent for driving in extreme conditions. The design features of the spare parts make it possible to reduce the braking distance, reduce the influence of temperature changes, and also remove air from the friction zone of the pads on the disc.

Long-lasting discs go well with brake pads from Ferodo, as they also have increased wear resistance and a long service life. Moreover, excellent performance is maintained even during rough extreme driving. However, pads from other brands will also work here. The main thing is that they are sharpened specifically for extreme driving, since with this type of driving, a huge share of the load falls on the pads. The discs of the German manufacturer have a straight rib structure, through which a large air flow passes, due to which the discs are perfectly cooled.

Cost: 3600 rub./pair.

SCHNEIDER brake discs

Advantages:

suitable for extreme driving;
excellent cooling thanks to a combination of perforation and ventilation;
affordable price.

Flaws:

wheels are more suitable for racing.

LUCAS (TRW)

Once it was a separate company, today it is part of the huge TRW corporation. Auto parts are produced here exclusively for brake systems. Most of the products are supplied to the secondary market, but a small proportion of products still enter the VAG assembly line.

The brake discs of this brand differ from others in black color, and this coating relieves the user of surface lubrication, as well as the application of a special composition against metal corrosion to the discs. The range also includes models with increased thermal conductivity. These discs are very light, provide short braking distances and increased wear resistance.

Cost: 3000 rub./pair.

LUCAS (TRW) brake discs

Advantages:

rich assortment;
black coating;
a large share of production is shipped to the secondary market.

Flaws:

low operational capacity of disks.

BREMBO

Italian spare parts from Brembo have gained enormous popularity in the Russian market. Moreover, users fell in love with the brake discs of this manufacturer. They are perfect for VAZ cars. But drivers prefer to buy pads from NIBK. The auto parts manufacturer Brembo boasts a combination of high quality products and reasonable prices. The latest technologies introduced have made it possible to increase the wear resistance of working surfaces and, accordingly, increase their service life.

The company produces not only standard brake discs, but also parts for sports models. After their successful testing and application on sports cars, they enter the mass market.

Cost: 3700 rub./pair.

BREMBO brake discs

Advantages:

constant development of new technologies;
wide range of models;
presence of sports brake discs.

Flaws:

was not found.

Top best premium brake discs

This section of the rating contains expensive brands of brake discs, the cost of which is fully justified by the highest quality.

FREMAX

The Brazilian brand produces some of the best auto parts in the entire world market. The well-known Mitsubishi company cooperates with the company on an ongoing basis. Fremax is the official partner of the most popular racing events in Brazil. The manufacturer produces high-quality parts for car brake systems. Their safety, reliability and durability are due to the company’s enormous contribution to the development of new technologies, as well as complete control of all stages of spare parts manufacturing.

The manufacturer has created special packaging for the brake discs made of durable plastic, so the parts will not be damaged during transportation. Moreover, thanks to the introduction of Ready To Go technology, auto parts do not need to be degreased; they are already ready for installation. Undoubtedly, Fremax brake discs are one of the best options for the braking system of any car. All products from this manufacturer are characterized by safety, reliability and durability.

Cost: 5000 rub./pair.

FREMAX brake discs

Advantages:

Ready To Go technology;
Auto parts do not need to be degreased; they are already ready for installation.

Flaws:

not detected.

DBA

The brake discs of this manufacturer did not take first place in the rating only because their price is too high even for elite spare parts. Luxury parts are suitable for the brake system of any modern car. The company introduces the latest technologies into the production of discs, thanks to which the products boast ideal characteristics. One of the most powerful DBA technologies is Kangaroo Paw, which effectively cools disks, thereby significantly increasing their service life.

The parts are ideal for extreme driving. Moreover, the discs will wear out evenly after a rough ride, since there are both perforations and notches on their surface. The T-Slotted system is also used in their production. Everything contributes to excellent disc traction and effective braking, even if the car is driving in water.

Cost: 8090 rub./set.

DBA brake discs

Advantages:

efficient cooling of disks thanks to the Kangaroo Paw system;
The manufacturer has an impeccable reputation and produces high-quality products.

Flaws:

not detected.

ATE

The company is part of the huge Continental Automotive Systems corporation and produces auto parts only for brake systems. Thanks to its narrow specialization, the manufacturer successfully cooperates with a huge number of automobile brands. Parts are supplied to the assembly line of such well-known concerns as Audi, BMW, Ford, Skoda, Toyota.

The main source of pride for the ATE brand is the tuned brake discs. They can withstand heat up to 800 degrees. The manufacturer was able to achieve such results thanks to the special design of the disks. On their surface there are special grooves and grooves, with the help of which gases and water are effectively removed from the working surface, and all brake components are cooled.

Cost: 4900 rub./pair.

ATE brake discs

Advantages:

cooperation with many car brands;
supply of parts not only to the assembly line, but also to the secondary market;
short braking distance and high wear resistance.

Flaws:

not detected.

OTTO ZIMMERMANN

The German company began producing auto parts back in 1947. Already at that time it became famous for its high-quality products. However, despite the fact that the spare parts are luxury, their price is significantly lower than that of competitors in the same segment. The company is not known for its conservatism, so new technologies are regularly introduced into production. One striking example of this is the Sport series of brake discs. There are more than 500 models in this line, and all of them differ from each other thanks to modernization. Brake discs from this series are designed for extreme driving.

Most often, disc brakes of this brand can be found on cars of brands such as Opel or Volkswagen, as well as on Porsche supercars.

Cost: 4500 rub./pair.

OTTO ZIMMERMANN brake discs

Advantages:

huge range of models;
wide range of prices;
quite large market coverage.

Flaws:

not detected.

Problems of wrong choice

It is important to draw the attention of every driver to the fact that when choosing a disk, he should not focus only on its price, but also on quality, because the safety of him and his passengers depends on this. If the choice is made incorrectly, this will lead to the following consequences:

Waste of money and time. The reason is hidden in the wrong choice of pad for a particular type of machine: the wrong choice lies in the incorrect geometric proportions of the part or the wrong selection of mounting fasteners, which in turn leads to additional financial expenses and time for correcting errors.
Severely worn brake system. This occurs when the pads are of better quality than the brake disc. This leads to malfunctions in the steering part and the appearance of grooves in the discs.

How often do you need to change discs?

Each brake disc has a certain service life, upon exhaustion of which it should be replaced. It is usually indicated in the technical specifications. However, this is a non-static value, as it largely depends on the conditions of use and the type of pads.

It is necessary to change the TD ahead of time for the following symptoms:

beating of the steering wheel indicates incorrect installation of the disc or loss of its balance;
pads wear out quickly;
the braking distance increases - this is dangerous and fraught with an accident;
extraneous sounds or vibration when braking;
The disc was severely worn down - it lost several millimeters in width.

It is impossible to indicate the exact mileage when disc replacement is required for all cars. Usually this is 25-70 thousand kilometers.

Brembo

Italian brand for the production of brake systems for cars. The company owns nineteen disc production sites around the world, as well as four research and development laboratories. Wheels of this brand are popular among Russian car owners, especially among those who own a VAZ car. They have a big advantage - good wear resistance and a long service life.

The advantages of the Italian brand "Brembo" are:

Brembo has patented an invention in the form of a columnar ventilation system for PVT brake discs. Among the advantages of this braking invention is the ability to increase the disc cooling function, which automatically increases the strength of the system by almost half. This, in turn, extends its service life in comparison with disks mounted according to the classical ventilation scheme. Speaking in numbers, this is an additional 80,000 kilometers and even more.
Discs are painted using a special ultraviolet coloring technology. The use of this technology guarantees that the product is resistant to corrosive phenomena and atmospheric influences, while maintaining its appearance, beautiful metallic glossy shine and performing its functional duties over a long period. Using this technique, it became possible to install the disc without first removing the preservative oil.
The kit for the brake discs also includes the materials necessary to secure the discs - bolts, so that the driver does not need to waste time searching for them additionally.

Among the reviews on the Internet about the product, most of them are positive. Brake systems from the Italian company are intended primarily for sports cars, as well as for standard vehicles.

The original or a fake

Since the market segment representing automobile brake discs is very specific and at the same time extensive, even a sophisticated car owner may experience difficulties when faced with the need to choose the best product.

The number of brands specializing in the manufacture of parts and brake systems is very large, and their names will not always be well known to you. For example, Brembo, Zimmermann, TRW, NK, Textar, Remsa are the best manufacturers of brake discs, leaders in the segment. But the Delphi or Bosch trademarks are known to everyone, but, as you know, in this case you will have to pay, including for brand awareness. At the same time, names such as JapanParts, Kortex or Kamoka may be unknown even to experienced specialists.

In any case, faced with the need to purchase an AP, many motorists begin their search by filtering the information available on the Internet. Here you also need to have enough experience to be able to distinguish real reviews from customers and experts from custom ones, and among the latter, both positive and outright negative ones are equally common.

By and large, the difference in the quality of discs made by well-known and respected companies and new market players is often small, but here it is worth considering that the products of famous companies are mostly counterfeited. So the advisability of choosing a well-known brand is not always obvious.

And yet, a significant portion of potential buyers, regardless of the type of product, are suspicious of unknown names and prefer products about which no suspicion arises.

So the ability to distinguish an original from a fake is a very valuable quality, and we will try to instill it in you. But before that, you should consider what factors influence the degree of wear and changes in the geometry of the disc surface.

It is known that during braking the discs heat up very much, but as soon as we release the brake pedal, under the influence of the oncoming air flow they cool almost as quickly. Such sudden temperature changes are the main condition for deformation of the disk mirror, especially if it is made of not very high-quality material. As a rule, original products are made from cast iron, which is characterized by excellent friction parameters, high thermal conductivity and relatively low cost. Counterfeits are made from cast iron, which is characterized by low density and therefore less durable. This is one of the main differences between counterfeit discs and original discs. But, unfortunately, this cannot be determined visually - such checks are carried out exclusively in appropriately equipped laboratories.

According to the results of many independent market studies, today the volume of counterfeit brake discs reaches 40%, and this is a very serious indicator. To avoid being one of these forty percent, you should be able to recognize counterfeit products.

Visual differences

Pay attention to the surface of the TD. The original discs have special grooves along the edges, designed to increase the strength of the product, and their manufacturing method involves casting blanks, which are subsequently subjected to final processing by turning. Counterfeits, as a rule, are made only by casting, without undergoing any additional processing.

Another possible sign that makes it possible to distinguish whether this is an original or a fake is the thickness of the TD. On fakes, the disc mirror walls are usually noticeably thinner.

The bulkheads inside the disk of the original are processed very high quality, which is reflected in a smooth transition from the walls to the bulkheads. For fakes, edges are clearly visible, indicating the quality of the casting.

Another proven way to distinguish a counterfeit is to estimate the weight of the product, which in this case will be 15-30% less due to the same material savings. So if you weigh your rims before purchasing and compare them to a reference weight, this information can be very valuable.

However, there is an easier way to save yourself from such risks - buy APs only from official dealers of your favorite brand or service centers. Yes, in this case you will have to overpay a little, but this is a small price to pay for a guarantee of authenticity.

It may well happen that there is neither a large service center nor an official dealer in your city. In this case, the purchase should be made at a car dealership that is trusted by the majority of citizens.

After all, a quality product is always marked with a product code. It can be checked on the manufacturer's website.

For those potential buyers who are frankly poorly versed in the huge variety of brands, the question of which brake discs are better is a priority. We have prepared for them a small selection of the ten best brake disc manufacturers, representing all price segments.

NiBk

All pads and brake discs are made of high carbon steel. Each of them is coated with an anti-corrosion agent, the main component of which is a titanium-ceramic alloy (designed for sports cars). There are also the usual standard discs with slots on the surface, the main material for the manufacture of which is an organic-based composition without metal alloys. There are also perforated brake discs.

The company's products are suitable for both foreign and domestic car brands. The company's brake systems can also be found on Korean car brands, and among domestic cars they are used on Priora, Kalina, and Grant. The company's products are of high quality, and the price is acceptable for every car enthusiast - within one and a half thousand rubles. Therefore, if you are planning to buy brake elements, then NiBk products are an excellent choice.

What types of brakes are there?

Drums

The very first design, used for more than a hundred years. Of course, over the years of development of the automobile industry, many changes have been made to it, but the principle itself has remained the same.

The drum mechanism is fixed to the wheel hub. It is covered on top with a protective casing or brake drum, which protects the components from dirt and small particles. Inside there is a brake cylinder, an expansion bar that drives the pads, and the pads themselves on springs. When you press the pedal, pressure is created in the system. Under its action, pistons extend from the cylinder, which press on the pads. They, in turn, are pressed against the inner surface of the brake drum, slowing down its rotation until it stops completely.

This type of brake is cheaper to manufacture than disc brakes.

They are less susceptible to aggressive external environments, dirt, salt mixture, and small stones due to the fact that the mechanism is closed.

For this reason, only this type of brake is used on construction and military equipment today. This is not to say that they are completely sealed, but they withstand harsh operating conditions much better.

The disadvantage of the drum mechanism is its tendency to overheat due to the fact that the mechanism is poorly ventilated. Another disadvantage is the uneven wear of the brake pads; the front pad in the mechanism wears out faster, and they are replaced as an assembly.

There is another unpleasant moment - freezing of the pads to the drum. This happens infrequently, and mainly when the quality of the friction lining material is poor, but it causes discomfort.

Disk

The type that replaced the previous generation of braking systems. They are characterized by higher efficiency and reliability.

Disc brake device

Disk. It is made of metal, most often cast iron. Fixed on the wheel hub with bolts.
Caliper. Cast iron or aluminum body made of two parts. One is fixedly fixed, the second has free movement. They are connected to each other by guide bushings.
Cylinders. They consist of a housing within which a piston moves. When pressure is applied to the cylinder, the piston moves, acting on the brake pad.
Pads. Metal plate with friction linings. The mechanism has a pair of pads. One is attached to the stationary part of the caliper - the second, opposite it, on the moving part. When you press the brake pedal, pressure is created in the cylinder and the piston presses the pads against the brake disc, slowing its rotation until it stops completely.

The main spare parts that are subject to wear and need periodic replacement are pads and brake discs.

Pads wear out faster, cost less, and are relatively easy to replace. On average, the service life of the pads ranges from 25 to 50 thousand kilometers. This discrepancy in numbers is due to many reasons - operating conditions, driving style, product quality.

Discs have a longer service life. The manufacturer, as a rule, does not explicitly indicate the service life, since it also depends on many factors that cannot be identified in advance. On average, according to the experience of motorists and service technicians, this figure is 150 thousand kilometers or more.

Signs of wear coincide with drum brakes:

Beating in the steering wheel;
Increased braking distance;
Increased brake fluid consumption (If the surface is worn away, the cylinder has to extend the pistons further, which can lead to a violation of the tightness of the mechanism and leakage of fluid).

Signs of wear can be determined visually by measuring the thickness indicated by the manufacturers. If it is less than recommended, this is an absolute sign that it’s time to worry about buying new ones.

Also, indications for replacement are deformation of the surface of the product, the appearance of chips or cracks along its edges. You can sharpen problem areas on a machine, but such a decision is best made together with a car service technician, and the repair will not always be effective.

It is much more difficult to replace a brake disc; this will require a visit to the service center, so the choice of this spare part must be approached with all responsibility.

Ferodo

Brake discs from this manufacturer occupy almost 100% of the European market for automotive parts manufacturers. Very often, Ferodo products are used as a replacement, as an analogue of similar products, or as original products. If you use the original, you can be convinced of the excellent quality from Ferodo. In this regard, they are installed mainly on expensive foreign cars, but the cost of the product is affordable, so you can safely buy it for domestic cars.

The company produces only parts for the car brake system - pads, drums, hydraulic parts, etc. They can also be used in domestic vehicles and sports cars. Another direction of the Ferodo company is conducting various scientific research, as a result of which it is studying the developed materials.

Top 10 disc manufacturers

When choosing the best certain products, the “First in Tires” website always focuses on tests conducted by authoritative publications in its field. However, in the case of such a popular and vital product as brake discs, not a single authoritative automotive publication has conducted tests for a very long time. There are results of tests of brake discs 7 years old and older, which were carried out by little-known publications (,). But today there is no point in relying on their results.

Therefore, when choosing the Top 10 best brake discs, the First in Tires website is guided by two criteria - the class of the spare part and the cost. For a correct cost comparison, all wheels were selected for one car.

For example, the top 10 best brake discs for one of the most popular models - Hyundai Solaris - will look like this:

ATE (“premium” class 2300rub)
Zimmermann (“premium” class 2300 RUR)
EBC (“premium” class, 4100 rubles)
Valeo (“middle” class 1300 RUR)
Lucas (“middle” class 1300 RUR)
Bosch (“middle” class 1400 RUR)
Ferodo (“middle” class 1500r)
Nibk (“middle” class 1700 RUR)
Brembo (“middle” class 1800r)
Textar (“middle” class 1800 RUR)
Fenox (“economy” class 1100r)

ATE

The company develops and produces automotive brake parts. The organization cooperates with well-known car manufacturers, including Audi, Skoda, Ford, Toyota, BMW, VAZ and others. Cooperation with famous brands did not happen just like that, because the products are high quality.

Among ATE's most famous achievements is the release of the famous Powerdisk series. Their main and main advantage is that they are quite resistant to temperature changes that occur during braking - about +800. The main material for their manufacture is alloy cast iron. Experience shows that the company's brake products are best used on racing cars. The company's products are of high quality. The price of the products is acceptable both for car owners of expensive cars and for owners of budget car brands.

The best drives in the budget segment

Bosch

Although this brand is associated with quality and high prices, only the first statement can be called fair when it comes to brake discs. Being a well-known manufacturer of power tools, a wide range of consumer goods, as well as premium household appliances, this German concern also successfully copes with the production of auto parts. At the same time, the production process itself is characterized by the same careful adherence to all the requirements of the production process with multi-stage quality checks.

The quality of auto parts under the Bosch brand is evidenced by the fact that they are very often used by automakers. Thus, the Renault concern uses German auto parts in the Megane/Logan models, Skoda in the popular European Fabia/Octavia models, Kia in the Optima/Rio, Hyundai in the Solaris/Elantra, Nissan in a large number of models.

Inexpensive German brake discs will be ideal for car owners with a relaxed driving style. But if you like to brake hard, the results may not be impressive. But the relatively low cost more than compensates for this drawback. As for reliability, German manufacturers are keeping their mark here - you are unlikely to contact a car service center about the next replacement ahead of schedule.

NiBK

Japanese products also do not need recommendations - in terms of the level of attitude towards compliance with production technology, companies from the Land of the Rising Sun are not much inferior to the Germans.

If you ask yourself which brake discs in the lower price segment are better, then the Japanese will clearly not be last on the list, because in this case we are dealing with a well-known manufacturer specializing specifically in parts of car brake systems. In particular, NiBK brake discs are installed in Hyundai Solaris. Domestic car owners, owners of Lada Granta/Priora, also very often install the TD of this Japanese brand in the budget price class. Featuring good quality and full compliance with safety requirements, brake discs of this brand are considered one of the best on the market. With an average price in domestic auto stores of about 1,500 rubles, these wheels are simply bound to be in demand, as evidenced by numerous positive customer reviews.

Ferodo

The British are not yet able to compete with the Germans in the car market, but when it comes to brake discs, the situation is not so pessimistic. Largely thanks to the products of Ferodo, which is a division of the more famous brand, Federal Mogul. The concern's specialization is brake system components of the highest quality, which can be seen on a large number of European-assembled cars.

The company's products include the COAT+ line of discs, which are characterized by the presence of an anti-corrosion coating and the ability to resist uneven wear.

In Russia, the average cost of a Ferodo TD is about 1,700 rubles, which makes it possible to install them on budget cars. According to available data, the British manufacturer's products cover at least 95% of the market.

Otto Zimmermann

The Otto Zimmermann brand develops brake systems, including discs, mainly for German car brands. Automotive products from Otto Zimmermann are represented by more than three thousand models. Products are divided into segments for premium cars and budget brands.

For example, wheels that are cheaper in price and quality are intended for Volkswagen and Opel cars, but there are offers for high-end cars - Bugatti and Porsche. The company positions itself in the market as a manufacturer of premium products.

If among the wide variety of automotive products you come across automotive products from the Otto Zimmermann company, then it is definitely worth buying. After all, the brand guarantees high quality, service life, and an affordable price.

Zimmermann

Rating: 4.5

If you are interested in replacing the brake system, quite decent options can be found among budget models, which include Zimmermann . Original wheels cost a lot of money (not everyone can afford them), but the modern market offers us worthy replacements for original spare parts.

Zimmermann wheels are cheaper than the original, but are not much inferior in quality. They have minimal wear and excellent braking. There are no creaks, and all steering wheel beats disappear after installing the discs - this is what the owners say. One of the main advantages is the anti-corrosion coating.

Lucas TRW

The company produces automotive brake products. Almost half of the material produced is intended for used cars. There are several models of wheels that the company produces for medium-budget cars in original quality.

Among the offerings on the brake systems market, Lucas TRW products have the original black color with a glossy surface. Almost the entire range of products is designed for use in budget car brands. The price for this range is low, so they are also available to domestic car enthusiasts. The brake elements have excellent thermal conductivity.

Disadvantages include the relatively short lifespan of discs based on reviews from Internet users. But this is a controversial issue, because the service life can be sharply reduced if the driver prefers to drive the car at a fast pace.

BOSCH

This company is known all over the world for its wide range of automotive products and various development tests. The products are intended both for the secondary market and for European and Asian cars in their original presentation.

Among the advantages:

Large selection of wheel models for different cars of the secondary and primary market.
An excellent combination of quality and price. Most products are designed for buyers with a medium and low budget.
Availability of purchasing brake parts for everyone.

The BOSCH company has its representative offices all over the world, including in Russia. Among the numerous reviews, there are many where car enthusiasts claim that products manufactured in Russian factories are of low quality. Also, according to them, driving with such discs is only possible within the city at low speeds, because extreme driving has shown the poor quality of the braking system from BOSCH.

We choose a wheel rim for a car according to all the rules

Even a novice driver understands that not every wheel fits a particular car. To choose a disk that is optimally suited for a particular machine, you need to carefully study its parameters. Let's look at the most important of them.

Vehicle manufacturer

Before starting sales, any wheel manufacturer is obliged to conduct tests, certify the model and thereby confirm the safety of using its design. Therefore, the name of the manufacturer does not necessarily have to be decisive when choosing a wheel. However, there may be nuances here. Therefore, before buying, it makes sense to read reviews on the Internet, perhaps talk with your neighbors in the parking lot if their cars have wheels from the same manufacturer. It happens that factory wheel caps fit loosely on the rim of another manufacturer, but dangle when driving. Accordingly, driving on new wheels with such caps is not recommended.

How to choose the rim width

Select the rim width from the range specified in the vehicle's owner's manual. A wider-than-permissible rim with a large tire can cause the wheels to hit the suspension or body parts. If not when turning with a large radius on a flat surface, then on an uneven road while moving in the wheel arch simultaneously with a turn.

If you already have tires, then you need to choose the width of the rim to match their width. Each tire width is associated with a number of rim sizes. If you choose the widest rim from this range, the tire's contact patch with the road will be wider, and it will cling to the road better. However, in this case, the tire will become easier to break through and press weaker against the edge of the rim, which is fraught with loss of tightness on uneven roads when the pressure in the tire is below normal.

On a narrow rim, the tire holds onto the edge of the rim more tightly, but at the same time its grip on the road is worse, and it “breaks” more easily under the influence of lateral forces in a turn. It should be understood that the differences we are talking about are minimal and practically unnoticeable during normal operation, since they are all within the limits allowed by the manufacturer.

What does the rim design affect?

When purchasing rim designs, experimentation is not appropriate, especially when using tubeless tires. We don't want the tire to fly off the rim at full speed. We select the rim in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

The main dimensions of the rim - its width and bore diameter - are selected in strict accordance with the tire parameters

Allowable disc overhang

The offset has a positive value when the rim is shifted from the mating plane into the vehicle. Often, tuning enthusiasts choose wheels with smaller offsets, even negative ones. They believe that this makes the car look “cooler” because the larger track makes it more stable when cornering. This is partly true, but you need to understand that car designers choose wheel offset for a reason.

The position of the middle plane of the rim relative to the steering axis of the wheel determines the “rolling shoulder” - a very important parameter in the context of car handling. By reducing the wheel offset, we increase the rolling shoulder, which increases the force on the steering wheel, the impact on the steering wheel when one wheel hits a bump, the load on the steering tips and the suspension.

The wheel hub is designed for a certain offset, so changing it in one direction or the other has a bad effect on the durability of the hub bearing. And just as in the case of a large tire width, the wheel may touch vehicle parts.

The wheel offset must strictly comply with the factory recommendations or be very close to it.

How to calculate the load capacity of a disk

We find the factory data plate on the car and look at it for the maximum permissible axle load. From these, we select the axle with the highest load and divide the load figure in half. This is the minimum wheel load capacity that is suitable for your vehicle. You can take a disk with a higher load, but it is unacceptable to use a lesser one. It’s also not worth purchasing a disk with a load capacity that significantly exceeds what you need, because it is heavier, which means it puts more stress on the chassis and increases fuel consumption. And, logically, it costs much more.

How to determine PCD diameter

The diameter of the holes for the mounting bolts in the disk must clearly correspond to the diameter in the hub. Even if the difference seems insignificant to you, do not neglect it. Perhaps, with a slight discrepancy, the bolts can be tightened without problems, but due to uneven pressure on the edge of the hole, they will weaken very quickly. Losing a wheel while driving is an inevitable accident and often with very serious consequences.

Why is it important to choose the correct DIA size?

The diameter of the central hole is no less important than the previous parameter. Almost all passenger car wheels are designed in such a way that the load from the wheel to the hub is transmitted through the central hole. The bolts serve to fix the wheel and transmit braking force and torque if the wheel is driven. Even a slight mismatch of diameters in the fit of the wheel on the hub will lead to wheel runout. The holes will become loose, the bolts will weaken, and again nothing good awaits us.

EBC Brakes

This UK company produces expensive brake discs. The entire presented list of parts is divided into the following categories:

The main purpose is for Japanese cars that can accelerate to high speeds. Among them are such brands as Subaru, Honda, Infiniti. Products in this category are of very high quality, and therefore their prices are also high. In addition to price and quality, the big advantage of Turbgroove products is their high wear resistance. The discs have notches and perforations.

This company's automotive products are suitable for use in high-end brands of sports cars.
Designed for mid-segment and premium car enthusiasts.

The discs have a smooth surface, so it is necessary to use brake pads with them. The service life under various situations and conditions of use of the car is significantly longer than that of other brands.

Which drive should I choose?

Conventionally, all brake discs can be divided into three categories based on price:

Economy These are usually non-ventilated one-piece models. Optimal for leisurely driving in the city and beyond, without sudden acceleration and frequent extreme braking.

Middle price segment. Ventilated products, perforated parts. Allows you to brake more efficiently and reliably even in difficult weather conditions.

Premium segment. Expensive ventilated parts with holes, notches, and their combinations. Suitable for aggressive driving at high speeds.

Separately, it is worth mentioning composite models made of ceramics and carbon. These models show excellent heat resistance and high braking performance. Used in motorsports. Due to their high cost, they can be classified as expensive exotics.

FREMAX

Brazilian brand of brake components for cars. FREMAX is the main supplier of Mitsubushi brand parts. The company's products are of high quality, which is associated with constant quality control by representatives of the organization at all stages of its production.

In addition, FREMAX works on innovative projects and their implementation, constantly investing in the development and implementation of braking elements. Products are delivered in unique plastic packaging with a valve. The disc is ready for installation, even without the use of degreaser.

Advantages of FREMAX:

long period of use;
safety;
ease of installation;
wear resistance;
reliability and service life.

The price is acceptable for any segment of buyers, although the parts are manufactured according to high-quality developments and technologies.

SCHNEIDER

Products for the braking system of German brands of racing cars. Brake discs are designed for drivers who like to drive at high speeds.

Composed of a ventilation and perforation system, this significantly reduces the impact of temperature changes during movement and their friction, and also removes unnecessary gases that form in the friction area of discs and pads.

A characteristic feature of SCHNEIDER discs is their ribbed structure for an optimal air flow path.

Advantages:

air flow in one direction;
the ability to quickly accelerate the car;
lifetime;
exposure in an aggressive environment.

The product also has disadvantages:

discs accelerate wear of brake pads;
When driving around the city, it is impossible to fully exploit the capabilities of the braking system.

The cost is set at 3,700 rubles.

How not to run into a fake

At the moment there are many fakes of original products. Counterfeits can also be found for expensive products from well-known world brands and for products in the middle and even economy segments. To minimize the purchase of pirated goods, you need to listen to several tips on this matter:

Make purchases only in trusted and reliable stores, which primarily value their reputation. It is best to avoid shopping in dubious stores, despite the beautiful advertising.
Before purchasing a disc, you must carefully inspect its surfaces.
If the disc is original, it doesn’t matter what the price is set for it, it has markings from the factory. As a rule, it is embossed or engraved on its non-working surface. If it is not there, then it is a fake.

Expensive wheels have a mark and serial number from the manufacturer. Their originality can be checked in the manufacturer's database using its serial number.

Please note that counterfeit products last significantly less, which can be dangerous for the life of the driver and his passengers while driving.

How to avoid buying a fake?

The more popular a brand is, the more likely it is that its products will be counterfeited. Moreover, unscrupulous manufacturers most often imitate disks in the middle price category.

To minimize the risk of buying a fake, you should listen to the following tips:

Make purchases in specialized stores with an excellent reputation. The longer a retail outlet exists, the more reliable it is.
Carefully inspect the surface of the disc before purchasing. Branded models always have an ideal surface.
Look for the markings that the manufacturer puts on their products. Even budget models are required to be marked. The stamp is knocked out from the back of the working surface. The absence of markings indicates that you are holding a fake.
If you purchase premium discs, they must have serial numbers. They are easily checked against a common database to make sure that what you see is 100% original.

Counterfeits not only cost less than what you would pay for them, but also have characteristics that are far from those declared by the real manufacturer. They wear out quickly and are potentially dangerous, since they do not guarantee full performance of their functions on the road.