I was at the Mazda Dealer yesterday for a oil change, The tech said that my front pads were at 3mm and the rear at 4mm. suggested to replaced pads. The dealer wanted $303 for front and $303 for rear, not including rotors. I declined. My car has 110,000 miles. I had all 4 rotors resurfaced and new brake pads installed about 4 years ago. Any recommendations on what rotors and pads to buy. How much should this complete job cost, should I do OEM or aftermarket ?
Recommendation for Brakes and rotors for a 2015 Mazda 6 Touring
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A lot of us here are (happily) running PowerStop rotors and/or pads. Some vouch to get the PowerStop rotors and Centric pads and have no issues either. You can get a full set for about $400: Amazon.com
I've had my PS setup on for about 80k miles with no complaints. Doing the work yourself isn't that bad tbh, depending on where you are and how much rust you've gathered. Having someone do it for you will probably be at least a few hundos on top of the cost of the brakes.
I've had my PS setup on for about 80k miles with no complaints. Doing the work yourself isn't that bad tbh, depending on where you are and how much rust you've gathered. Having someone do it for you will probably be at least a few hundos on top of the cost of the brakes.
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One decision I could have done but didn't...
Go better on brakes, turned rotors and got better pads but what basic R&R I did was not good enough IMO.
I'd go larger rotors if I'd do it again at least with better pads...
Because my wagon is heavy and parts are getting old('er), making an adjustment is always great 😁, maybe 60K later I'll 👍.
(What driving style and where do you drive normal, that'll be/should be the decision maker 👍 for you)
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You can't go to larger rotors without replacing a lot of stuff and that gets expensive fast. You also have to do both axles at once or you'll wildly unbalance what was originally designed -- possibly dangerously.
IMHO Z23 pads and, for the rotors, I'd spend for 100% coated, especially if you live where it snows. Centric is well-respected; I've got the PowerStop rotors on mine and like them plenty. Yeah, they're drilled and slotted so I can't have them turned but typically don't when it comes time to replace brakes anyway as there's no real money to be saved there anymore.
I liked the Z23s enough on my Mazda that I put them on my truck too and for anything in the future if they make the pads in the right size that's what I'm buying. I've never had them fade on me even when I've gotten them very hot, they are low dust, their initial bite even cold is quite good, they're very linear across the temperature spectrum and even when in very-aggressive use (e.g. on a truck that has nearly every mile with a 5k+ gross trailer behind it, that is, where they get USED) wear rates are low and very acceptable. I don't know what more you can reasonably ask out of a brake pad and their pricing is very reasonable.
If you want something that bites instantly when cold they're not going to be your favorite but I find those sorts of pads dangerous as they often wind up fading badly when hot and when I need brakes I need 'em NOW. Give me linear across the temperature spectrum even if I need to put a bit more pressure on the pedal when they're cold -- as long as there's more there than required to lock the wheels on dry pavement under all conditions IMHO linearity wins and the Z23s deliver in that regard.
IMHO Z23 pads and, for the rotors, I'd spend for 100% coated, especially if you live where it snows. Centric is well-respected; I've got the PowerStop rotors on mine and like them plenty. Yeah, they're drilled and slotted so I can't have them turned but typically don't when it comes time to replace brakes anyway as there's no real money to be saved there anymore.
I liked the Z23s enough on my Mazda that I put them on my truck too and for anything in the future if they make the pads in the right size that's what I'm buying. I've never had them fade on me even when I've gotten them very hot, they are low dust, their initial bite even cold is quite good, they're very linear across the temperature spectrum and even when in very-aggressive use (e.g. on a truck that has nearly every mile with a 5k+ gross trailer behind it, that is, where they get USED) wear rates are low and very acceptable. I don't know what more you can reasonably ask out of a brake pad and their pricing is very reasonable.
If you want something that bites instantly when cold they're not going to be your favorite but I find those sorts of pads dangerous as they often wind up fading badly when hot and when I need brakes I need 'em NOW. Give me linear across the temperature spectrum even if I need to put a bit more pressure on the pedal when they're cold -- as long as there's more there than required to lock the wheels on dry pavement under all conditions IMHO linearity wins and the Z23s deliver in that regard.
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If you read my Z23 pad review thread (in my sig), youd change your mind.
This. Even after getting coolant on my tires and rotors, and thusly the pads, they only required a little more pressure to burn it off after about an hours worth of driving, they were back to normal.
So I'm looking to replace the rotors on my 2015 Touring/GS, do you guys have a stronger recommendation out of the following three Centric rotors available from RockAuto?
C-TEK 12145096/12145085
Semi-Coated 12045084/12045085
GCX Elemental Protection; Fully Coated 32045084F/32045085F
C-TEK 12145096/12145085
Semi-Coated 12045084/12045085
GCX Elemental Protection; Fully Coated 32045084F/32045085F
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Ive already said the 120 Series.
Thanks for the added confidence with the 120 series. They are just more expensive than the 320 series on RockAuto at the moment, hence why I brought up the question.
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Not when they last as long as they are for me, read my Z23 pad review.
Thanks again, I revisited your Z23 pad review post.
On the other hand, any recommendation/comments with brake calipers for future reference? Centric makes remanufactured uncoated ones, whereas Ultra-Power makes new and coated ones. I believe Centric is part of Stoptech which is good, and I lean towards getting ones from them. I also used Powerstop's calipers in another vehicle, but they don't make calipers for our Mazda6. My understanding is that coated calipers are the preferable ones to go with.
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I have no issue with the stock calipers. If anything, id just rebuild them, or get the CX-9 calipers.
Interesting, the CX-9 calipers are direct bolt-on for the fronts?
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Yes, you just need new rotors obvs.
Awesome, this is certainly worth considering when replacing the front calipers.
As for new rotors, same size/spec Mazda 6 rotors would do, or we need to go larger? If larger, what is the recommended size for a direct swap without needing to modify the existing stock setup?
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They are CX-9 calipers, why would you think youd need 6 rotors if i told you youd need new ones?
Always better to confirm, wouldn't you say?
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Yes, if you put CX-9 calipers on the car, youd need CX-9 pads and rotors too.
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Dumb question here... but if you upgrade dia and presumably pad sq inch area (using CX9 cpts) are you then relying on the ABS system to balance frt/rear brake bias? The OEM cpts up frt are presumably balanced with the rear cpts, no?
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