2018 Subaru Forester 2.5 Premium brakes brand recommendations

[BISCUT]

From the latest reviews, that is my impression. I think this is why they are the cheapest. Which napa ones are you riding?

I have Platinum pads and rotors all 4 points in f150 and now the OB. Another winter will say a lot on durability. Stopping power is good but not anything performance related.

 

[Rand]

Do you know what those Hybrid Technology Brake Pads mean?

just marketing really here is a picture summary.

Of the 4 sets mentioned one was akebono ceramic pads.. they were ok but IIRC (8 years ago) they required the most grinding on the pad ears to fit.. Which I felt was odd as they make the oem pads they should have perfect fit for this application.

For this reason I'd consider spending extra on pads to get OEM which I felt were ok.. and should fit perfect after clearing up the rust on the brackets and using new hardware.

Rotors.. Pick something coated so the rotor vanes and hat dont rust up .. nothing helps with the actual rotor surface as the pads take it down to bare metal after 1 day.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

My couple sets of Raybestos 3 pads have been VERY disappointing for life. They worked good but fastest wearing I pretty much ever had recently. Many here recommended The E3's prior and happy with them. Some of their opinions and experienced changed as mine have.

Mine that wore out quickly have been replaced with PowerStop, and Autozone Elite based on timing/availability.

CRV Brakes 29k/3 years

 

[LmG7119]

just marketing really here is a picture summary.
View attachment 243592


Of the 4 sets mentioned one was akebono ceramic pads.. they were ok but IIRC (8 years ago) they required the most grinding on the pad ears to fit.. Which I felt was odd as they make the oem pads they should have perfect fit for this application.

For this reason I'd consider spending extra on pads to get OEM which I felt were ok.. and should fit perfect after clearing up the rust on the brackets and using new hardware.

Rotors.. Pick something coated so the rotor vanes and hat dont rust up .. nothing helps with the actual rotor surface as the pads take it down to bare metal after 1 day.

What do you think about combo I posted?

 

[LmG7119]

My couple sets of Raybestos 3 pads have been VERY disappointing for life. They worked good but fastest wearing I pretty much ever had recently. Many here recommended The E3's prior and happy with them. Some of their opinions and experienced changed as mine have.

Mine that wore out quickly have been replaced with PowerStop, and Autozone Elite based on timing/availability.

CRV Brakes 29k/3 years

What about combo PAGID pads and RAYBESTOS Element3; Coated Rotors I posted?

 

[LmG7119]

just marketing really here is a picture summary.
View attachment 243592


Of the 4 sets mentioned one was akebono ceramic pads.. they were ok but IIRC (8 years ago) they required the most grinding on the pad ears to fit.. Which I felt was odd as they make the oem pads they should have perfect fit for this application.

For this reason I'd consider spending extra on pads to get OEM which I felt were ok.. and should fit perfect after clearing up the rust on the brackets and using new hardware.

Rotors.. Pick something coated so the rotor vanes and hat dont rust up .. nothing helps with the actual rotor surface as the pads take it down to bare metal after 1 day.

"Of the 4 sets mentioned one was akebono ceramic pads.." Which one? CENTRIC 90947520 OE Coated; Semi-Coated Rotors and Posi-Quiet Pads??

 

[Rand]

"Of the 4 sets mentioned one was akebono ceramic pads.." Which one? CENTRIC 90947520 OE Coated; Semi-Coated Rotors and Posi-Quiet Pads??

The 4 sets I mentioned. IE I said I did the brakes 4x on a 2013 outback.
z23 powerstop, akebono proact ceramic, raybestos element 3 "now with EHT" or whatever the current marketing is.
and 4th was EBC greenstuff... going from memory.

You are overthinking it.. buy some parts using information given,
if you dont like em...buy something else next time.

If you want perfect pad fitment without any filing of the pad ears you might want to buy OEM pads.

I've used centric before but they were very budget.. might be different now.

 

[The Critic]

I've NOT had good results with Powerstop Rotors on my 17 OB. I'm in the Northeast and often travel to VT & NH in the winter. I've had 2 sets of Powerstop rotors (both coated) rust out really fast. I'm running NAPA Plat pads and rotors this time around and so far so good. Will know more after this winter. I've used Powerstop for a while but it seems to me the product is not as robust as it once was.

I'm with you on the dealer pads.

If you're referring to the evo coated rotors, thanks for confirming my suspicion that they're not real Geomet.

 

[LmG7119]

I think the 293mm is the 2.5 non-turbo and 316mm is for the XT turbo, so you probably have the 293mmm front rotors

Powerstop coated rotors are awesome

For you, it would be part #JBR1165EVC for the front and JBR1548EVC for the rear

Pair them with Pagid Silver ceramic pads, part numbers 355035601 for the front and I think it's 355035571 for the rear. Pagid lists two different part numbers for the rear depending on whether the rear brakes are from Akebono or NBK; so I looked up the part numbers on Subaru's parts site, and the OEM part number crossed to the number I listed.

And remember, don't forget the 5% discount code

What is the difference? I assume those are rear.

PAGID 355035571 Pagid Silver; Includes Clips & Shims

PAGID 355035591 Pagid Silver; Includes Clips & Shims

​

 

[CarbonToast]

I'm looking for new rotors and pads for 2018 Forester premium 2.5
Rock Auto has black-coated rotors vs geomet-coating ones.
I live in the north Midwest. Do not drive much but want to make sure rust does not get to rotors too fast.
Something like POWER STOP CRK6082 vs CENTRIC 90947014 OE Coated(semi-coated) that have black centerpieces vs RAYBESTOS 1114H981787E3 Element3; Coated Rotors With Hybrid Technology Brake Pads. Have no clue what those "hybrid" pads are or mean.
PowerStop are the cheapest $240.59-65(rebate) total 175.59
RAYBESTOS front and rear set 246.29 total
CENTRIC set is 312.06 total
I used to use Zimmermann on my German cars. Those were just zinc-coated but I don't think they make any for foresters.
Any recommendation? I don't really like to go THE cheapest route.

Also. Rockauto shows sizes for my forester. Does my 2.5 Premium need 293mm vs 316mm size?

I just did my 2015 Forester with Bosch Ceramic Pads and Bosch Coated Rotors. Probably 4k miles on them. They are excellent. Also, really good fit and finish.

 

[BISCUT]

If you're referring to the evo coated rotors, thanks for confirming my suspicion that they're not real Geomet.

I sure did not get the expected result so I'd say no!

 

[D60]

You are overthinking it.. buy some parts using information given,
if you dont like em...buy something else next time.

This. These cars aren't that heavy and they're certainly not that powerful. Buy something decent and have brakes that work. Not sure you can hope for much more, and IMO the SJ brake systems work pretty well, generally speaking

If OP were tracking the car or something it might matter more.

We may have entered analysis paralysis....

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What is the difference? I assume those are rear.

PAGID 355035571 Pagid Silver; Includes Clips & Shims

PAGID 355035591 Pagid Silver; Includes Clips & Shims

​

one is if your rear brakes are NBK and the other if they're Akebono. It's possible that the non-turbos were supplied by NBK, while the turbos were supplied by Akebono. The turbo also has vented discs in the rear, while your non-turbo's rear discs are solid.

I entered the 2018 Forester 2.5 in Subaru's parts site, and the OE part number it gave crosses to the -5571 for the Pagid pads.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If you're referring to the evo coated rotors, thanks for confirming my suspicion that they're not real Geomet.

I've NOT had good results with Powerstop Rotors on my 17 OB. I'm in the Northeast and often travel to VT & NH in the winter. I've had 2 sets of Powerstop rotors (both coated) rust out really fast. I'm running NAPA Plat pads and rotors this time around and so far so good. Will know more after this winter. I've used Powerstop for a while but it seems to me the product is not as robust as it once was.

I'm with you on the dealer pads.

Do you guys think Bosch Quietcast rotors are worth trying? Bosch also claims these to be real Geomet

Unfortunately, the rear Bosch rotors are out-of-stock on RA. The part number for the rear Bosch rotors is 48011655

Rock Auto doesn't have any other Geomet rotors for this car, so for the rear, you might be better off with Wagner's E-coated rotors, which ship from the same warehouse as the Bosch rotors for the front. Of course, another option is to buy the rear Bosch rotors elsewhere.

 

[BISCUT]

Do you guys think Bosch Quietcast rotors are worth trying? Bosch also claims these to be real Geomet

Unfortunately, the rear Bosch rotors are out-of-stock on RA. The part number for the rear Bosch rotors is 48011655

Rock Auto doesn't have any other Geomet rotors for this car, so for the rear, you might be better off with Wagner's E-coated rotors, which ship from the same warehouse as the Bosch rotors for the front. Of course, another option is to buy the rear Bosch rotors elsewhere.

I wish I could accurately answer you. Years past I bought a lot of Bosch parts for many vehicles and they were quality. I found their quality me a few years ago and haven't used Bosh much. I did purchase front/rear set of Bosch Quitecast pads on a sale hat had them $20 per pair. They have been on my kids RAV4 for about 8k miles and If I could get them for the Outback for $20 a paid, I'd buy them!

 

[LmG7119]

Do you guys replace pins or just inspect them? I have 55k miles.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Do you guys replace pins or just inspect them? I have 55k miles.

Usually I regrease them but don't always replace them