Duralast Elite w/ Gold Rotors vs Bosch Quietcast Combo

[iCurious]

I’m looking for a brake setup that prioritizes:

Good modulation
Firm pedal feel
Strong, consistent stopping power
Smooth and quiet operation

This is for daily-driven Toyota and Honda SUVs/Vans.

I’m currently considering:

Bosch QuietCast pads and rotors
Duralast Elite pads paired with Duralast Gold rotors

I understand the Bosch setup is significantly less expensive, but I’m willing to pay more if it results in noticeably better modulation and pedal feel.


For those who have used them, how do they compare in terms of:

Brake modulation and control
Pedal firmness/feedback
Initial bite vs progressive braking feel
Overall smoothness and noise

Real-world experiences would be really helpful.

 

[The Critic]

Duralast doesn't have in-house manufacturing. They use different suppliers by region and sometimes by part number for fulfillment. What you receive today may not be what you receive 6 months from now. Similar story with a lot of these brake pad brands.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

Wagner E-Coat Brake rotors with Raybestos Element 3 EHT pads make a good combo

 

[iCurious]

Duralast doesn't have in-house manufacturing. They use different suppliers by region and sometimes by part number for fulfillment. What you receive today may not be what you receive 6 months from now. Similar story with a lot of these brake pad brands.

What if I told you the Duralast are made in Mexico and the Quietcast are made in China. Which would you choose?

 

[iCurious]

Wagner E-Coat Brake rotors with Raybestos Element 3 EHT pads make a good combo

For now, I am going with the options listed.

 

[The Critic]

What if I told you the Duralast are made in Mexico and the Quietcast are made in China. Which would you choose?

Country of origin doesn’t have any impact on my decision.

 

[14Accent]

Recent posts on this very forum indicate Bosch manufactures the Duralast line for AZ, so I think the big question is: do you want to pay full retail for a set of pads that are manufactured by the same company who's pads are sold on RockAuto for 1/2 the price?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

You never know what suppliers the house brands are using or what quality they are

The best pedal feel I've experienced is the EBC Ultimax2 Blackstuff pads. Pair them with any Geomet type coated rotor. Powerstop, Bosch Quietcast, EBC's rotors, or anything listed in the gray section on Rock Auto.

For now, I am going with the options listed.

Then use the Bosch Quietcast.

Wagner E-Coat Brake rotors with Raybestos Element 3 EHT pads make a good combo

Not anymore

Raybestos (and Centric) cheapened their products years ago and recently went bankrupt. Wagner stopped E-coating their drums and rotors, too, as I found out the hard way. If you still want E-coated, Durago electrophoretic rotors are still E-coated.

 

[chris719]

I like the Brembo NAO pads for most daily cars. Much better than Element3.

 

[CarbonToast]

I did 2 of our fleet last year with Bosch Quiet cast pads and rotors. Both have performed really well 10/10 reccomended.

 

[iCurious]

Recent posts on this very forum indicate Bosch manufactures the Duralast line for AZ, so I think the big question is: do you want to pay full retail for a set of pads that are manufactured by the same company who's pads are sold on RockAuto for 1/2 the price?

I am aware. Same goes with Akebono and Advics makes brakes for Toyota. But they are not the same performance level.

If Quietcast and Elite are at the same performance level, I would definitely get the cheaper option.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

You never know what suppliers the house brands are using or what quality they are

The best pedal feel I've experienced is the EBC Ultimax2 Blackstuff pads. Pair them with any Geomet type coated rotor. Powerstop, Bosch Quietcast, EBC's rotors, or anything listed in the gray section on Rock Auto.



Then use the Bosch Quietcast.


Not anymore

Raybestos (and Centric) cheapened their products years ago and recently went bankrupt. Wagner stopped E-coating their drums and rotors, too, as I found out the hard way. If you still want E-coated, Durago electrophoretic rotors are still

I will try the Bosch parts when I need brakes

 

[Andyd95]

I like Advics pads on Toyotas, if you’re buying from rockauto I’d probably get Bosch rotors

 

[DCDG]

More than likely the house brand stuff is manufactured by Bosch but probably between blue and quietcast line. I would go with the Bosch for lower cost upfront even if you kept the vehicle long enough for another set of pads through Duralast lifetime warranty that’s what you’re paying for.

 

[nthach]

Recent posts on this very forum indicate Bosch manufactures the Duralast line for AZ, so I think the big question is: do you want to pay full retail for a set of pads that are manufactured by the same company who's pads are sold on RockAuto for 1/2 the price?

Bosch makes all the Duralast Elite numbers, but for Gold it’s between MAT Holdings(India COO), Baofeng Brake(China COO) and Bosch(Mexico COO).

You’re paying for warranty and overhead with Duralast.

 

[iCurious]

Bosch makes all the Duralast Elite numbers, but for Gold it’s between MAT Holdings(India COO), Baofeng Brake(China COO) and Bosch(Mexico COO).

You’re paying for warranty and overhead with Duralast.

If that is the case, how do we determine which is higher tier? Bosch Quietcast or Duralast Elite?

 

[DCDG]

If that is the case, how do we determine which is higher tier? Bosch Quietcast or Duralast Elite?

I would stick with Bosch I feel you’d get better consistency unless you want to lifetime warranty and the can have them today

 

[mrjlube]

I’m looking for a brake setup that prioritizes:

Good modulation
Firm pedal feel
Strong, consistent stopping power
Smooth and quiet operation

This is for daily-driven Toyota and Honda SUVs/Vans.

I’m currently considering:

Bosch QuietCast pads and rotors
Duralast Elite pads paired with Duralast Gold rotors

I understand the Bosch setup is significantly less expensive, but I’m willing to pay more if it results in noticeably better modulation and pedal feel.


For those who have used them, how do they compare in terms of:

Brake modulation and control
Pedal firmness/feedback
Initial bite vs progressive braking feel
Overall smoothness and noise

Real-world experiences would be really helpful.

I just installed Bosch quiet Cast pads and rotors all around on my 21 escape. Love them. Very quiet and so smooth feeling.

 

[spasm3]

Lasr weekend, I put duralast elite on all four corners of our cx-5.
Feels better than the oem pads.

 

[Hall]

Recent posts on this very forum indicate Bosch manufactures the Duralast line for AZ

And that could change tomorrow....or it could have changed 3 weeks ago already.

for a set of pads that are manufactured by the same company

Made by the same company doesn't mean anything. The only saving grace might be that a "reputable" manufacturer tells a (potential) customer, "no, we won't reduce our quality standards to that level to meet your specifications". It doesn't mean they'll produce branded parts at the same 100% equal level as their other parts either though.