EBC Rotors/pads vs Akebono/Powerstop?

[tbm5690]

I'll be doing pads and rotors on my 2014 MDX soon. For Japanese stuff in the past I've always stuck to Akebono pads, and this time around I was going to mate them with Powerstop Geomet coated rotors based on positive feedback I've seen here. I don't need a performance set-up, but I see I can get an EBC pad and rotor combo kit on Summit (black Geomet coated rotors and Ultimax pads) for less than the first combo on RA and I know EBC holds a good reputation. Which route would you go?

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

EBC? Do you want performance or durability? Are you getting ASP part# akebono? Are you doing red or yellow EBC?
Priorities? Life? Dust ? Stopping?

 

[tbm5690]

EBC? Do you want performance or durability? Are you getting ASP part# akebono? Are you doing red or yellow EBC?
Priorities? Life? Dust ? Stopping?

Akebonos are ACT. EBC Ultimax...not red or yellow, or green...its their "daily" non-performance line. Priorities are low dust and somewhat decent longevity...I care more about rotor longevity than pads.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

I only have experience with the ASP but Akebono is an OEM supplier for Japanese cars.

 

[Randy_R]

I did Powerstop geomet 5 years ago on the Saturn. I probably don’t have 35-40K miles on them so I can’t speak to longevity. Dust has been minimal. I got geomet not just for the coating. I read they were made in USA. Coating not perfect but held up OK. Brake pedal had good feel and still does. I would get them again.

 

[benjamming]

If the EBC is less expensive, then I would get that. You won't lose any performance & you may gain some.

 

[apollo18]

EBC is great and seems to have good feedback, you get UK/Europe made parts and good customer service. That combo is probably already a tad better then OEM so it should be good

 

[edyvw]

As someone who would not put Akebono even if someone paid me, I will tell you based on your priorities to get Akebono.

 

[factorytuned2012]

I have the PowerStop stock replacement brake kit I would definitely recommend coated rotors. I am not even in the rust belt and the rust after 18 months is sort of scary on the other hand the pads seem to be fine braking performance is fine very minimal dust.

 

[rijndael]

If you need/want coated rotors, look at an NRS brake kit.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

That EBC combo will be good. The EBC Ultimax pads are awesome, and their rotors have some kind of Geomet type coating now.

The Ultimax2/Blackstuff pads are the best I've ever used.

 

[tbm5690]

If you need/want coated rotors, look at an NRS brake kit.

How are NRS rotors any different/better than other GeoMet coated competitors?

 

[tbm5690]

That EBC combo will be good. The EBC Ultimax pads are awesome, and their rotors have some kind of Geomet type coating now.

The Ultimax2/Blackstuff pads are the best I've ever used.

Super helpful, thanks. The only thing I'm not sold on is that the rotors are black GeoMet...great for my GLI aesthetically but not as much for the MDX. They look closer to a graphite gray in the picture but I'd prefer silver.

 

[rijndael]

How are NRS rotors any different/better than other GeoMet coated competitors?

I'm not too familar with GeoMet to offer much of a comparision. I know NRS's stuff is top shelf when it comes to rust resistance.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Super helpful, thanks. The only thing I'm not sold on is that the rotors are black GeoMet...great for my GLI aesthetically but not as much for the MDX. They look closer to a graphite gray in the picture but I'd prefer silver.

EBC is switching to the silver color, though it's a running change, different part numbers being switched at different times, and there may be old stock to be depleted, etc

That said, there is nothing wrong with the black coating

 

[Urshurak776]

Where are you guys buying EBC? Wondering for my Mazda 3. Not sure if they make them for this car.

 

[tbm5690]

Where are you guys buying EBC? Wondering for my Mazda 3. Not sure if they make them for this car.

The sets I'm eyeing are on Summit Racing...looks like they carry EBC pads for your Mazda3 but no rotors.

 

[tbm5690]

EBC is switching to the silver color, though it's a running change, different part numbers being switched at different times, and there may be old stock to be depleted, etc

That said, there is nothing wrong with the black coating

Good to know. It's not a deal breaker and the rims don't leave the discs as exposed as other wheel designs do so I'll probably roll with it.

 

[Wheel366]

THis is where I got mine but looks like the website isn't working right now.

https://perfectbrakes.com/

 

[doitmyself]

That EBC combo will be good. The EBC Ultimax pads are awesome, and their rotors have some kind of Geomet type coating now.

The Ultimax2/Blackstuff pads are the best I've ever used.

I concur. My EBC Ultimax 2 front rotor/pad kit installed on my Jeep Patriot in 2019 continues to astound me. Pad and rotor wear is excellent. Dusting is not a concern for me - I estimate these to be "medium"? The rotor coating lasted about 4 years in our rustbelt state, but the rotors are still in better condition than any white box ones used in the past. After break-in (just regular driving) they gave me more initial "bite/grab" compared to my OEM Akebono's. Just what I wanted. I will buy them again.

My kit cost $100 delivered in 2019. Summit sells it today for $207. A quick Google search discovered Autoplicity with them on sale for $156 delivered. Do some aggressive online shopping.

EDIT: wow! If your MDX EBS brake set is S1KF1681, Summit has the kit for $125 delivered!!!!! https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...jw4BAPYknkEW_cGrSnFBYo_Vk1r4DoLcc24bvcYuxveRW