Wagner vs. OEM Rotors?

[JaYson]

Hey

I've been skipping around on the forum looking for some answers but I didn't see much specifically about the Wagner brand brake rotors (Sold at Canadian Tire)
I've got to replace all 4 brakes - I've got HAWK HPS pads I will be pairing with the rotors.


Canadian tire is having a sale (buy one get one half off) their WAGNER brake rotors. I'm wondering if anyone's used these before and what they think of them?
I think they're made in china, for what that's worth. Last I checked OEM Rotors would cost about an extra $100 for the set.

OEM does it actually have superior rust resistance compared to these "no name"/lesser name brand rotors? and most importantly will OEM have better heat dissipation and more resistance to warping?


I'm not going to go DBA, and I've decided not to go Magnum drilled either, I don't Track my car, but I do quite a bit of driving. I'm definitely not a slow driver, I do use my brakes.


any input would be appreciated

[Jackal]

Most people go OEM rotors with Hawk hps pads. I haven't read anything about Wagner but OEM rotors are really good.

[highlineMotors]

Hey

I've been skipping around on the forum looking for some answers but I didn't see much specifically about the Wagner brand brake rotors (Sold at Canadian Tire)
I've got to replace all 4 brakes - I've got HAWK HPS pads I will be pairing with the rotors.


Canadian tire is having a sale (buy one get one half off) their WAGNER brake rotors. I'm wondering if anyone's used these before and what they think of them?
I think they're made in china, for what that's worth. Last I checked OEM Rotors would cost about an extra $100 for the set.

OEM does it actually have superior rust resistance compared to these "no name"/lesser name brand rotors? and most importantly will OEM have better heat dissipation and more resistance to warping?


I'm not going to go DBA, and I've decided not to go Magnum drilled either, I don't Track my car, but I do quite a bit of driving. I'm definitely not a slow driver, I do use my brakes.


any input would be appreciated

I have installed Wagner products before while working at Green & Ross (not by choice.) In my experience, they do have issues. Sometimes the pads won't contact the rotors properly. Or they'll make noise. If I were you, I would go with something better. Reybestos is a good aftermarket brand. I've never had issues when I installed OEM brake products while working at Mazda. I carry NAPA brake products at my shop. They have 4 grades of pads and a number of rotors, depending on the make of vehicle. I get atleast the premium. If you do get the Wagners, it's like throwing the dice at a craps table. But good luck to you. =)

[krimsalt]

My experience with crappy tire rotors have not been good to be honest... Go with OEM in this case

[Wes08M3]

OEM seems to be rather good. If you want to save a bit of money, I've used the NAPA premium rotors on my mom's 07 3 with excellent results. 140 000km on the rotors with no problems at all, not really any rust on them either. Although, I don't think they're a whole lot cheaper than OEM's. If I remember correctly, they were ~$90 a piece.

[highlineMotors]

OEM seems to be rather good. If you want to save a bit of money, I've used the NAPA premium rotors on my mom's 07 3 with excellent results. 140 000km on the rotors with no problems at all, not really any rust on them either. Although, I don't think they're a whole lot cheaper than OEM's. If I remember correctly, they were ~$90 a piece.

140,000km is pretty impressive. I don't even think the OEM rotors will last that long.

[Wes08M3]

140,000km is pretty impressive. I don't even think the OEM rotors will last that long.

Yes very impressive. Mostly highway driving over a period of 3.5 years or so. Things always seem to last longer with lots of highway mileage but impressive nonetheless.

[cwp_sedan]

I went with OEM again and am very happy with them. I had some warping on the old ones and got about 110k out of them.

[Cab0oze]

I was under the impression that in many cases wagner IS the original equipment manufacturer... Also (IMO) rotors are rotors. Spend your money on good pads. Also (IMO) Hawks HPS are NOT good pads for a canadian DD. I had them before, and on cold and rainy days, they had zero initial bite and it scared me shitless on several occasions. I found myself constantly tapping my brakes on the highway to keep them warmed up to avoid an accident if i needed to stop quickly. Probably confused the people behind me a lot.

[zzz3]

Raybestos is a much better alternative. I witnessed first hand the differences between Oem, Wagner and then Raybestos rotors on my dads truck.

I haven't tried napa rotors, but if its anything like their other products, it is probably a rebranded item from a reputable manufacturer. I would also look into brembo blanks.

[JaYson]

Thanks for the input everyone!

This is giving me quite a bit to think about.


Has anyone else had the same winter/wet issues with the HAWK HPS pads? is this a common problem ?

[Wes08M3]

I had HPS pads on my old RSX Type-S and didn't experience this. However, it is obviously a totally different car and I had KVR cadmium plated and slotted rotors.

[Cab0oze]

I had HPS pads on my old RSX Type-S and didn't experience this. However, it is obviously a totally different car and I had KVR cadmium plated and slotted rotors.
It depends on where you drive too. I do 98% highway - 120 km/day. If you're in town and are always on the brakes you probably wouldn't notice this as much as me. Dunno if they change their pad formula across different models but I kinda doubt it.

[zzz3]

Checkout stoptech streetperformance pads. Better than hps and can even be used for occasional track days.

And no squeal unlike hp+ (but obviously not as good).

[TheAnswer_03]

why not consider OEM pads too?

[silverstarmazda]

does the wagner rotors have a coating on them?? i dont get anything without a coating to keep them from rusting... i got a new set of rotors thats GOLD plated lol (not really gold). my original set of rotors have plenty of meat on them left and they also have some sort of black coating that keeps them from rusting... i might let them go depending on how my current gold rotors r doing.

[Cab0oze]

does the wagner rotors have a coating on them?? i dont get anything without a coating to keep them from rusting... i got a new set of rotors thats GOLD plated lol (not really gold). my original set of rotors have plenty of meat on them left and they also have some sort of black coating that keeps them from rusting... i might let them go depending on how my current gold rotors r doing.
I seriously doubt it. Besides, plating comes off and is pretty much a waste of time. You can paint the hubs if you want though...

[JaYson]

I've already got a set of HPS pads waiting to go on. (to answer the question about OEM)

and I suspect I'll likely get OEM Rotors... if I'm not mistaken the hubs are painted to help with rust.

also a friend of mine got some no name brand rotors from Part Source last year and they've warped on him already (from regular use. Yes it only takes one instance of reckless braking...but anyways)
I'd rather pay a bit more (a BIT more..not DBA more lol) and assume that I'll get a bit more life out of them.

makes me nervous considering how many brands are out there now and that they're all made in china, and you cant really get a definitive answer on how well they perform in the long run.


unless I can get a definitive answer between now and friday, looks like OEM is what I'll be getting

[silverstarmazda]

I seriously doubt it. Besides, plating comes off and is pretty much a waste of time. You can paint the hubs if you want though...

the plating come off on the contact area of course...but the rest of the rotor stays coated. mine has been through hell and 2 auto-x events and still holld up really good. that fact that i bought them for cheapp was pretty awsome too. ill see if i can take some pistures in the sunlight. anything BUT crossdrilled is fine for our cars application. my pads dont have that slot in the middle, i find this a bit annoying cuz in the rain i dont get any stopping power until 1 second into the braking. other than that, i would say my pads and rotors brake a bit better than oem. but then again that might just be in my mind.. im able to lock up my wheels on dry roads so its the tires thats not gripping the road to stop

[Jackal]

I've already got a set of HPS pads waiting to go on. (to answer the question about OEM)

and I suspect I'll likely get OEM Rotors... if I'm not mistaken the hubs are painted to help with rust.

also a friend of mine got some no name brand rotors from Part Source last year and they've warped on him already (from regular use. Yes it only takes one instance of reckless braking...but anyways)
I'd rather pay a bit more (a BIT more..not DBA more lol) and assume that I'll get a bit more life out of them.

makes me nervous considering how many brands are out there now and that they're all made in china, and you cant really get a definitive answer on how well they perform in the long run.


unless I can get a definitive answer between now and friday, looks like OEM is what I'll be getting

Wise choice imho. PM Joe from MOT for special TM3 pricing. ;)

[Expert]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I bought the Wagner rotors few days ago when they were 25% off at CT(rear). Tried to install them and they are about 2 cm smaller in diameter. I had to send it back and get a refund.

[TheMAN]

they probably sold you the rotors for the GS/GX, not the GT

[Cab0oze]

they probably sold you the rotors for the GS/GX, not the GT

Agreed, it's a common mistake

[Expert]

We double checked the order on their system, and the same part number came up.


Agreed, it's a common mistake