Recommend Brakes

[Herr Kutz]

Car gurus,

Please give me your brand recommendations for brake pad and rotor replacements.

These will be used to replace the OEM equipment on an 08 Nissan Versa.

Fronts only--the rears are drum brakes.

Thanks.

 

[NutBucket]

Akebono pads. Rotors....brembo oe? Not sure on those.

 

[Raizinman]

Before a pad and rotor recommendation can be made, it is necessary to know what type of modifications and driving you do.

Is the vehicle OEM stock?
Do you drive mainly local or highway miles?
Are you a gentle or aggressive driver?
What type of brakes did you have prior and how long did they last?
Do you do any type of racing, auto cross, drag racing, etc.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

An '08 Versa? Just get some mid-priced pads and rotors from Advance Auto Parts and call it a day. I just redid the front brakes on my '05 Focus with basic Carquest Wearever rotors and "gold" pads. I'm sure it'll last until the car rusts apart.

Though I had Wagner Thermo-quiet pads on before that and I liked them better than the Carquest.

 

[razel]

Stick with the stock Nissans if you have the stock rotors, just be sure they are Japanese. Nissans pads are usually Hitachi. I replaced brakes on 3 Infiniti's and 2 Nissans within family and friends. Brake longevity depends on the driver/car. My cars last 100k on stocks, the heavier Nissans (Murano) with a female driver, local streets last 75k.

You can gamble with an aftermarket. Gamble is the key word. If you're lucky, it'll last longer, if not it's the other way. At least with stocks you already know what to expect in terms of longevity.

If you are doing it yourself, youtube ericisthecarguy or chrisfix for basic brake maintenance. Look for their videos that emphasize caliper pin regreasing. Best of luck.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Before a pad and rotor recommendation can be made, it is necessary to know what type of modifications and driving you do.

Is the vehicle OEM stock?
Do you drive mainly local or highway miles?
Are you a gentle or aggressive driver?
What type of brakes did you have prior and how long did they last?
Do you do any type of racing, auto cross, drag racing, etc.

Plain, jane, OEM stock.

Mainly highway, although I have stop and go for maybe 5ish miles on my commute back from work and 0-8ish miles on my commute in, depending on the time I leave. Occasionally more if there is an accident. Total commute one way is about 35 miles.

Lean towards gentle, but not quite grandparent style. I prefer smooth stops.

Stock brakes, they are still on @ 132.5k miles. Bought used at 49k miles so no idea of the brake history before this.

It's a versa, so no.

 

[razel]

Stock brakes at 132k miles... seriously why bother to gamble... just stick to stock Nissan (Hitachi) OEM pads with those stock OEM rotors. Unless you enjoy car maintenance.

 

[Raizinman]

Stock Nissan pads are about twice the price of Auto Zone or Advance Auto parts. I would get a good quality pad at the local auto parts store or Rock Auto along with stock rotors. This should see you through another 132k. Check the websites of Auto Zone and Advance as they often run coupons/rebates which can help.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Okay, I think I narrowed it down to Akebono for the brake pads. It's ~$45 for a set of front pads and supposedly they are the OEM for my model year versa. That just leaves the rotors.

 

[NutBucket]

Are we shopping Rock Auto or the local parts store?

 

[Jimzz]

Yea as said go with the Gold or Platinum pads at Advance/AZ or see what rock auto has if you need more items.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Are we shopping Rock Auto or the local parts store?

Any reputable location will do (online or local). I think I'll have to get the Akebono pads online though.

 

[NutBucket]

On second thought, use Amazon. Cheaper shipping. I just bought a radiator and timing belt kit from them.