I am ready to replace my front brake rotors. I know to stay away from the OEM (on second set w/42,000 miles). My concerns are:

1. Is there any point to going beyond basic (slotted, drilled or drilled/slotted)? I have read all the Company's advertisements so I know what they are saying. Now I want to know what is actually happening to the owners that have already installed them. Please be detailed. If you think you made a mistake with your selection, please say so. If you love your selection, please say that as well. I realize, after reading the reviews on TireRack.com that there will be pos. and neg. on the same product but if you are detailed, readers like myself can figure out the best way to go for the type of driving, typical weather conditions, pad/rotor configurations, etc. ...

2. Can you mix rotors? Eg.:Can there be slotted in the front and basic in the rear.

3. Can a slotted or drilled rotor be machined in the future if necessary?

4. Is there a way to stop the rusting effect on the rotor surface or do certain rotors not rust?

I did do a search before starting this thread but everything I came up with was either older, not for this generation or not as well explained.

Your help is greatly appreicated. This forum has been great to me in the short time I have utilized it. Some of the things I learned and accomplished are *Changing the trans fluid, *Replacing the rear springs, *Replacing the links, *Re-quieting the rear deck, *Replacing the PCV valve, * Removing the Bose head to quiet those noises, and I'm sure there was more. That is why I have become a Donating Member as of today.

 

My advice would be to get Matts upgrades to the 6th gen rotor. I udnerstand you've searched but there are threads all over. Yes you can mix rotors, but the look might not match. Yes you can mchine them, basically treat them the same as stock, oand replacement when they get too thin. Stock and most other rotors do rus, get used to it, unless you have them zinc or some other anti-rust coating.

As for what I used, Autozone rotors.

 

yeah just yesturday me and my buddy put some cross drilled on the front of his 99 m3. he kept it stock in the rear but mixin isnt really a big issue. hes thinkin of actually goin slotted in the rear soon. if it were me id go for slotted front and rear. rusting and machining i dont think theres issues with but im not sure

 

This is definately an issue. Make sure you either want to have your rotors "throw away" or you have someone that will FOR SURE machine your rotors should you need too. Most shops wont touch drilled or slotted rotors.

 

My lcoal Checker ahs done them in the past.

 

Well, you're only going to get opinions on this subject. There just isn't a lot of empirical data comparing solid rotors versus slotted/drilled/dimpled. In my opinion, there's no advantage to be had with slotted/drilled/dimpled unless you're going to be doing some sort of racing. I think it's better to have more mass in the rotor, so solid is my choice. I replaced the rotors and pads at all four corners recently and was glad that there were Brembo Solid rotors available. For street cars, I think slotted/drilled/dimpled is just a gimmick that appeals to people who are more concerned with appearance than safety or component longevity. You know, those who like to brag about their "mods". If you're bent on buying into the gimmick, stay away from drilled rotors. Apparently, they are prone to early failure due to cracking around the holes.

Rusting can be prevented with a zinc or cadmium coating applied to the rotor before installation. I don't think this is something you can do at home, but some manufacturers do it to their products.

 

yes you can mix rotors.. slotted front.. blank in the back
it is not recommended to slott or drill your rotors after they've been broken it..
if u want to stop the rust get zinc or candium platted rotors
also Automax_95 is offering gread deals on rotors and great prices...
he sells brembo rotors which are probably the best OEM rotors and they are great.
also pads effect the life of the rotors.. i've found that PBR Delux are the best ones..
i've tried. .oem, hawk , and raybestos.. but PBR outperforms all of them