Brake Rotor Change: 2008 Mazda3 Sport 5DR Hatch (2.3L non turbo)

[$peed]

Hey,

I have a 2008 Mazda3 GT Sport 5DR Hatch (2.3L Non Turbo) car and it is about that time to review my braking situation. I have found a good set of brake pads (HAWKs) for my Mazda and I am looking at finding the right rotor for the car as well.

I was wondering if anyone has any preferences for performance as well as durability and sustainability (while keeping cost in mind as well).

I think I have heard of rotors that have portions of the rotor that are prone to rusting coating with a special material to keep the rust away, this would be preferrable.

Any ideas?

Thanks everyone,

Karl

[SomeGuy]

Get OEM Mazda rotors...they cost a little more than some cheapies out there but are worth it.

[cwp_sedan]

Most rotors have some rust on them after it rains but that's normal.

I replaced mine with OEM rotors and pads from the dealership with the TM3 discount (check out our Affiliate Dealerships section).

If you go with Hawk make sure you get the HPS and not the HP+. Also Hawk pads have a different feel to them than OEM. If you don't mind a progressive feel to them when braking then they are a good option. In the beginning they don't grip right away but the more you press the better they work.

[$peed]

Thanks for the quick responses guys,

Yup, the Hawk Pads I got definitely are the HPS. Good reminder.

Where is the Affiliate Dealerships section? I called my local Mazda Dealer and he quoted me $62.33 per rear rotor and $84.82 per front rotor. I thought this might be a little high. I am in the Whitby Area but if there is a dealer in the GTA who can get me better pricing, I will most certainly visit them instead.

If you could show me the link to see the affiliate dealers that would be awesome!

Thanks,

Karl

[Scottobot]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?204-Affiliate-Dealerships

[$peed]

Thanks, I'll ask them if they can do anything for a fellow TM3 guy on the price.

[JaYson]

I currently have HPS pads with OEM Rotors.

next time I will go OEM Pads & OEM Rotors


I found the HPS pads to have less (or at most the same) 'bite' as the OEM Pads for not much savings. the HPS pads also squeak sometimes usually at the beginning of a drive, I don't recall ever having that problem with my previous OEM pads
Rotors; I went with OEM because they seem to be a bit better when it comes to dealing with rust and also they're (apparently) less likely to warp under hard/hot breaking

[boxjohn]

If you want 'performance'/cross drilled rotors, I heard lots of good things about Magnum rotors (available from Nextmod for a reasonable price, and partially machined in the GTA) and am so far (10k or so) happy with my Magnum rear rotors and Hawk HPS pads. Don't expect miraculous improvements but they should warp less and save a little rotating mass while looking rather badass. Plus it's an Ontario company doing performance parts, which is nice to support.

Aside from that, I'd just go for OEM or the high-end rotors of any name company like Raybestos or Monroe.

[JaYson]

If you want 'performance'/cross drilled rotors, I heard lots of good things about Magnum rotors (available from Nextmod for a reasonable price, and partially machined in the GTA) and am so far (10k or so) happy with my Magnum rear rotors and Hawk HPS pads. Don't expect miraculous improvements but they should warp less and save a little rotating mass while looking rather badass. Plus it's an Ontario company doing performance parts, which is nice to support.

Aside from that, I'd just go for OEM or the high-end rotors of any name company like Raybestos or Monroe.


How are they on rust? I didn't go with the cross drilled bc I heard they weren't so great when it came to rust?


Also $peed , keep in mind cross drilled will likely wear down your pads a little faster - but on the other hand they do look badass lol

[gotak]

Watch out for cross drill rotors. There are reasons why only high end cars have cross drilled. If you look at the small print on most cross drilled rotors they have something a long the lines of "don't race these" and "performance might not be as good as OEM", because they aren't as good as solid OEM ones in many cases.

[Scottobot]

I'll just chime in to say I got PowerSlot rotors and Posi-Quiet pads on my MS3 a month or two ago. Less initial bite but braking is more linear and progressive. MUCH less dust than the OEM pads. And they look super-sweet.
Not less expensive than OEM though.

[boxjohn]

How are they on rust? I didn't go with the cross drilled bc I heard they weren't so great when it came to rust?


Also $peed , keep in mind cross drilled will likely wear down your pads a little faster - but on the other hand they do look badass lol

I've only had mine since late april, but despite getting wet plenty they don't have any surface rust. These are supposedly made from high-end non-crossdrilled rotors that are machined locally. The machining is of very high quality from what I could tell. Do a search for Magnum rotors on here and you'll find other positive reviews, that's how I got turned on to them.

[gotak]

I've only had mine since late april, but despite getting wet plenty they don't have any surface rust. These are supposedly made from high-end non-crossdrilled rotors that are machined locally. The machining is of very high quality from what I could tell. Do a search for Magnum rotors on here and you'll find other positive reviews, that's how I got turned on to them.

Ok so you take rotors not made to be drilled and you make it look like swiss cheese. What do you think that does to the rotors?

No one needs drilled rotors for street use. All they do is reduce pad contact area and increase chance for cracks developing and causing catastrophic brake failures.

[boxjohn]

Ok so you take rotors not made to be drilled and you make it look like swiss cheese. What do you think that does to the rotors?

No one needs drilled rotors for street use. All they do is reduce pad contact area and increase chance for cracks developing and causing catastrophic brake failures.


how do you "make a rotor to be drilled"?

From my research I found a bunch of people running the exact rotor I bought at Mosport, various autocross, and high-speed street driving, all three of which this car will see in the life of these rotors, with no problems. Furthermore, I'm an apprentice tech and I asked the senior techs at my shop if they saw more failures from cross-drilleds and they flat out said no. Plus, FWIW there are relatively few holes in these, they're hardly 'swiss cheese'.

So yeah, I agree 100% that no one needs drilled rotors for street use. But they're lighter, look cooler, are at least as good for track use, and in the specific case of Magnum brand rotors for Mazda 3's appear to be reliable AND at the same price point as OEM rotors. So why not? You don't need modified exhaust, lowered suspension, 15 inch subs, etc. for street driving either but this site is full of that stuff too.

[SomeGuy]

The magnum rotors are garbage...don't waste your money. I bought them with HPS pads for my old 3 (not my speed) and they weren't even close to being as good as the OEM setup.

[$peed]

Thanks for all your help guys. I have decided to go with the Hawk HPS Pads and I will stick with OEM Rotors for the time being (New one's of course).

I will see how they interact together and maybe on my next rotor/brake change, I will temp something new. But for now Hawk and OEM seem to have made my garage.

I'll let you know how they pan out. Won't be installing them for a little while as I have a lot on my plate right now, and I am waiting on delivery of the parts.