Subaru 1993 brakes - parts advice please

[Simon Garfunkel]

I've got Subaru Impreza 93 (front wheel drive) that needs
complete front brakes job. Other than that, it's in a good
shape, I guess.

Mechanic I trust offered to buy parts from Subaru dealer
or install whatever I buy myself. Dealer is insanely
expensive (e.g. brake disc = $83). So, I am unsure which
way to go. Is going OEM parts really necessary/advisable?
Here is what I've got:

Cheapest OEM: http://www.1stsubaruparts.com/
rotor - $52, pads - $58. Total = $220 + shipping

Local NAPA autoparts: prices from www.NAPAonline.com
rotor - $25, "premium" rotor - $75
pads ("Organic Tru-Stop") - $19, "Ceramic Safety Stop" - $43
Total: $88 or $136 or $236 + shipping

Online from http://www.allperformancebrakes.com/
Brembo Brake Disc, vented - $34, Hawk HPS Pads Set - $67
Total = $111 (shipping is free)

So, what should I go with? Money is tight so saving is
good but not at the expense of safety in any way. Parts
longevity is not so much an issue since I don't drive much
and the car is old anyway and I don't expect to keep it
longer than 5 years.

Please share your experience/advice/preferences. Thanks.

SimGa

 

[Nate Nagel]

I've got Subaru Impreza 93 (front wheel drive) that needs
complete front brakes job. Other than that, it's in a good
shape, I guess.

Mechanic I trust offered to buy parts from Subaru dealer
or install whatever I buy myself. Dealer is insanely
expensive (e.g. brake disc = $83). So, I am unsure which
way to go. Is going OEM parts really necessary/advisable?
Here is what I've got:

Cheapest OEM: http://www.1stsubaruparts.com/
rotor - $52, pads - $58. Total = $220 + shipping

Local NAPA autoparts: prices from www.NAPAonline.com
rotor - $25, "premium" rotor - $75
pads ("Organic Tru-Stop") - $19, "Ceramic Safety Stop" - $43
Total: $88 or $136 or $236 + shipping

Online from http://www.allperformancebrakes.com/
Brembo Brake Disc, vented - $34, Hawk HPS Pads Set - $67
Total = $111 (shipping is free)

So, what should I go with? Money is tight so saving is
good but not at the expense of safety in any way. Parts
longevity is not so much an issue since I don't drive much
and the car is old anyway and I don't expect to keep it
longer than 5 years.

Please share your experience/advice/preferences. Thanks.

SimGa

I'd go with the Brembo rotors - I'm sure NAPA sells quality parts but
you can't beat that deal with a stick. Brembo is a very well respected
name in brakes, so no worries there. I personally have no experience
with Hawk pads but I suspect that that's also a good deal.

nate

 

[Phluge]

I've got Subaru Impreza 93 (front wheel drive) that needs
complete front brakes job. Other than that, it's in a good
shape, I guess.

Mechanic I trust offered to buy parts from Subaru dealer
or install whatever I buy myself. Dealer is insanely
expensive (e.g. brake disc = $83). So, I am unsure which
way to go. Is going OEM parts really necessary/advisable?
Here is what I've got:

Cheapest OEM: http://www.1stsubaruparts.com/
rotor - $52, pads - $58. Total = $220 + shipping

Local NAPA autoparts: prices from www.NAPAonline.com
rotor - $25, "premium" rotor - $75
pads ("Organic Tru-Stop") - $19, "Ceramic Safety Stop" - $43
Total: $88 or $136 or $236 + shipping

Online from http://www.allperformancebrakes.com/
Brembo Brake Disc, vented - $34, Hawk HPS Pads Set - $67
Total = $111 (shipping is free)

So, what should I go with? Money is tight so saving is
good but not at the expense of safety in any way. Parts
longevity is not so much an issue since I don't drive much
and the car is old anyway and I don't expect to keep it
longer than 5 years.

Please share your experience/advice/preferences. Thanks.

SimGa

You will not compromise safety if you go with the least expensive parts you
found, and they will last. I know NAPA and they are good, and expect they
get parts from the same manufacturers as a lot of other chains, like Brembo.

If any of those parts were inferior your mechanic would be able to tell and
wouldn't install them if they are unsafe knowing you have choices.

Pflu

 

[Joe Kultgen]

I've got Subaru Impreza 93 (front wheel drive) that needs
complete front brakes job. Other than that, it's in a good
shape, I guess.

Mechanic I trust offered to buy parts from Subaru dealer
or install whatever I buy myself. Dealer is insanely
expensive (e.g. brake disc = $83). So, I am unsure which
way to go. Is going OEM parts really necessary/advisable?
Here is what I've got:

Cheapest OEM: http://www.1stsubaruparts.com/
rotor - $52, pads - $58. Total = $220 + shipping

Local NAPA autoparts: prices from www.NAPAonline.com
rotor - $25, "premium" rotor - $75
pads ("Organic Tru-Stop") - $19, "Ceramic Safety Stop" - $43
Total: $88 or $136 or $236 + shipping

Online from http://www.allperformancebrakes.com/
Brembo Brake Disc, vented - $34, Hawk HPS Pads Set - $67
Total = $111 (shipping is free)

So, what should I go with? Money is tight so saving is
good but not at the expense of safety in any way. Parts
longevity is not so much an issue since I don't drive much
and the car is old anyway and I don't expect to keep it
longer than 5 years.

Please share your experience/advice/preferences. Thanks.

SimGa

Brakes are consumables.

The low end NAPA parts should be fine for normal driving but will start
to fade sooner if pushed to their limits.

If you do solo racing or pizza delivery go with the Brembo's.

It comes down to how you drive, but unless you're a total maniac I'd ride
with you on the cheap NAPA's.

Later,
Joe