I guess the question is what makes a $5000 setup better than a $2500 setup? In terms of brake performance, fade resistance etc...?

 

Best bang for the buck to me is pretty clear cut = dollar for dollar, what is the best available.

As Jeff stated, I cant see the price vs performance value of a brake kit costing 3K more than Akebono… are there better kits? Yes of course, but the OP wasn’t “what is the best kit”…

If Akebono’s with light weight after market rotors cost 2700… what other brake kit offers a better bang for the buck and why? That’s not an invitation to start naming a bunch of high dollar kits – unless there is a logical cost benefit to them.

 

Then the rest come into play. Do you want the BBK to look pretty while posing next to your car or are you going to use them?

What do full race pads cost for the Akebono calipers, is there a pad selection or am i stuck with one brand ?

Wear surface replacement ?? Easy to get?


Many things to factor into bang for the buck, mainly what your using them for.

BTW 2 piece rotors cost around $700, a pair.

 

There are quite a few pad choices for the oem Brembo BBK. And that setup isn't particularly expensive.

I "think" Wilwood also carries quite a few pad choices for each one of their calipers.

 

as stated in most of your posts, the price varies widely... in the case of the Akebono kit, there are 2 vendors that have already indicated after market 2-piece rotors will add 1K to their package price.

As for the “bang for the buck” – all the things you mentioned are a factor = looks, performance, quality… that all goes into the bang for buck” factor when I’m pricing mods.

 

Everything from how things are built; hat to rotor interface, caliper bodies, materials cost, pad material cost, grade or degree of rotor used, bling level, to importation cost, inventory carrying costs, dealer mark up, advertising and promotional cost, labor cost....I could probably come up with more.

You're reading a forum right now. Do you think a 19" Alien Ware laptop for $4k is better than a $400 net book right now?

 

I asked about brake performance and fade resistance?

 

Yes you did, sorry I took a more general approach.

Based on price alone? Not much really. Based on parts used; one can argue the benefits and negatives of larger calipers vs wheel fit, wider or narrower rotors, fixed or floating rotors, street or race compound pads....all can have an effect on the system.

That being said the <1%ers who can really exploit the claimed benefits of some of this are far fewer than the other 99% who will find just about any of these designs will suite their needs for the daily driver and occasional track day. Simply because it's durable enough for 24hrs at Daytona has about zero bearing on it's value driving to work.

 

How are the 1%ers quantifing the justifications for spending more if there aren't any good performance numbers to back it up?

 

For their specific needs the benefits may be worth the added expense.
Who's to say how others choose to spend their money? Some buy brand X just to be different. Brakes aren't much different than wheels and other parts.

 

What if their specific needs are improved stopping power and fade resistance?

 

Then I'd say pick any of them and base your decisions most only appearance, wheel fit, price point and the ability to find a pad that's affordable, readily available and meets your daily needs.

 

How would they know any of them would be an improvement in each of those concerns?

 

So far – of everything posted… I haven’t seen/read anything that would legitimately refute the fact that Akebono OEM are best bang for buck BBK.

 

Well Mike, I have read that the Akebonos have faded on some G37 and FX50 tests. aka Edmunds test of the G37 and Acura TL AWD. But I couldn't give you a technical reason why this setup wouldn't match most any more expensive kit.