Gren (Chinese) Rotors - ISO and TUV certified

[SilverSoarer]

Just tried out Gren rotors and was quite pleased - good value.

Compared to Brembo these weigh the same, and look as well made for about 1/2 the cost - and they are ISO and TUV certified manufacturer.

[GoFaSSter]

Make sure to give us some updates over time to see how they hold up long term. It sounds like it could be a good source.

[Mike Murrell]

It would be nice if Chinese made parts came up to snuff with those made elsewhere.

I continually read horror stories about the quality of parts made in that country.

Japan went thru the same things years ago - maybe it will improve.

[GoFaSSter]

It is an interesting country for manufacturing. North China makes a lot of the goods that are on the cheaper end of the spectrum. However, their processes do not have capability (CpK) to produce a consistent product. South China has better capability, but their prices are higher. Thus companies looking for the low cost supplier generally go to North China. Interestingly, the Chinese government has just disallowed a lot of the northern factories to sell outside the country. This is forcing companies to sorce from South China. The products cost a little more but the quality is better.

[SilverSoarer]

Originally Posted by GoFaSSter

It is an interesting country for manufacturing. North China makes a lot of the goods that are on the cheaper end of the spectrum. However, their processes do not have capability (CpK) to produce a consistent product. South China has better capability, but their prices are higher. Thus companies looking for the low cost supplier generally go to North China. Interestingly, the Chinese government has just disallowed a lot of the northern factories to sell outside the country. This is forcing companies to sorce from South China. The products cost a little more but the quality is better.

Are you a manufacturing engineer ?

I concur with your observations.

First couple hundred miles - the rotors seem fine - but only time will tell how they perform.

They came with a 10,000 mile/1 yr warranty.

[GoFaSSter]

Originally Posted by SilverSoarer

Are you a manufacturing engineer ?

I concur with your observations.

First couple hundred miles - the rotors seem fine - but only time will tell how they perform.

They came with a 10,000 mile/1 yr warranty.

I am a Manufacturing Engineer. I am always open to quality products no matter the location of manufacture.

[CISA93]

I have numerous friends that have auto shops/machine shops/dealerships (service advisors and mechanics) It's been their recommendations and my years of expereince with Chinese made parts, rotors/ bearing in specific, that are problematic. First Chinese build in quantity and their quality control is questionable. I've read where many companies have stopped manufacturing in China due to these issues.

Their casting process is poor and their bearings are also poor. For the price, I'd go with a quality name. Centric HP rotors, Brembo or Toyota rotors.

You do pay less for these Chinese made parts, but I chose to go with a quality made product and with brakes, I just don't care to take a risk to save a little money.

[messerchmidt]

even the raybestos stuff is made in china,

made in china is not a problem so long as its made to a proper spec

[CISA93]

Originally Posted by messerchmidt

even the raybestos stuff is made in china,

made in china is not a problem so long as its made to a proper spec

We have a local parts store called Merles....I knew the Raybestos Representative from his visits to my friend's import shop. They slowly began manufacturing in China and now Merles, due to numerous complaints about brakes, rotors (Made in China) stopped carrying Raybestos products. They've gone to Wagner and Centric.

It's been my experience and that of many other people I know in the automotive repair business, that the Chinese made parts are inferior. However, many of these $69.00 lifetime brake shops use this stuff because it's cheap in price and their markup is astronomical.

It's your car and it's up to you what you want to trust in. I've seen this happen more times than I wish to imagine....good luck!

[SilverSoarer]

So far about 6 months later the Gren rotors are fine - no grooves, no scratches - the vanes look good too. The company is based out of the US with manufacturing in China.

Regarding Brembo - they have the brand name recognition among performance enthusiasts - but among engineers they are not highly regarded for brake and rotor quality.