What’s So Special About Brembo Brakes?
Photo: FCA
If you’re browsing the market for a spiffy new sports car or bike, chances are you’ve seen a slew of accessories and special features included with models to make them more appealing and more athletic. In addition to components like the engine, suspension, and transmission, the brakes often get attention on performance vehicles, especially if they feature Brembo-brand brakes.
The way Brembo brakes are revered and advertised by car sellers gives the impression that they’re a big deal. But are they? What makes Brembo brakes so special?
Classic Porsche Cars: Which models are ranked as the most popular of all time?
Why are Brembo brakes so popular?
If you browse online forums discussing Brembo brakes, you’ll find a lot of gearheads debating if Brembo brakes are superior, if they’re overrated, if their price is worth it, and so on. Many point out that Brembo brakes are prevalent because it’s more cost-savvy for automakers to outsource to Brembo since that company already has a great product — rather than spending the money to research, develop, and market a competing product in-house.
Because of the amount of revenue Brembo has from its sales, it’s able to invest more money in quality machines that produce outstanding products through higher precision and efficiency.
Plus, the company dedicates a notable portion of its finances and workforce to research and development, finding ways to use different materials and shapes. According to Brembo, it continually strives to “increase the braking power, improve the thermal resistance, reduce the vibration and noise, and extend the durability of these systems.” This comes from its 40-year history with Formula 1 racing, as Surya Solanki points out in an article for GT Spirit.
Brembo’s popularity also stems from the certainty of knowing what you’re buying. While you could purchase from other brands, you’re taking a chance with competitors who aren’t as established, whereas Brembo has years of reputability and experience behind it. People would rather pay for a name they recognize.
A Daily News Dig article explains that Brembo is known for its brake and racing system products, such as carbon-ceramic discs, radial-mount fixed calipers with oversized pads, and axial master cylinders. Like many products, the range covers top-of-the-line to entry-level quality, so it also depends on the item itself — and how much you pay for it. Performance is also dependent on the quality of the machinery around it (i.e. your car).
So decide on how much you’re willing to spend and if Brembo brakes are right for the car you drive.
Top-Notch Performance: Classic BMW models that revolutionized the industry
Aaron is unashamed to be a native Clevelander and the proud driver of a Hyundai Veloster Turbo (which recently replaced his 1995 Saturn SC-2). He gleefully utilizes his background in theater, literature, and communication to dramatically recite his own articles to nearby youth. Mr. Widmar happily resides in Dayton, Ohio with his magnificent wife, Vicki, but is often on the road with her exploring new destinations. Aaron has high aspirations for his writing career but often gets distracted pondering the profound nature of the human condition and forgets what he was writing… See more articles by Aaron.