What Makes Brembo Brakes So Expensive, And Is It Worth The Added Cost?

When it comes to brakes, we can all recognize the big Brembo logo on some caliper covers, and while we might not recognize exactly why, we know that this means the brakes are good. But Brembo isn’t just for aftermarket install, there are some major luxury and sports brands that offer Brembo brakes from factory, like Audi and BMW. But Brembo brakes are also known for being on the higher end of price, and it’s for some good reasons.

What makes Brembo brakes different

Brembo brakes are different than standard brakes you might find on lower-end cars that are designed for practicality and comfort rather than performance and luxury. But why are they actually different from standard brakes?

For one, Brembo brakes are made of a high-friction material to optimize braking power. Along with that, most Brembo rotors are drilled and slotted, which you’ve probably seen before on sports cars. The drilled holes and slots increase the surface area of the rotor and allow for heat to dissipate more effectively.

Brembo disc brakes on a Ducati Panigale V4 R at ExCel on February 14, 2020 in London, England | John Keeble

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When brakes begin to overheat they can warp or cause brake failure, and while this is uncommon in more popular cars that you see on your daily commute, it is a potential problem when you are trying to stop a car going at faster speeds.

Brembo brakes are also designed to be lighter, which decreases the overall weight of the car as well as improves the car’s braking performance.

Are Brembo brakes worth the added expense?

The answer to this question really comes down to personal preference, but also what car you are driving. You can find a way to fit a Brembo brake system on to many cars, but some cars don’t require the added braking power. The addition of larger, high-performance brakes isn’t necessary, and for any reason other than style and brand they don’t do much to improve your car’s braking power if you have a standard daily driver.

If you have a high-performance or luxury car, especially ones that come with Brembo brakes from the factory, you probably won’t be disappointed in their quality or use.

A detail of the tire on the #88 National Guard Chevrolet, of Dale Earnhardt Jr. during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway | Patrick Smith
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What cars have Brembo brakes?

You can install Brembo brakes on a lot of cars after you’ve purchased it, but Brembo brakes are so notoriously reliable and high-performing that many car companies have partnered up to use Brembo brakes straight from the factory.

Some of the cars you might see Brembo brakes are rare and exotic supercars and hypercars that depend on reliable braking systems to safely slow them down when they’re going well over 100mph – or even over 200mph. This includes the Porsche 918 Spyder, Pagani Zonda, Corvette Z01, and the Dodge Viper SRT.

Brembo brakes might not be the only high-performance braking system out there, but they are one of the most widely recognized and most reputable, even if you don’t know much about cars.