Buckle up, folks! In today’s high-speed showdown, we’re pitting two giants of the automotive brake system industry against each other.
ACDelco and ATE, the masters of stoppage, are under the spotlight.
We’ll compare their performance, quality, prices, and more, aiming to determine which brand truly holds the brake pedal to our hearts.
Let the brake battle begin!
ACDelco vs ATE – Brand Comparison Table
| ACDelco | ATE | |
| Country of Origin | United States | Germany |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1906 |
| Made In | mostly in China | mostly in Germany, Czech Republic, China |
| Founder | William C. Durant | Alfred Teves |
| Parent | General Motors | Continental AG |
| Overall Quality | great quality when it comes to brake pads & shoes products | they use only high-quality OEM materials, and their name stands for precision and reliability |
ACDelco Gold vs ATE Cod Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – Gold and Cod from both brands by various product specs & features, prices, warranty, durability, performance, stopping power and noise levels.
Here is a detailed comparison table showcasing what each brand has to offer:
| ACDelco | ATE | |
| Series | Gold | Cod |
| Material | Cast Iron | High Carbon |
| Coating | Black E-Coat | MetaCote protective anti-corrosion |
| Type | Vented | Vented/Solid |
| Durability | Durable and has high-quality manufacturing that ensures smooth operation | Optimizes durability, prevents brake judder and noise, reduced rotor wear, extends service life of wheel suspension and wheel bearings |
| Performance | Provides reliable and consistent performance | Optimum performance at all temperatures, less susceptible to noise and vibration |
| Price | $19.45 – $343.00 | $40.23 – $315.25 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months/24,000 Miles | covers defects in material and workmanship for 12 months |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
ACDelco Gold Ceramic vs ATE Premium One Set Brake Pads Comparison
In the following section, I’m going to compare the most renowned Brake Pads series from both brands by various product specs & features, prices, warranty, performance, stopping power, brake dust accumulation and noise levels.
Here is a detailed comparison table showcasing what each brand has to offer:
| ACDelco | ATE | |
| Series | Gold Ceramic | Premium One Set |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Performance | ACDelco Gold Ceramic Brake Pads excel in performance, delivering superior quietness and durability when compared to semi-metallic alternatives in the market. | ATE Premium One brake pads offer a clean, quiet, and long-lasting braking experience. Their solid performance is attributed to an innovative brake pad compound that incorporates advanced fibre technology. |
| Price | $17.60 – $155.85 | $39.95 – $322.33 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24-Month/Unlimited Mile Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 12 months |
| Dust Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Dust) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
Differences
1. Overall Performance and Quality
When comparing ACDelco and ATE, both brands seem to have high performance and quality. ACDelco users praise the brand’s brake pads and rotors.
Many have installed multiple sets of their brake pads without issues. Users mention their products are quiet, smooth, and offer great stopping power, even during sudden stops.
The ACDelco Gold disc brakes also receive high marks for their performance after 5,000 miles.
On the other hand, ATE also receives positive feedback from users. Their brake parts are praised for being excellent, with reviews saying they don’t fade even after 20,000 miles.
Users appreciate that ATE’s pads have a good bite, especially on the rear discs. They are also recommended in several Reddit threads discussing brake pad brands for various car models.
ATE’s performance discs and ceramic pads are also noted for their quality.
Both brands seem reliable and are highly recommended by users. However, personal preference, vehicle type, and specific needs may affect which brand is best for you.
2. Rotors and Brake Pads Prices
I’ve gathered some interesting information regarding the brake rotor prices for both brands. You can take a look at them in the table below:
| ACDelco Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | ATE Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | ACDelco Silver Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $6.25 | ATE Rear Brake Rotor goes from $34.89 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | ACDelco Genuine GM Parts Front Driver Side Brake Rotor goes for $4,082.84 | ATE Front Driver Side Brake Rotor goes for $34.89 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for ACDelco and ATE below:
| ACDelco Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | ATE Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | ACDelco Silver Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $14.02 | ATE Original Semi-Metallic Front Disc Brake Pads go from $21.61 |
| Most Expensive Pads | ACDelco 171-1254 – Genuine GM Parts Organic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $758.18 | ATE Original Semi-Metallic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $323.93 |
3. Pros and Cons
In this section, I’ve tried to showcase the most noticeable advantages and disadvantages for these two experts in brakes.
ACDelco
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Good all-around performance | ❌ Users report that ACDelco brake pads may produce high amounts of dust |
| ✔ ACDelco offers a range of brake products in three tiers: Advantage, Professional, and GM Original Equipment | |
| ✔ Most of their lineup is relatively affordable |
ATE
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Outstanding safety and durability | ❌ ATE Brake pads are not intented for heavy loads |
| ✔ Good value for money | |
| ✔ OEM supplier |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Both ACDelco and ATE have their strengths, with users praising their performance and quality.
However, considering the slightly higher durability and safety of ATE, along with its good value for money, I would declare ATE as the better pick overall.
This is despite its limitation for handling heavy loads, as it generally appears to meet most users’ needs effectively.