Welcome to the ultimate showdown between two titans of the automotive brake industry, ACDelco and Wagner.
In this face-off, we’ll delve into the heart of their performance, dissect their quality, scrutinize their prices, and weigh their pros and cons, all to reveal which brand truly stands at the zenith of brake system excellence.
Buckle up, it’s going to be an exciting ride!
ACDelco vs Wagner – Brand Comparison Table
| ACDelco | Wagner | |
| Country of Origin | United States | United States |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1891 |
| Made In | mostly in China | mostly in China |
| Founder | William C. Durant | Herbert Appleton Wagner |
| Parent | General Motors | Federal-Mogul Motorparts group |
| Overall Quality | great quality when it comes to brake pads & shoes products | generally considered to be of respectable quality |
ACDelco Gold vs Wagner BD126407E Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – Gold and BD126407E 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 | Wagner | |
| Series | Gold | BD126407E |
| Material | Cast Iron | Cast Iron |
| Coating | Black E-Coat | Zinc coated |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | Durable and has high-quality manufacturing that ensures smooth operation | Balanced through spin balancing and precision cut to minimize vibrations, enhancing stability and control |
| Performance | Provides reliable and consistent performance | The Original Equipment (OE)-specific vane design ensures powerful braking performance and efficient heat dissipation, while effectively managing noise, vibration, and harshness |
| Price | $19.45 – $343.00 | $53.98 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months/24,000 Miles | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months/24,000 Miles |
| 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 Wagner QuickStop Ceramic 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 | Wagner | |
| Series | Gold Ceramic | QuickStop Ceramic |
| 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. | Wagner’s QuickStop Ceramic brake pads are meticulously crafted with OE-matched friction formulations and configurations, ensuring reliable, like-new braking performance and maximum durability. |
| Price | $17.60 – $155.85 | $11.21 – $144.42 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24-Month/Unlimited Mile Warranty | covers defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 24 months (24,000 miles) |
| 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
ACDelco
- ACDelco brake pads and rotors are considered reliable by many users, with one user boasting about having installed hundreds of sets without any issue.
- Their Gold rotors are praised for being quiet and smooth, providing excellent stopping power, especially during sudden stops.
- The AC Delco Advantage rotors have been used by many without any complications, indicating their reliable performance.
- One user highly recommends the ACDelco Gold disc brakes, mentioning their smooth stopping power even after 5k miles and their compatibility with new AC Delco pads.
Wagner
- Wagner brake parts, particularly the ThermoQuiet brake pads, are recommended by some users, with one mentioning they use Wagner on all their cars.
- A user appreciates these brake pads for their good bite and low brake dust, and plans to buy them again for the next brake job.
- Wagner’s premium brake rotors are engineered for maximum performance and come with an E-Shield protective electro-coating to prevent corrosion.
- Despite the positive reviews, some users have reported issues with Wagner brake parts. These include parts failing or producing noise, suggesting some inconsistency in the product quality.
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⁾ | Wagner Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | ACDelco Silver Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $6.25 | Wagner Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $18.86 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | ACDelco Genuine GM Parts Front Driver Side Brake Rotor goes for $4,082.84 | Wagner Vented Front Brake Rotor goes for $385.06 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for ACDelco and Wagner below:
| ACDelco Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Wagner Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | ACDelco Silver Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $14.14 | Wagner QuickStop Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $10.77 |
| Most Expensive Pads | ACDelco 171-1254 – Genuine GM Parts Organic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $758.30 | Wagner QuickStop Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $144.42 |
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 |
Wagner
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Reliability | ❌ Complains about brake dust and noise from some of their brake pads |
| ✔ Respectable quality | |
| ✔ Affordable pricing |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the feedback, both ACDelco and Wagner have their strengths, with users praising their performance and quality.
However, ACDelco appears to have fewer complaints, especially about noise, and offers a wider range of products.
Therefore, I would lean towards declaring ACDelco as the overall better pick for brake parts.
