Buckle up, gearheads! We’re about to hit the brakes and delve deep into the world of automotive prowess – pitting ACDelco against Zimmermann.
We’ll rev through their performance, quality, and prices, weigh up the pros and cons, and ultimately determine which brand truly stops the show.
Are you ready for this thrilling ride? Let’s hit the road!
ACDelco vs Zimmermann – Brand Comparison Table
| ACDelco | Zimmermann | |
| Country of Origin | United States | Germany |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1947 |
| Made In | mostly in China | Germany |
| Founder | William C. Durant | Otto Zimmermann |
| Parent | General Motors | Stand-alone |
| Overall Quality | great quality when it comes to brake pads & shoes products | just as good as OEM brake discs with their Coat-Z series |
ACDelco Gold vs Zimmermann Coat-Z Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – Gold and Coat-Z 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 | Zimmermann | |
| Series | Gold | Coat-Z |
| Material | Cast Iron | Cast Iron |
| Coating | Black E-Coat | Coat Z – anti corrosion coating |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | Durable and has high-quality manufacturing that ensures smooth operation | The grey cast iron is further treated with additional ingredients to stabilize its properties, ensuring maximum durability |
| Performance | Provides reliable and consistent performance | German production quality with Coat-Z coating that not only enhances longevity but also improves the overall performance |
| Price | $19.45 – $343.00 | $28.25 – $445.32 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months/24,000 Miles | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 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 Zimmermann Premium 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 | Zimmermann | |
| Series | Gold Ceramic | Premium 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. | Zimmermann Premium Ceramic brake pads are engineered to provide a quieter and consistently pleasant braking experience, minimizing noise and enhancing overall performance. |
| Price | $17.60 – $155.85 | $24.29 – $308.69 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24-Month/Unlimited Mile Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 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
ACDelco
- ACDelco brake pads are highly regarded by users, with one individual having installed hundreds of sets without any problems.
- They are known for coming with clip hardware and providing quiet stopping.
- ACDelco Gold rotors offer smooth and quiet braking for regular use, with excellent stopping power for sudden stops.
- A customer highlighted the AC/Delco Advantage rotors for their long-term reliability.
- The ACDelco Gold disc brakes received praise for their smooth stopping performance even after 5,000 miles.
Zimmermann
- Zimmermann brake parts have received positive feedback from customers, especially for street and daily use.
- Customers recommend Zimmermann Z coated rotors as a solid choice for higher-end OEM replacement.
- Zimmermann’s brake pads are known to bite harder and produce less brake dust.
- Users appreciate Zimmermann for their quality equivalent to OEM, with one user running them for nearly 2 years without any issues.
- Another user praised Zimmermann for their rust-free zinc coating and the vents on their front rotors.
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⁾ | Zimmermann Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | ACDelco Silver Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $6.25 | Zimmermann Coat-Z Brake Rotor goes from $19.97 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | ACDelco Genuine GM Parts Front Driver Side Brake Rotor goes for $4,082.84 | Zimmermann Formula-Z Front Passenger Side Brake Rotor goes for $1,072.23 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for ACDelco and Zimmermann below:
| ACDelco Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Zimmermann Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | ACDelco Silver Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $14.15 | Zimmermann Front Disc Brake Pad Set go from $19.68 |
| Most Expensive Pads | ACDelco 171-1254 – Genuine GM Parts Organic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $758.31 | Zimmermann Rear Disc Brake Pad Set go for $269.93 |
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 |
Zimmermann
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ German production quality | ❌ Rare durability issues |
| ✔ Coat Z Coated Brake Discs | |
| ✔ Positive customer reviews |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Both ACDelco and Zimmermann have their strengths, offering reliable and high-quality brake parts.
However, considering the German production quality, positive customer reviews, and the fact that Zimmermann’s brakes are essentially OEM quality with added features like Coat Z Coated Brake Discs, I would declare Zimmermann as the overall better pick.