Welcome fellow auto enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving deep into the world of automotive brake systems.
We’ll be putting two widely recognized brands, Centric and Raybestos, head-to-head.
From performance and quality to prices and pros & cons, we’ll dissect everything.
So buckle up, it’s time to find out who truly rules the road!
Centric vs Raybestos – Brand Comparison Table
| Centric | Raybestos | |
| Country of Origin | United States | United States |
| Year Founded | 2000 | 1902 |
| Made In | mostly in United States, China | mostly in China |
| Founder | Dino Crescentini | Arthur H. Raymond and Arthur F. Law |
| Parent | First Brand Group | Brake Parts Inc |
| Overall Quality | reputable brand with respectable quality | high-quality with good friction rating |
Centric High Carbon OE Replacement vs Raybestos Element3 Premium Coated Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – High Carbon OE Replacement and Element3 Premium Coated 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:
| Centric | Raybestos | |
| Series | High Carbon OE Replacement | Element3 Premium Coated |
| Material | High Carbon | High Carbon |
| Coating | Electrocoating finish | Grey fusion 4.0 zinc coating |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | Proprietary high carbon alloy resists cracking and decreases pad squeal | Original equipment design, vane configuration, and weight |
| Performance | Double disc ground finish, non-directional surface for better rotor and pad break-in, mill balanced for smooth braking | Unmatched stopping power, corrosion and rust-resistant finish, reduced brake fade for high performance |
| Price | $33.00 – $1,163.00 | $19.00 – $307.00 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 90 days or for 3,000 miles of use | Raybestos Brake Products will be free from non-conformities in materials and workmanship |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Centric Posi-Quiet 105 Ceramic vs Raybestos E3 Performance 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:
| Centric | Raybestos | |
| Series | Posi-Quiet 105 Ceramic | E3 Performance |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic, Organic |
| Performance | Centric Posi-Quiet 105 Ceramic Brake Pads are engineered with low dust formulation, promoting cleaner wheels and brakes for a neater appearance. They are 100% scorched during manufacturing, ensuring easy bed-in for quicker and efficient use. | Engineered for smooth and quiet operation, these brake pads are designed to outperform stock options. They incorporate EHT Enhanced Hybrid Technology and professional-grade formulations, ensuring optimum performance and reliability for an enhanced braking experience. |
| Price | $23.00 – $133.00 | $14.00 – $53.00 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 90 days or for 3,000 miles of use | Raybestos Brake Products will be free from non-conformities in materials and workmanship |
| 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
Having researched both Centric and Raybestos, here’s a simplified comparison of the performance of the two based on user reviews:
Centric:
- Centric brake parts, especially the Posi Quiets, have received positive reviews for their performance and reliability.
- Users recommend Centric as a viable brand for brake parts, alongside other brands such as Raybestos, Wagner, Acdelco, and Power Stop.
- Centric’s upgraded rotors are appreciated for their cost-effectiveness and reliability.
- Centric coated rotors are endorsed for their resistance to warping and corrosion.
Raybestos:
- Raybestos brake parts, including their coated rotors and Element3/EHT brake pads, are highly recommended by users for their quality and performance.
- Like Centric, Raybestos is also listed alongside other well-regarded brands in the brake parts industry.
- Despite moving production overseas, users are still hopeful about the brand’s quality control.
- Users find that Raybestos’ brake pads have a more even range as they warm up, and they perform well in different vehicle types.
In conclusion, both Centric and Raybestos are recommended by users for their performance and quality.
However, Centric seems to be particularly appreciated for its cost-effectiveness and corrosion resistance, while Raybestos stands out for the even range and good bite of its brake pads.
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:
| Centric Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | Raybestos Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | Centric C-Tek™ Standard Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes for $13.22 | Raybestos R-Line™ Brake Rotor goes from $14.74 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | Centric SportStop Drilled 1-Piece Rear Driver Side Brake Rotor goes for $1,234.22 | Raybestos Specialty Street Performance Slotted 1-Piece Rear Brake Rotor goes for $236.02 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for Centric and Raybestos below:
| Centric Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Raybestos Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | Centric C-Tek Semi-Metallic Front Disc Brake Pads go from $9.50 | Raybestos R-Line Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $14.49 |
| Most Expensive Pads | Centric Formula 100 Series OEM Semi-Metallic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $253.80 | Raybestos Street Performance Specialty Metallic Rear Brake Pads go for $146.86 |
3. Pros and Cons
In this section, I’ve tried to showcase the most noticeable advantages and disadvantages for these two experts in brakes.
Centric
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Reputable brand in the brake system category | ❌ Some users find that Centric rotors do not provide great bite compared to OEM rotors |
| ✔ Centric offers a range of brake pad options, including ceramic and semi-metallic | |
| ✔ Positive user reviews |
Raybestos
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ High-quality brake rotors | ❌ Some customers are experiencing noise issues with their pads |
| ✔ Reputable brand in the brake system market | |
| ✔ Durability |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Given both Centric and Raybestos have their respective strengths and weaknesses, it’s a close call.
Centric is praised for affordability and reliability, while Raybestos is known for durability and quality.
However, considering the minor concerns about Centric’s brake bite and the noise issues with Raybestos, it seems neither brand significantly outperforms the other.
Therefore, I declare it a tie.