Welcome, gearheads and auto enthusiasts!
Prepare to dive deep into the world of automotive excellence as we pit PowerStop against Zimmermann, two titans of brake system technology.
We’re talking performance, quality, prices and more.
Buckle up as we navigate the pros, cons, and ultimately determine who truly stops the competition in its tracks!
PowerStop vs Zimmermann – Brand Comparison Table
| PowerStop | Zimmermann | |
| Country of Origin | United States | Germany |
| Year Founded | 1995 | 1947 |
| Made In | mostly in United States, Canada, China | Germany |
| Founder | Arvin Scott | Otto Zimmermann |
| Parent | TSG Consumer Partners | Stand-alone |
| Overall Quality | good brand for any brake part but there are different levels of quality | just as good as OEM brake discs with their Coat-Z series |
PowerStop Evolution Performance Drilled, Slotted & Plated vs Zimmermann Coat-Z Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – Evolution Performance Drilled, Slotted & Plated 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:
| PowerStop | Zimmermann | |
| Series | Evolution Performance Drilled, Slotted & Plated | Coat-Z |
| Material | Cast Iron | Cast Iron |
| Coating | Zinc coated | Coat Z – anti corrosion coating |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | OEM vane configuration and weight | The grey cast iron is further treated with additional ingredients to stabilize its properties, ensuring maximum durability |
| Performance | Solid stopping power, drilled for better cooling and performance, 100% Mill balanced | German production quality with Coat-Z coating that not only enhances longevity but also improves the overall performance |
| Price | $60.00 – $1124.00 | $28.25 – $445.32 |
| Warranty | cover defects in material and poor workmanship for 3 years or 36,000 miles of use | 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) | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
PowerStop Z16 Clean Ride 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:
| PowerStop | Zimmermann | |
| Series | Z16 Clean Ride Ceramic | Premium Ceramic |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Performance | Power Stop Z16 Clean Ride Ceramic Brake pads feature Evolution ceramic with a low dust formula, delivering superior braking power while keeping your wheels cleaner. The pad surfaces are thermal scorched for a quick break-in process. | Zimmermann Premium Ceramic brake pads are engineered to provide a quieter and consistently pleasant braking experience, minimizing noise and enhancing overall performance. |
| Price | $17.34 – $77.96 | $24.29 – $308.69 |
| Warranty | covers defects in materials or workmanship for 90 days from the purchase date or 3,000 miles of use | 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
When it comes to comparing the performance of PowerStop and Zimmermann brake parts, here’s what I’ve gathered from various user reviews:
PowerStop:
- Many users find PowerStop brake parts to be excellent, providing good stopping power with minimal dust production.
- One user praised their front calipers, pads, and rotors, mentioning they’ve been working great.
- However, there’s a downside: some customers reported a strange clicking noise that intensifies when braking.
- A recommendation from a Lexus owner suggests going for OEM parts as they tend to last longer and guarantee better performance.
Zimmermann:
- Zimmermann has received largely positive feedback from users.
- Zimmermann Z coated rotors come highly recommended for street and daily use.
- Others praised Zimmermann’s drilled rotors, stating they’re essentially high-end OEM replacement parts that offer stronger bite and less dust.
- One user has been using Zimmermann parts for nearly 2 years without any issues, saying they’re just like OEM parts but without the BMW branding.
- Another user runs Zimmermann parts on all his cars, praising their durability and rust-free zinc coating, along with efficient venting on the front rotors.
In conclusion, both PowerStop and Zimmermann have their strengths and potential drawbacks.
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:
| PowerStop Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | Zimmermann Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | Power Stop Autospecialty OE Vented Front Brake Rotor goes from $16.18 | Zimmermann Coat-Z Brake Rotor goes from $19.97 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | Power Stop Evolution Performance Drilled and Slotted 1-Piece Front Brake Rotors go for $1,240.35 | Zimmermann Formula-Z Front Passenger Side Brake Rotor goes for $1,072.23 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for PowerStop and Zimmermann below:
| PowerStop Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Zimmermann Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | Power Stop Euro-Stop Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $17.58 | Zimmermann Front Disc Brake Pad Set go from $19.68 |
| Most Expensive Pads | Power Stop Track Day Spec Advanced Front Brake Pads go for $209.14 | 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.
PowerStop
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Good value for the price | ❌ Users are reporting annoying squeaking or grinding noises that can come from some of their brake pads |
| ✔ Availability | |
| ✔ Easy installation |
Zimmermann
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ German production quality | ❌ Rare durability issues |
| ✔ Coat Z Coated Brake Discs | |
| ✔ Positive customer reviews |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Considering both customer feedback and pros & cons, Zimmermann appears to be the better overall brand.
Users praise its German production quality and have reported consistent positive experiences.
Despite its occasional durability issues, Zimmermann’s positive aspects, such as the Coat Z Coated Brake Discs, seem to outweigh PowerStop’s mixed reviews and reported noise issues.