Welcome to the ultimate automotive showdown! In today’s face-off, we’re comparing two titans of brake systems: TRW and Zimmermann.
We’ll delve into their performance, assess their quality, compare prices, and weigh their pros and cons.
Which one will brake to victory? Buckle up and let’s discover the best brand for your car’s stopping power.
TRW vs Zimmermann – Brand Comparison Table
| TRW | Zimmermann | |
| Country of Origin | United States | Germany |
| Year Founded | 1901 | 1947 |
| Made In | mostly in United States, Czech Republic, China | Germany |
| Founder | David Kurtz and four other Cleveland residents | Otto Zimmermann |
| Parent | ZF Friedrichshafen AG | Stand-alone |
| Overall Quality | high-quality and reliable performance | just as good as OEM brake discs with their Coat-Z series |
TRW Coated vs Zimmermann Coat-Z Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – Coated 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:
| TRW | Zimmermann | |
| Series | Coated | Coat-Z |
| Material | High Carbon | Cast Iron |
| Coating | Anti-corrosion coating | Coat Z – anti corrosion coating |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | Equivalent to Original Equipment (OE) standards and designed for a direct fit application | The grey cast iron is further treated with additional ingredients to stabilize its properties, ensuring maximum durability |
| Performance | Offers increased friction coefficient, durability against vibrations and noise, and enhanced thermal efficiency | German production quality with Coat-Z coating that not only enhances longevity but also improves the overall performance |
| Price | $116.20 | $28.25 – $445.32 |
| Warranty | cover defects in material and poor workmanship for 12 months | 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) | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
TRW 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:
| TRW | Zimmermann | |
| Series | Ceramic | Premium Ceramic |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Performance | TRW takes pride in its 100% in-house production of brake pads, coupled with state-of-the-art technology, ensure the production of brake pads that meet the highest industry standards for quality, performance, and safety. | Zimmermann Premium Ceramic brake pads are engineered to provide a quieter and consistently pleasant braking experience, minimizing noise and enhancing overall performance. |
| Price | $21.47 – $160.36 | $24.29 – $308.69 |
| Warranty | covers defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 12 months from date of installation or 18 months from delivery | 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
I’ve had experiences with both TRW and Zimmermann brake parts. Here’s a quick comparison based on user reviews and my own experiences:
TRW
- TRW brakes generally get positive reviews from customers. They’re appreciated for their quality and performance.
- Some users, like those on Reddit, recommend TRW brake pads as a reliable OEM performance choice.
- One user pointed out that TRW pads give the same stopping power but with half the brake dust, which is a big plus.
- Another user noted that TRW pads are more progressive in their stopping power; they might lack the initial bite, but they stop well with good pressure and without squeaking.
Zimmermann
- Zimmermann also gets good reviews from users. Its brake parts are considered a great option for daily and street use.
- The Z coated and drilled rotors are popular for being high-end OEM replacements. They provide harder bite and produce less brake dust.
- Some users have been using Zimmermann parts for years without any issues, and they love them.
- One user mentions that Zimmermann’s rotors are rust-free thanks to the zinc coating, and the vents on the front rotors are a great addition.
In conclusion, both TRW and Zimmermann have their unique strengths.
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:
| TRW Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | Zimmermann Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | TRW Brake Rotor goes from $72.39 | Zimmermann Coat-Z Brake Rotor goes from $19.97 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | TRW Brake Rotor goes for $196.58 | Zimmermann Formula-Z Front Passenger Side Brake Rotor goes for $1,072.23 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for TRW and Zimmermann below:
| TRW Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Zimmermann Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | TRW Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $19.29 | Zimmermann Front Disc Brake Pad Set go from $19.68 |
| Most Expensive Pads | TRW Semi-Metallic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $351.82 | 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.
TRW
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ TRW brake pads and rotors are often considered to be a good value for the price | ❌ Their pads can produce more brake dust than usual |
| ✔ Good all-around performance | |
| ✔ Range of options |
Zimmermann
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ German production quality | ❌ Rare durability issues |
| ✔ Coat Z Coated Brake Discs | |
| ✔ Positive customer reviews |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the feedback, both TRW and Zimmermann are reliable, high-quality brake brands.
However, given the slight edge in customer satisfaction, the reduced brake dust, and the German production quality, Zimmermann appears to be the superior choice overall.
Their Coat Z Coated Brake Discs and consistently positive reviews make them stand out slightly more than TRW.