Welcome to the ultimate face-off between two titans of automotive brake systems: Wagner and Zimmermann.
As a car enthusiast, I’ve delved deep into their performance, quality, and pricing to bring you a comprehensive comparison.
Buckle up as we navigate the pros and cons, and figure out who really leads the race in providing the best braking power.
Wagner vs Zimmermann – Brand Comparison Table
| Wagner | Zimmermann | |
| Country of Origin | United States | Germany |
| Year Founded | 1891 | 1947 |
| Made In | mostly in China | Germany |
| Founder | Herbert Appleton Wagner | Otto Zimmermann |
| Parent | Federal-Mogul Motorparts group | Stand-alone |
| Overall Quality | generally considered to be of respectable quality | just as good as OEM brake discs with their Coat-Z series |
Wagner BD126407E vs Zimmermann Coat-Z Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – BD126407E 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:
| Wagner | Zimmermann | |
| Series | BD126407E | Coat-Z |
| Material | Cast Iron | Cast Iron |
| Coating | Zinc coated | Coat Z – anti corrosion coating |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | Balanced through spin balancing and precision cut to minimize vibrations, enhancing stability and control | The grey cast iron is further treated with additional ingredients to stabilize its properties, ensuring maximum durability |
| Performance | The Original Equipment (OE)-specific vane design ensures powerful braking performance and efficient heat dissipation, while effectively managing noise, vibration, and harshness | German production quality with Coat-Z coating that not only enhances longevity but also improves the overall performance |
| Price | $53.98 | $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) | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Wagner QuickStop 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:
| Wagner | Zimmermann | |
| Series | QuickStop Ceramic | Premium Ceramic |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Performance | 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. | Zimmermann Premium Ceramic brake pads are engineered to provide a quieter and consistently pleasant braking experience, minimizing noise and enhancing overall performance. |
| Price | $11.21 – $144.42 | $24.29 – $308.69 |
| Warranty | covers defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 24 months (24,000 miles) | 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 comparing the quality and performance of Wagner and Zimmermann brake parts, both brands seem to have their own set of advantages and drawbacks according to user reviews:
Wagner:
- Many users recommend Wagner brake parts, especially the ThermoQuiet brake pads, for their cars due to their high performance.
- Users note that Wagner brake pads have a good bite and produce less brake dust, making them a cleaner option.
- Their premium brake rotors have an E-Shield protective electro-coating on non-braking surfaces which helps prevent corrosion.
- However, some users have reported issues with Wagner parts, such as failure or noise production.
Zimmermann:
- Zimmermann brake parts receive positive reviews, with users recommending their Z coated rotors for everyday street use.
- The drilled rotors are considered high-end, offering a stronger bite and less brake dust.
- Users report that Zimmermann parts are essentially as good as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, minus the BMW stamp. They have been run for almost two years with no issues.
- Another advantage mentioned by users is the zinc coating on Zimmermann parts that keeps the hats rust-free, along with vents on the front rotors.
Ultimately, the choice between Wagner and Zimmermann will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
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:
| Wagner Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | Zimmermann Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | Wagner Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $18.86 | Zimmermann Coat-Z Brake Rotor goes from $19.97 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | Wagner Vented Front Brake Rotor goes for $385.06 | Zimmermann Formula-Z Front Passenger Side Brake Rotor goes for $1,072.23 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for Wagner and Zimmermann below:
| Wagner Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Zimmermann Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | Wagner QuickStop Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $10.77 | Zimmermann Front Disc Brake Pad Set go from $19.68 |
| Most Expensive Pads | Wagner QuickStop Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $144.42 | 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.
Wagner
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Reliability | ❌ Complains about brake dust and noise from some of their brake pads |
| ✔ Respectable quality | |
| ✔ Affordable pricing |
Zimmermann
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ German production quality | ❌ Rare durability issues |
| ✔ Coat Z Coated Brake Discs | |
| ✔ Positive customer reviews |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After reviewing customer feedback and considering both pros and cons, I declare Zimmermann as the better pick overall.
Zimmermann’s German production quality, Coat Z Coated Brake Discs, and overwhelmingly positive reviews, despite rare durability issues, seem to edge out Wagner’s reliable but occasionally dusty and noisy performance.
Therefore, Zimmermann appears to offer superior overall user satisfaction.
