replacement brake rotors

[rstar]

I need to replace the rotors on my 97 S10 pickup and needed some advice.
I noticed so far that new rotors cost anywhere from $30 to over $100 each.
What is the difference between these offerings. Are the $30 one not going to last?
Thanks in advance.

[maxwedge]

30 dollars are made in China and poor quality, 100 is the best you can buy, but Chinas tend to rust up easily depends on brake use and climate I guess.

[rlith]

I've had good luck with the wearevers from advance... Running my second set of pads on my current rotors..26 a piece...

[jsgold]

I have used Advance's rotors too, with no troubles on several of my family's GM's over the last few years including my Blazer. If money not a major issue you could go with a name brand like Bendix. Not sure if these slotted rotors are worth the big bucks they cost, unless your are using better calipers. Personally I would not spend 100 bucks each on a rotor. I think the quailty of the pads and condition of the caliper is more important than the rotors.

[ctesla]

rstar,
if you are not building a race truck,
get the $30. rotors.
now, that said, before you even leave the parts store, have then put them on the lathe, and check them for trueness. if they are slightly warped, have them turned right then and there, for an additional $7-10.each and know that the rotors will not be the culprits of pulsation, early caliper seizing, brake pad glaze and/or fade, etc.
if they are true, and no turning is necessary, prior to bolting on, spray brake cleaner over the entire braking surface, as there is a thin protective coating on ANY rotor, so if it sits in a warehouse, or parts store for years, won't build up rust; you do NOT want this left on for your pads, or glazing, pulsing, sticking/grabbing,and possible warping can occur.
the money youv'e saved on the rotors: spend on new grease and bearings (if needed) as these items have the REAL wear and tear on them.

I have the original rotors on my S10 at 176+K and have no pulsing or warping... I also rebuild, grease and lube my calipers every time I'm in there ($10. kit), and I use high dollar carbon metallic pads which dissipate heat more rapidily than traditional semi-metals.
you can also use organic pads (same numbers as semi-metallic pads, except dropping a prefix or suffix; EX: bendix#MKD154, becomes a D154S, the M is metallic, the S at the end indicating a sensor, etc.), and organics are great for absolutely no noise and no pulse, they are even less expensive; the down side is they tear up very quickly and if no sensor your ruining new or used rotors.
Bendix, Wagner, and other name brands have come up with new technology and some are named, Thermo-Quiets, or QuietStops, etc.
these are around $30 for your application, and are superior for all around everyday driving, and they come with shims, with sensors, and a chemical coating has already been applied to the entire pad, so using the brake quiet goop is a thing of the past, just put in and go.

hope this helps,
chris
nrt racing