I am going to replace both front and rear pads and rotors. I am not sure if i want to go with satisfied ceramic pads with either zimmermann or brembo soild or crossdrilled rotors. I want something that is quite and has good brake performance since my car is a 5speed non-turbo. see if you guys have any advice for me, this is my first time on the forum. thanks.

I did zimmerman rotors and raybestos quiet stop ceramic pads on mine. Loved the ceramic pads and lack of dust/squeeling. Zimmerman rotors warped within 9 months and I replaced with Brembo and have had no issues since. I don't do high performance driving/braking, so I was not happy with the Zimmermans.

Welcome to the board. IPD has a good selection of pads/rotors. They last as long as you want them to, ie. the harder you are on the brakes, the less they last. Call IPD and ask lots of questions and give them feedback on your driving habits: lots of twistie roads, hard on the gas and on the brakes, just cruising down 101, etc.
Volvo specs call for thin rotors which normally be ground once before being trashed. For normal, around town driving, OEM rotors and pads work pretty good and are reasonably cheap.

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

Klaus,
So that new S70 I bought last week is at the dealership. Among the expected issues, I have just been told that I need 4 new rotors. $816 total. Is that a fair price? Should I order something online and have the dealer install that?
Thanks
Kate

Unless you have a dealer unlike the rest of us, they will not install parts you order. Better check with them first, they will also have to tell you that the one year guarentee does not apply to non-OEM parts.
When the rotors and pads both need replacing, which mine will soon, I will wait until I hear the metal to metal "crunching" sound. I expect another 3-4,000 miles from my pads, but I am easy on the brakes. Bremco or OEM? Your choice. Also ask the dealer how much of the $800 is labor. Ask other local garages in your neighborhood for estimates, you may be surprised! Do NOT go to Midas or other chains, they do sloppy work and use really cheap parts.
If you have at least 1/4 inch of pad left, there is no hurry whatsoever.

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

Thanks for the input. I decided to wait, and look into it further. Do you know if these rotors have the hubs built in? A friend told me that if the hubs aren't built into the rotors then they are pretty easy to replace.
-Kate

If you have the tools and jack stands, they are fairly easy to replace. Check out:
http://www.volvospeed.com/maintence.htm
and look for brakes. The front are easier than the rear. The pads are very easy to do.
Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

I went with OEM on my 99 T-5.I did a bunch of research on here and came to my conclusion by those means.I believe Volvo uses a softer rotor material to get the good braking results with the OEM pads.So they may not last as long as others.But Volvo designs for safety.I have the quiet stop on my 760 and been happy with those pads.Very smooth stopping power.The 760s OEM was not the best desingned IMO and less dust also.