Just wondering, for these 240's are the aftermarket brake pads just as good as OEM or should I stick to the Volvo brand and, are the Brembo rotors as good as the Volvo disc?
I'm told I should stay with Volvo disc due the the aftermarket disc not holding up so well on the 240's and that they will heat up and warp faster then the OEM's.

When it comes to the pads and rotors what do you guys perfer?

I buy aftermarket. I cannot justify the the price of the OEM Pads. The vehicle stops just fine and the brakes are so easy to replace that if they do not last the same amount of mileage as the OEM's... I don't care.
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html

For the past 66K miles, I have been running ATE power discs with PBR pads. The pads on the front have another 10K left on them before replacement. The rotors have not warped or whined in the least bit over those miles and the pads have been quiet 99.99% of the time. If I have to bury the breaks in an "emergency situation", they will squeal a bit for a few stops afterwards.

Whatever you do, do NOT use Chinese over the counter brake rotors, they will warp very quickly. Stick with true Brembo or true ATE rotors, my preference is ATE, please note that I have hammered the crap out of these brakes over the past 66K miles and they have performed flawlessly. The PBR pads seem to last longer than stock Volvo, but I will not make a single bad statement about OE pads.

jorrell
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92 245 299.3K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

Brake pads are no issue, pick a reputable semi-metallic (or one of the new regular use ceramic pads), they all work great. Volvo gets them from ATE or Girling, etc. The brake discs that Volvo sells cost 2.5 - 3X the aftermarket rotors and material wise are better than most aftermarket. The aftermarket ones are cheaper material and will rust faster if not used regularly (unless your in S. Calif). If you use the car pretty regularly the aftermarket ones are fine. Probably only get 1, maybe 2 sets of pads on them before replacement, but hey they are really cheap. Good luck.

Mike

Depends upon what's important to you. I like OEM brake parts. In my experience, OEM brake pads will outlast aftermarket and are easier on your rotors. Aftermarket usually have less dust and may stop your car quicker. The rotors are a tougher choice because OEM cost significantly more than aftermarket. If you can afford it go with OEM. Chances are you'll be replacing them less often. Which makes them a good value in my book...:)
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95 855 GLT Sportwagon, 93 854 GLT (for sale), 90 244 DL 300k :)

Well, I have a new set of Brembo disc still in the box although they have develop some surface rust because they have been in the garage for the past 3 months waiting to be put on the car. I forgot what brand pads I bought at the time, I think they are PBR but I'm not sure.

Anyway, this is my job for he weekend.

Next job will be those rear brake lights :(

I went with Brembo rotors on the front of my 740. They're OEM for some brake systems, ATE are for others, and for 240's others may be as well.

You can just find the company that makes the OEM part and buy direct from them. Volvo dealers do nothing more than put the OEM parts in a volvo box and pretty packaging.

I have had great results with my new rotors. I recommend using semi-metal brake pads. They last a lot longer, give you more braking power, and produce less dust. They're a little harder on your rotors, but nowhere near as hard as ceramic. I would avoid ceramics unless you're racing your brick or something.

Happy Bricking

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1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond

"Volvo dealers do nothing more than put the OEM parts in a volvo box and pretty packaging."

Where did you pull that one from?

I don't know all the details, but in buying from 2 different dealers over several years, I believe they get them from a central distribution system, with warehouses in Californial and Georgia (that I know of).

I seriously doubt that individual dealers have the time or facilities to seal randomly sourced rotors in nitrogen filled plastic bags, like the OE rotors I've received from Beechmont Volvo in Cincinnati.

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Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.

Thanks for the tips. I believe I'm using semi-metalic but I'm not 100% sure, I'll have to find out.