Applicable to: '90 - '97
Cross-drilled brake rotors, stock diameter
I purchased both front and rear Powerstop cross-drilled rotors from Brakewarehouse.com, for $60-65 each wheel. The rotors arrived, shipped from the supplier, in about one week. The rotors are the same size and shape as the OEM rotors. The front rotors are vented and the rear rotors are solid. The cross-dilled holes are located so that they do not cut through the vanes in the vented fronts and the holes are countersunk. The rotors arrived with a cadium (gold-colored) coating. The rotors are directional and are marked "R" and "L" with peel off stickers. The edges of the rotors are stamped "Brembo." I take this to mean that Powerstop buys Brembo rotors, drills them, and re-sells them. The rotors installed perfectly on my '94 M-edition, no problems. The cadmium coating quickly wears off the rotors where the pads contact, as designed. The rest of the rotors remain coated, preventing corrosion.
Overall, the rotors give the car a sportier look. I've only had them on the car for a few days, so I can't comment on their reliability. However, I used the same brand on my previous car (a '91 Turbo MR2) and had no problems with wear or failure. In fact, they held up well under spirited back-roads driving, no warping. This was an improvement over the Toyota OEM rotors, which kept warping under similar conditions. When coupled with Axxis Ultimate pads and Russel SS lines, braking is improved. See my review for the pads for more discussion.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to '90 - '97 1.8 liter
PowerStop gold plated cross-drilled brake rotors, front and back sets (1994 Miata)
These rotors were ordered from Finish Line Performance and have been on the car now for approximately one month. The two front rotors looked fine when the boxes were originally opened, but the two rear rotors both looked like they did not go throught the "plating" process correctly. One had a grey "tarnished" looking ring that went completely around the rotor. The other rear rotor 's gold finish seemed to rub off easily with just a finger ... both rear rotors were clearly not of the same quality as the front rotors. Both sets have been on the car now for about one month. The two front rotors look great ... one rear is COMPLETELY rusted and looks REALLY awful, the other rear rotor also looks bad because the grey streak is easily seen from a distance.
I did not return the rear rotors immediately because I did not know good "plating" from bad, and not being familiar with this product, I assumed they would be fine once installed. I was unhappy with the streak on one rear rotor, but I was willing to live with the streak because I did NOT want to postpone getting my brakes done. BIG MISTAKE! I should have returned them immediately ...
PowerStop will not take the rears back saying that commercial wheel cleaners can EASILY damage the gold plating ...
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Drilled, rear (solid) brake rotors; rust-proofed with a golden coating; include some installation and break-in notes. These rotors are "directional" and marked Left and Right - thus, they must be fitted in matched pairs.
Fitted to rear of '96M. After removing the calipers and caliper mounts, the rotor should slip off - more often it is rusted on to the hub. If WD-40 and a rubber mallet will not encourage it, you can screw a metric bolt into the threaded hole on the rotor... this will press against the hub and eventually pop it free. PowerStop recommend replacing the pads when new rotors are fitted; I used Porterfield "street" compound pads sourced from Dealer Alternative.
These rotors have a lovely, golden hue and their vent hole machine-work is first rate they look great on the rear, very business-like. After break-in the working surface area coating is worn away, revealing a silver steel colour.
There is some concern that drilled rotors may form hairline cracks emanating from the machined holes. imho, the "solid", un-vented REAR rotors, which also bear less stress than the fronts, are completely safe. These PowerStop rear rotors are very high quality replacements, and really look great back there - giving the impression that the rears were drilled to reduce weight, improve acceleration )
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
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