If you live in the United States and have come across Nakamoto brake products, then you are probably wondering, are Nakamoto Brakes good? Where are they made?
The truth is that you are likely asking yourself these questions because Nakamoto has not received the attention it deserves.
In this article, we will review the most popular brake products from Nakamoto, namely, their Drilled/Slotted Rotor & Ceramic Brake Pad Kit, their Ceramic Brake Pads, and their Semi-Metallic Brake Pads.
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Comparison of the Best Nakamoto Brake Pads and Rotor Kit
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Who is Nakamoto?
Nakamoto is a Taiwanese-based auto parts company offering top-notch products at affordable prices. Yet, why its name doesn’t sound as familiar as other brands?
Despite Nakamoto’s strong presence in Asia and Europe, one of the reasons why this brand has not gained more traction in North America is because it does not have an established group of distributors, a situation that we hope will be addressed soon.
Review of the Best Nakamoto Brake Pads and Rotor Kit
Are you intrigued by Nakamoto products? Good, because you should. In the next section, we’ll review what makes Nakamoto brake parts so popular among car enthusiasts around the world.
Best Nakamoto Brake Pads and Rotors Kit:Nakamoto Drilled/Slotted Rotor & Ceramic Brake Pad Kit
PROS
- They are lighter than Nakamoto’s Standard rotors
- Feature cutting-edge silver-zinc coating that reduces rust and corrosion
- Provide enhanced ventilation and cooling capabilities to the braking system
- Their rounded slots and chamfered drill holes reduce dust and minimize heat spots
- Offer a comprehensive solution to service/upgrade front and rear brakes at the same time
CONS
- Limited availability for American trucks and SUVs
- Drilled & slotted brake rotors can not be resurfaced
What Type of Brake Pad is Included?
This incredible kit combines the premium features of Nakamoto ceramic brake pads with the improved ventilation capacity of Nakamoto Power Series disc brake rotors. The result is nothing short of extraordinary. Ceramic brake pads are known for their remarkable heat resistance. Using them along with Nakamoto drilled & slotted rotors ensures fade-free stops regardless of the driving conditions.
What Type of Driving are These Best For?
The Nakamoto Drilled/Slotted Rotor & Ceramic Brake Pad Kit is clearly aimed at the most demanding braking applications including mild street racing, serious off-road applications, and drivers looking for a solid pad bite and steady pedal feel during spirited driving. The unsurpassed stopping power provided by this kit could be an extravagance for average daily-driven vehicles though.
Should I Choose a Different Option in this List?
The innumerable benefits of this kit are not without some disadvantages. Aside from its premium price, drilled and slotted rotors tend to form cracks around the holes when used for applications that require constant braking which in turn reduces their service life. Worse yet, given their design, this type of rotor can not be resurfaced therefore they may not be the best option for budget-conscious vehicle owners.
Bottom Line
Hands down, the Nakamoto Drilled/Slotted Rotor & Ceramic Brake Pad Kit is not for those who are faint of heart. They are aimed at people looking for breathtaking braking performance. While it is true that they might be overkill for regular driving, it is also true that the combination of Nakamoto Power Series rotors and ceramic brake pads ensure a more reliable bite during the most demanding driving conditions.
2. Nakamoto Ceramic Brake Pads
PROS
- Easy on the rotor, thus boosting its lifespan
- Minimal dust production which means cleaner wheels
- Unequaled fade resistance during emergency braking situations
- Their ceramic composition delivers low levels of noise and vibration
- Consistent pedal feel under a wide variety of driving and weather conditions
CONS
- They are not recommended for extremely cold climates or heavy-duty applications
- Ceramic brake pads are more expensive than their semi-metallic and organic counterparts
What Type of Brake Pad is This?
Nakamoto premium line of brake pads uses a cutting-edge ceramic formulation, in addition to an innovative Positive Mold Technology which increases even more friction material density and a Multi-Layer Shim which greatly reduces noise and vibration. All in all, the technology employed by Nakamoto maximizes the inherent benefits from the ceramic composition of these pads, making them ideal for high-end cars and trucks.
What Type of Driving are These Best For?
Their top-notch molding, OE grade materials as well as the strict quality control used during their manufacturing process make these pads an ideal solution for people who require smooth braking performance and consistent pedal feel during most common driving situations.
Should I Choose a Different Option in this List?
Even the painstaking production process used by Nakamoto does not exempt these pads from the limitations associated with ceramic friction materials. If your application involves hauling heavy loads, or you live in extremely cold climates, then it is best to use a different pad material and save some money in the process.
Bottom Line
The high quality of Nakamoto ceramic pads, as well as their low noise levels and minimal dust production, make them an excellent alternative to OE offerings, especially for vehicle owners looking for an upscale braking experience. However, if what you need is a solid pad bite at a reasonable price, then Nakamoto semi-metallics may be a better option.
3. Nakamoto Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
PROS
- Better value than Nakamoto ceramic brake pads
- Perfect fit thanks to its application-specific shape
- Superior stopping power than similar ceramic brake pads
- OE grade brake shims deliver low noise and vibration levels
- Offer reliable performance and adequate pad bite during normal driving situations
CONS
- Their semi-metallic friction material decreases rotor life
- They lack the anti-dust properties of ceramic brake pads
What Type of Brake Pad is This?
You can think of Nakamoto semi-metallic brake pads as a line offering a balance between value and performance. Make no mistake, these are not low-end brake pads, but more an alternative to Nakamoto state-of-the-art ceramic brake pads line. As such, they offer similar stopping power but at the expense of generating more dust and being noisier.
What Type of Driving are These Best For?
Their semi-metallic formulation confers these brake pads slightly higher stopping power than their ceramic counterparts. This aspect makes them a logical choice for SUVs, pickup trucks, and heavy passenger cars that can take advantage of their enhanced capabilities. Moreover, the incredible value of Nakamoto semi-metallic pads positions them as an excellent choice for daily-driven vehicles.
Should I Choose a Different Option in this List?
Nakamoto semi-metallic brake pads offer incredible braking performance at a really competitive price. However, they wear brake rotors considerably faster than ceramic pads and have a greater chance of fading under extreme braking situations. Add their tendency to squeaking, and you may want to reconsider the option of fitting Nakamoto ceramic brake pads instead.
Bottom Line
Basically, if you have decided to purchase Nakamoto brake pads, you only have two lines to choose from, ceramic pads or semi-metallic pads. If your main concern is having less brake dust, minimum noise levels, and exceptional pad longevity then Nakamoto ceramic brake pads are for you. On the other hand, if what you need are OE-level brake pads at a reasonable price then Nakamoto semi-metallic pads may serve you better.
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What Else Does Nakamoto Make?
In a world where most brands prefer specializing in a single product line, Nakamoto has maintained the traditional approach of offering high-quality auto parts in different categories.
Gaskets & Sealings
From simple oil pan gaskets to high-end cylinder head gaskets, Nakamoto offers all kinds of gaskets for automotive applications as well as valve seats, and diverse automotive o-ring sets.
Suspension & Steering
Nakamoto offers all key suspension and steering components including ball joints, idler arms, power steering pumps, suspension control arms, springs, tie rods, stabilizer links, shock absorbers, and more.
Transmission & Drivetrain
Nakamoto also has a complete line of drivetrain, manual and automatic transmission parts including clutch discs, automatic transmission filters, wheel hubs & bearings, and transmission gears, among others.
Rubber Parts
Ranging from control arm bushings to radiator water hoses, Nakamoto also offers a comprehensive line of OE grade rubber parts.
Engine Parts
With over 20,000 different parts, this is one of the most extensive lines of Nakamoto, covering most popular Japanese, American, and European vehicles. If you need an engine part, chances are Nakamoto builds it.
Electrical Parts
From blower motors to complete radiator fan assemblies, from starters to alternators, Nakamoto also has one of the most complete lines of electricals parts in the market.
Engine Management Parts
Aside from electrical parts, Nakamoto also manufactures high-quality electronic components including a myriad of engine sensors and actuators mainly for Asian and European vehicles.
Brake Parts
Last but not least, Nakamoto design and manufacture a broad range of brake parts. Aside from drilled & slotted brake disc rotors, ceramic brake pads, and semi-metallic pads, the Taiwanese brand also offer top quality brake boosters, brake drums, brake pumps, brake valve assemblies, caliper assemblies, and even brake lining, meaning Nakamoto could easily become your one-stop source of reliable brake parts.
What Makes Nakamoto Brakes Stand Out From the Competition?
Without any doubt what makes Nakamoto brakes stand out from the competition is their exceptional manufacturing process. Brake parts are produced in a fully-automated facility that follows the most stringent OE standards and specifications as well as the most recent environmental awareness requirements. The outcome is an unmatched level of quality and reliability. Proof of such quality is their 10-year limited warranty on the ceramic brake pad and rotor kits.
In terms of price-quality ratio, Nakamoto is often compared against other renowned aftermarket brands such as PowerStop since it offers comparable features at a competitive price.
Are Nakamoto Brakes Any Good?
Given that brake system quality and reliability is key to your safety, it is understandable asking yourself if Nakamoto brakes are any good.
In that regard, a factor that works against this brand is the fact that there are few reviews on how Nakamoto brake pads and rotors perform in different applications. Nevertheless, if history has proven something, is that bad reviews are always the first to appear, and so far, Nakamoto’s reputation is free from negative ratings.
Taking into account Nakamoto’s state-of-the-art automated brake parts facility, their 40+ years serving the demanding Eurasian market, and its presence in over 50 countries around the world, it’s safe to say that their brake products have all the elements to win a vote of confidence.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether you prefer the premium braking experience of its ceramic brake pads, the affordable price of its semi-metallic pads, or the unsurpassed performance of its kit of drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic brake pads, Nakamoto is a great alternative to original equipment brake pads and rotors.
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People Also Ask
Having some doubts about this or any other brand of brake products is completely reasonable. The following section seeks to answer the most common questions regarding Nakamoto products.
Where Are Nakamoto Products Made?
NAKAMOTO INDUSTRIAL CO manufacturing facilities are located in the Neihu district in Taipei, Taiwan. As mentioned during our review, the Nakamoto brake parts line is fully automated and uses minimal human interaction.
How Long Has Nakamoto Been Around?
The brand was founded by the Lin family in 1980, meaning that Nakamoto has been around for over 40 years. Since then, it has grown steadily to the point of becoming a leading supplier of a plethora of OE grade aftermarket automotive parts in over 50 countries.
What Kind of Warranty Does Nakamoto Offer?
Nakamoto offers a 10-year limited lifetime warranty on its perforated and slotted brake rotor and ceramic brake pad kit. Please notice that Nakamoto’s warranty does not cover defects attributed to normal wear and tear, but only issues related to defective materials or manufacturing problems.
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