BMW Brakes
#1
BMW Brakes
So, for those that have driven a brand new BMW, you know what I'm talking about. I'm looking for brakes that when you barely touch em, they stop. Car is a daily driver, so I know I'm looking for overkill. But I do miss that feeling. I love the look of the two piece rotors, but I'm not sure if that's the right path or not.
My car is 97 and is a daily driver with 150k on it. I don't drag race or track the car. Currently has 20" wheels with little rubber bands for tires. If anyone has suggestions for pads/rotors, please let me know.
Doing research, things change over the years. People have recommended different brands and such throughout the years. I was originally going to just get ac delco everything. Off rockauto it's $380 for everything.
OBVS looking for best bang for buck, even looking into used c6 parts. Let me know what ya'll think. Thanks!
My car is 97 and is a daily driver with 150k on it. I don't drag race or track the car. Currently has 20" wheels with little rubber bands for tires. If anyone has suggestions for pads/rotors, please let me know.
Doing research, things change over the years. People have recommended different brands and such throughout the years. I was originally going to just get ac delco everything. Off rockauto it's $380 for everything.
OBVS looking for best bang for buck, even looking into used c6 parts. Let me know what ya'll think. Thanks!
#2
Pro
If you want immediate feel, you're going to want to research brake fluid and master cylinders. The tire is the most important part of actual brake performance. Pads, calipers and rotors are more about longevity, ie, how many stops can you get out of them. Pads can alter feel though, depending on the compound and heat resistant qualities. Hard to explain over the internet though. You'll get a million different answers.
What sort of tires do you have?
What sort of tires do you have?
Last edited by ArtClassShank; 08-22-2017 at 12:30 PM.
#3
Instructor
None of BMW's OE brake pad suppliers (ATE, Pagid, Textar, Jurid) make street pads for the C5 (Pagid makes race pads for C5 front calipers). What you're looking for is something with high initial torque/"bite" (i.e. a more aggressive pad). Hawk HPS is popular, although I run Akebono pads on the street (I used their Euro Ceramic pads on my BMWs, and they were awesome - same feel as OE but without the horrendous dust). Your rotors won't affect brake feel that much, they mainly affect fade resistance (not as important on a street car). The hydraulic system can be a big factor, too. Installing stainless lines and flushing the system with new fluid helped my car a lot.
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tony2003 (08-29-2017)
#4
If you want immediate feel, you're going to want to research brake fluid and master cylinders. The tire is the most important part of actual brake performance. Pads, calipers and rotors are more about longevity, ie, how many stops can you get out of them. Pads can alter feel though, depending on the compound and heat resistant qualities. Hard to explain over the internet though. You'll get a million different answers.
What sort of tires do you have?
What sort of tires do you have?
#5
Drifting
From a brake pad/rotor/tire combination, you probably have the same capability as a BMW. The difference will be in the amount of boost the power brake assist provides to the system as a function of your foot pressure. American autos just perform differently. I don't know of a way to change this as there is no setting I know of of to change it.
there may be some brake pads that will give you more "bite", but at the cost of more dust and wear. I expect the brake pad sales force to be calling soon to this post. They will have plenty of ideas on how to spend more money on your brake system. At the end you will still have the same foot pressure.
nothing beats the brake performance of a set of the pads appropriate for your driving needs, and a well bedded rotor. However the foot pressure will not be affected but marginally for the stopping power.
there may be some brake pads that will give you more "bite", but at the cost of more dust and wear. I expect the brake pad sales force to be calling soon to this post. They will have plenty of ideas on how to spend more money on your brake system. At the end you will still have the same foot pressure.
nothing beats the brake performance of a set of the pads appropriate for your driving needs, and a well bedded rotor. However the foot pressure will not be affected but marginally for the stopping power.
#6
I have hankook evo2 tires. They aren't very good. They aren't great, but they aren't good. They've been decent. These are the only low pro tires I could get to fit on the car with the 20's. Yes, I have 20's on the car. If I could get this wheel style in 18's and 19's I would.
Tire size:
245/30zr20
285/30zr20
A forum vendor recommended these:
http://www.knsbrakes.com/c/car-serie...5.0+Brake+Pads
Tire size:
245/30zr20
285/30zr20
A forum vendor recommended these:
http://www.knsbrakes.com/c/car-serie...5.0+Brake+Pads
#8
Drifting
I use these on the track and love them for their stopping power.
https://www.powerstop.com/product/track-day-brake-kit/
Pros - will rip your face off when heated up
Cons - very dusty and squeal.
https://www.powerstop.com/product/track-day-brake-kit/
Pros - will rip your face off when heated up
Cons - very dusty and squeal.
#9
Supporting Vendor
Member Since: Oct 2002
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St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Pads:
Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
Rotors just get some Centric premium rotors.
Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
Rotors just get some Centric premium rotors.
__________________
Adam Adelstein
Amp’D Autosport.com
Internet's largest retailer of Carbotech Performance Brake Pads.
PH:216-780-8825.
Email: sales@ampdautosport.com
Web Site & Direct ordering http://ampdautosport.com/
All major CC and Pay Pal accepted.
Check out Promo code:z28
Adam Adelstein
Amp’D Autosport.com
Internet's largest retailer of Carbotech Performance Brake Pads.
PH:216-780-8825.
Email: sales@ampdautosport.com
Web Site & Direct ordering http://ampdautosport.com/
All major CC and Pay Pal accepted.
Check out Promo code:z28
#10
Burning Brakes
I think he means the feel of the pedal...
I had many cars where I've upgraded pads and rotors, lines, but our vettes suck in feel.. the pedal feels so dead.... flaky...floaty...
I've had the calipers seals/etc... all rebuilt, new pads, new rotors, new fluids, ss lines and it still feels like junk in terms of response, solidness and feel.
I guess it comes down the MBC and booster... I don't think many vette owners care...
I run HP+ pads and compared to my other cars where I ran HP+ pads... they don't feel the same and that sucks...
I had many cars where I've upgraded pads and rotors, lines, but our vettes suck in feel.. the pedal feels so dead.... flaky...floaty...
I've had the calipers seals/etc... all rebuilt, new pads, new rotors, new fluids, ss lines and it still feels like junk in terms of response, solidness and feel.
I guess it comes down the MBC and booster... I don't think many vette owners care...
I run HP+ pads and compared to my other cars where I ran HP+ pads... they don't feel the same and that sucks...
#14
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St. Jude Donor '11,'13
No Carbotech does not produce a graph.
Here is there post from years ago.
Originally Posted by ZR1 MK View Post
Carbotech
Why dont you and other brake pad manufactures publish their friction graphs like Wilwood?
Ive been using PF 01 pads front and rear for many years. What Carbotech product would have similar characteristics?
Seems most use a milder pad in the rear. I average 130 degree less in the rear, but Im happy with the same pads all around. Your thoughts.
Because there is no set standard for testing CoF. You can set the test up to show the kind of numbers you want to see. There are too many variables. This is exactly why a lot of companies have gone away from having those graphs.
Here is there post from years ago.
Originally Posted by ZR1 MK View Post
Carbotech
Why dont you and other brake pad manufactures publish their friction graphs like Wilwood?
Ive been using PF 01 pads front and rear for many years. What Carbotech product would have similar characteristics?
Seems most use a milder pad in the rear. I average 130 degree less in the rear, but Im happy with the same pads all around. Your thoughts.
Because there is no set standard for testing CoF. You can set the test up to show the kind of numbers you want to see. There are too many variables. This is exactly why a lot of companies have gone away from having those graphs.
#15
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
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So, for those that have driven a brand new BMW, you know what I'm talking about. I'm looking for brakes that when you barely touch em, they stop. Car is a daily driver, so I know I'm looking for overkill. But I do miss that feeling. I love the look of the two piece rotors, but I'm not sure if that's the right path or not.
My car is 97 and is a daily driver with 150k on it. I don't drag race or track the car. Currently has 20" wheels with little rubber bands for tires. If anyone has suggestions for pads/rotors, please let me know.
Doing research, things change over the years. People have recommended different brands and such throughout the years. I was originally going to just get ac delco everything. Off rockauto it's $380 for everything.
OBVS looking for best bang for buck, even looking into used c6 parts. Let me know what ya'll think. Thanks!
My car is 97 and is a daily driver with 150k on it. I don't drag race or track the car. Currently has 20" wheels with little rubber bands for tires. If anyone has suggestions for pads/rotors, please let me know.
Doing research, things change over the years. People have recommended different brands and such throughout the years. I was originally going to just get ac delco everything. Off rockauto it's $380 for everything.
OBVS looking for best bang for buck, even looking into used c6 parts. Let me know what ya'll think. Thanks!
Grabbier brakes don't mean the car will stop any quicker. They just require less pedal pressure on initial brake application. That is something that can be different from car to car even within the same brand/model depending on which brake pads are used.
If the brakes are capable of locking all 4 wheels (within what ABS permits) then you have plenty of brake capacity for the street and stop and go traffic.
Bill
#18
Team Owner
I did a MovIt Brembo front big brake kit on my last C5 FRC, and my current Z06 has a Stillen AP kit front and rear. My college roommate has a FRC with an Essex AP kit which uses stock size rotors. It is amazing how much a big brake kit improves brake feel.
A high torque pad with good fluid, and stainless lines is much less expensive starting point.
A high torque pad with good fluid, and stainless lines is much less expensive starting point.
Last edited by 93Polo; 08-29-2017 at 10:22 PM.
#20
Team Owner
If you are going for track time I would very much look at the Essex kits. If it is a street car I may look at a C6 Z06 upgrade if you're wheels will clear them. The LG Gstop maybe another option which again allows for stock 13" rotors. I think the AP caliper in the Essex kit would be more rigid than the Wilwood in the LG kit but I maybe wrong and on the street I doubt you would notice.
The Autocross section has had some good brake discussions, I would read up on there.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-or-f14-s.html
When buying a BBK look at prices and availability of consumables (rotors/pads) and what your goals for the upgrade are. The LG Gstop and Essex sprint kit are as close to my old MovIt kit (12.8" rotor 4 piston Brembo "big reds") as you can get, which was a major improvement. I was running a standard street replacement pad for a Porsche 993TT.
MovIt is in Germany which maybe convenient for you.
Last edited by 93Polo; 08-30-2017 at 10:17 AM.
The following users liked this post:
bj1888 (08-30-2017)