brake pads for occasional track use

[abar121]

Really interesting reading this tread having done my first track day in the Z4M at Blyton yesterday and really struggling with the brakes after 5 fast laps!
- hadn't considered the DSC interference with brakes to be honest, which is a very good point
- not sure how many track days I'll be doing in the Z but thinking a pad upgrade will be a good next move!

100% worth the upgrade

I upgraded mine along with ATE Super Blue Dot 4 fluid and braided hoses worthwhile upgrade for any Zed IMO

TBH, if you've got your foot welded to the floor and the DSC is applying some braking, it's not going to matter what you upgrade to. DSC really isn't for track use. You could try enabling the M track mode, I've not tried this myself.

 

[Beedub]

please god, everyone just stay away from EBC, totally shite company and their reputation is a google search away, they are for the barry brigade that want to show their "track" compound pads off to their mates.

if you really want a serious pad, look towards pagid rs19/29 .... noisy but very serious.

 

[stealthy21]

Really interesting reading this tread having done my first track day in the Z4M at Blyton yesterday and really struggling with the brakes after 5 fast laps!
- hadn't considered the DSC interference with brakes to be honest, which is a very good point
- not sure how many track days I'll be doing in the Z but thinking a pad upgrade will be a good next move!

100% worth the upgrade

I upgraded mine along with ATE Super Blue Dot 4 fluid and braided hoses worthwhile upgrade for any Zed IMO

TBH, if you've got your foot welded to the floor and the DSC is applying some braking, it's not going to matter what you upgrade to. DSC really isn't for track use. You could try enabling the M track mode, I've not tried this myself.

Trying to get my hands on the software to put M track mode on, seems to be hard to find!

What's everyones thoughts on putting in performance brake fluid for track days? Going for PFC's on the front and rear now so should see me right in the pad department at least

 

[JimmiVW]

I honestly think that DSC off is the best option for the track, did a few laps with and without and it certainly feels overly sensitive (same can be said on the road actually)... If anyone has an experience of M track mode I'd be interested to hear their experiences.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

please god, everyone just stay away from EBC, totally shite company and their reputation is a google search away, they are for the barry brigade that want to show their "track" compound pads off to their mates.

if you really want a serious pad, look towards pagid rs19/29 .... noisy but very serious.

I've used EBC pads on my ///M since 2009 and I've found both Yellow- and Bluestuff to be effective on track and road. I don't deny that their manufacturing practices fell short at one stage, but that seems to have been resolved now.

I have Motul RBF 660 fluid, braided lines and additional cooling ducts, but otherwise a stock brake set up with Bluestuff pads. They take serious punishment in my hands and have behaved without problem. The limit to my ability to decelerate is at the interface between rubber and tarmac, so I'm not sure that more expensive pads would offer me any greater braking performance. You seem to favour the same short, technical tracks that I do, but presumably the maximum speeds you reach before braking are higher as you have more power. As such, you might find that my set up wouldn't be enough to give consistent braking performance but I suspect it would be heat dissipation from the OEM discs and callipers not pad friction material that would be the weak link in the chain.

I wouldn't object to an increase in noise but I'm not sure I want to pay 2-3 times more for pads that don't offer any better performance :idunno:

 

[Beedub]

please god, everyone just stay away from EBC, totally shite company and their reputation is a google search away, they are for the barry brigade that want to show their "track" compound pads off to their mates.

if you really want a serious pad, look towards pagid rs19/29 .... noisy but very serious.

I've used EBC pads on my ///M since 2009 and I've found both Yellow- and Bluestuff to be effective on track and road. I don't deny that their manufacturing practices fell short at one stage, but that seems to have been resolved now.

I have Motul RBF 660 fluid, braided lines and additional cooling ducts, but otherwise a stock brake set up with Bluestuff pads. They take serious punishment in my hands and have behaved without problem. The limit to my ability to decelerate is at the interface between rubber and tarmac, so I'm not sure that more expensive pads would offer me any greater braking performance. You seem to favour the same short, technical tracks that I do, but presumably the maximum speeds you reach before braking are higher as you have more power. As such, you might find that my set up wouldn't be enough to give consistent braking performance but I suspect it would be heat dissipation from the OEM discs and callipers not pad friction material that would be the weak link in the chain.

definitely agree with you, and yes i really prefer the tighter technical type sprint circuits.... its a scene i really really love and actually takes skill to hustle around, braking zones, gear changes and pure handling are they key, a small dollop of HP doesn't hurt however :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I'm still waiting for the day that I can justify spending a big dollop of cash for that extra dollop of horses and the more I spend on brake pads and track tyres, the further into the future that day will be :lol:

 

[thepits]

Z4 due for [a free :wink: ] track day next month

the last time I was out on circuit in a road car was in my trusty E30 M3



here I am at Rockingham.

Bog standard running gear, tyres, brakes, etc.

Nothing broke - just remember to take a screwdriver to park the car after track. Do not, NOT, use the handbrake when parking :thumbsdown:

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Stealthy21, you have a PM

 

[JimmiVW]

Really helpful info here guys, priorities for me sound like pads and potentially braided hoses, plus some cooling tweaks.
I'm running Gulf RF1000 fluid at the moment.

 

[stealthy21]

Just been quoted £120 for pads and fluid change, think I'm gonna try this myself!

 

[hopz121]

Just been quoted £120 for pads and fluid change, think I'm gonna try this myself!

I would it isn't hard

Pads are 15 Minutes a side tops, the hardest part is plugging in the wear sensor

Make sure you have all the tools needed though before you start