Brembo Brake upgrade *Update

[TheDan]

I use these but with a 325mm disc not a 345mm. I don't really have a benchmark compared to stock Z4 calipers as I replaced the stock ones after 1 track day (the DS2500s I had were dead by 2pm). With the Brembo calipers I have done 3 or 4 track days and around 8000kms driving and probably have similar pad wear (5-6mm left), also using Carbotech (XP8).

The rears are stock, but I had to fit much better pads after the yellowstuffs I put on the rear (thinking the rear doesn't do that much braking) ended up metal on metal after 1 track day. Since then I opt for bluestuff or orangestuff as they're pretty cheap and seem to last.

 

[Argenta]

Yeah the M prob also have a different main cylinder so I can't compare.

(Nice upgrade there tho! )

 

[TheDan]

Ah sorry, I missed that yours is an M!

 

[Argenta]

So has anyone else even tried the "Megane" Brembo's on trackday etc..?

 

[Martyn]

I have them on my car but i've not driven with them in anger on track. If you're finding the bias too great up front then popping some more agressive pads in the rear will help bring the bias rearward.

 

[Argenta]

I mean the feeling is great, its just this years pads wore down much faster than before. I try to figure out if its because of the semi-slicks or anything else.. I figure better traction might mean hotter brakes aswell..?

 

[Ed Doe]

The additional traction semi-slicks will give will certainly give the brakes a much harder workout on track - if you think you're braking later at the end of a straight, you're not only going to have been accelerating for a little longer, you're also going to be converting all that kinetic energy into heat in a shorter braking distance/time. So the effective 'peak' brake temperature will be higher in any given braking zone.

Id be surprised if your issue is related to the calipers.

 

[mmm-five]

Definitely will see higher wear, and not just on braking components!

My BMW e34 M5 maintenance regime trebled once I started using semi-slicks - including £1000/corner/year on front EDC suspension struts (before I swapped to a non-EDC Bilstein kit).

The only thing that did last longer were the tyres...although you can have a lot of fun with staggered sets if you swap the rears & fronts around

 

[Argenta]

Thanx all, I’ll check out further cooling

 

[Ed Doe]

Post a pic of the pad pattern up for those?

If they run the same pattern as the ap racing kit for the z4m then the ex btcc pads will fit and a chap on the track time Facebook group sells them for about 50 quid a set, they've literally been bedded in and done a couple of laps, so basically new. They're bloody good!

 

[Argenta]

Here’s a comparison between std & megane pads. Also how well they fit the Z4M disc!

 

[Ed Doe]

Here’s a comparison between std & megane pads. Also how well they fit the Z4M disc!

81F14A06-934D-4FD3-B1B4-4118D9738C10.jpeg

8F9B7E76-88D8-4886-A6D3-AA8D02359541.jpeg

Well they're definitely a fair chunk bigger than oe
:lol:

Sadly they're not the same pattern as the ap racing/btcc pads. Not to worry I'm sure as has been said some cooling mods and perhaps an even a pad compound with a bit more heat resistance should see you right. I think orange stuff is designed as an endurance pad and supposed to be very good for big temperatures?


EDIT - these are the ap racing pattern pad - same as the bmw performance 6pot ones, next to my old 3.0si pads for reference.

 

[Argenta]

Carbotech XP8 is my favourite for the track/street actually and I had them on my OEM setup too. I think only hard-core stuff like PFC 08, XP10 etc would stand heat better. So I think I'll keep my XP8 all around.

 

[Ed Doe]

Carbotech XP8 is my favourite for the track/street actually and I had them on my OEM setup too. I think only hard-core stuff like PFC 08, XP10 etc would stand heat better. So I think I'll keep my XP8 all around.

That's fair, totally up to you with use mix etc - but the reason you're running to the edge of the pad performance on track (in terms of heat and wear rate) will be the semi-slicks that's all!

 

[Argenta]

Ok thanx for input!