Better brakes - the next project.

[t-tony]

I've been thinking about this for a while now, that my standard brakes could do with an upgrade. Stock disc are 300mm x 22mm. A decent size which I'm thinking some drilled/grooved front discs (for a start) and some redstuff pads. Better stopping and less brake dust. @billz suggested to me some Mtec items and I found these on eBay earlier this evening.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110428193755?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Couple these with some of these,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111930981919?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

and that should improve the stopping power. Then I'll do the rears later.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

I'm just doing the same maths. Will be Red Stuff pads for sure. The Mtec discs are good as you can pay extra for them to be coated so they don't corrode. 3 colour options on the website.

 

[billz]

Just be careful of the Redstuff pads as they are not designed for lighter cars and on EBC website they are not listed for the Z4 JMO

 

[t-tony]

I'm just doing the same maths. Will be Red Stuff pads for sure. The Mtec discs are good as you can pay extra for them to be coated so they don't corrode. 3 colour options on the website.

I saw the "Gold" ones Gaz, but I haven't read the full add yet.

Tony.

 

[Mint]

They look the dogs doo dahs Tony. Not too much more than regular discs either

 

[t-tony]

Just be careful of the Redstuff pads as they are not designed for lighter cars and on EBC website they are not listed for the Z4 JMO

Another option might be the "Ultimax" pads Bill, they have a coating to prep old discs are low dust and quote better friction.

Going to bend the ears of the guys at ECP and AP tomorrow and see if they can beet these prices.

Tony.

ps. Roy runs redstuff in his 2.8 Z3 and he told me on Sunday that all he has to be careful of is the first couple of applications to just get a little heat in them.

 

[GazHyde]

Red stuff are known to need heat in them to work at their best. There are a few more on here who run them, if it wasn't for the dust I'd run yellows.

 

[t-tony]

Yep, that's stated for all the EBC range, going by the adds. Low dust would be a bonus for me, but better stopping power is the name of the game. I'll get some prices tomorrow and see where to go and when. The fund needs a little TLC at the mo......................

Tony.

 

[Bozzy]

Interesting to read this at the mo as I have to replace my front brakes cus they're warped after 12k miles.
Been looking at black diamond but they're not cheap .
Are the Mtech ones decent as they're cheaper than black diamond?.

Steve

 

[t-tony]

Interesting to read this at the mo as I have to replace my front brakes cus they're warped after 12k miles.
Been looking at black diamond but they're not cheap .
Are the Mtech ones decent as they're cheaper than black diamond?.

Steve

I'm going on Bill's recommendation Steve and it's been documented on here that he likes to travel "quickly" so if he's not had any gripes I think it's fair to say, yes, they're ok. I can bend some ears on prices for you if you'd like?

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Best ask about some prices for a certain cheerful chappy's calliper's too I guess.

Tony.

 

[Bozzy]

I'm going on Bill's recommendation Steve and it's been documented on here that he likes to travel "quickly" so if he's not had any gripes I think it's fair to say, yes, they're ok. I can bend some ears on prices for you if you'd like?

Tony.

Yes I've heard Billz doesn't hang about .
Oh yes please Tony re prices ,would you see what cost the red stuff pads are as well.
Been on the phone to Crest motorsport today in Nottingham to get some prices on brakes and suspension,they're meant to be getting back to me as well.

Steve

 

[Bozzy]

Best ask about some prices for a certain cheerful chappy's calliper's too I guess.

Tony.

You referring to happy feet ?

Steve

 

[Althulas]

My front discs have been fine for road use on the ebc pads can't remember if they were red or yellow but certainly did grab a lot better than oem inducing the abs to engage at 70 mph brake testing only concern if you track it the holes can potentially cause stress fractures.

 

[t-tony]

My front discs have been fine for road use on the ebc pads can't remember if they were red or yellow but certainly did grab a lot better than oem inducing the abs to engage at 70 mph brake testing only concern if you track it the holes can potentially cause stress fractures.

No track days for me Mark, well not in the foreseeable future anyway. I'd just like it to stop a bit quicker.

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

Mine have been fine for couple years at least but the ebc pads do make a very marked difference. I got told off by the wife when I drove mine last commenting on a heavy foot but in defence I had not driven my car for a long while I've only done less than 300 miles in the last year but a good cheap upgrade.

 

[miller1098]

I've red stuff pads...they stop you.not that keen on ebc disks ...I like..mintex .cant comment on any others

 

[Dino D]

The truly quick and skilled drivers don't use the brakes much anyway, they carry the speed through the corners and can dodge any obstacle with telepathic ability
Drum brakes are plenty for properly skilled drivers!

Back to us normal folk, I have EBC yellow pass on standard brembo discs. Never had anything else on it to compare but against other cars I've had there is less fade for sure.

My thing with the Red pads for road is the heat thing - people say you need to get some heat in so apply brakes first thing but how do you keep heat in them - i.e. On a long A roads or Motorway drive on a cold day will the pads still be at temp? Does the slight drag of the pad on the disc do that and is it enough?

 

[Grumps]

You referring to happy feet ?

Steve

I'm here you know!

 

[Lee]

Mtec are great discs and value for money they were the first upgrade I did to my 2.8 years ago. Only thing I can comment with the Mtec's is the loud noise under heavy braking, some find it cool some find it annoying (air being pushed out)

On my Z3M I suffered bad brake fade so I went all out for the black diamond discs and pads. Never had any issues and sometimes I had them glowing red with no issues

On my coupe the discs are huge from standard 320mm so this time round I opted for a track setup EBC discs with Yellow stuff pads, the stopping power is intense the car skips under really heavy braking (as I found out chasing taffzee)

Z3 2.8 MTEC These were £178 front and rear at the time.

Z3M Black Diamond Paid £380 for a set

Z4 Coupe EBC Ultimax Yellow Stuff Pads £480

Lee