Racing brake pads - Opinions

[gsrbri]

Guys:

Last season I ran Pagid RS29 all-around on my F82. As per usual, good performance, excellent wear characteristics, although not great pad/rotor cleaning once cooled-down to prepare the rotor for the swap back to street pads (I always change-out my pads pre/post event from stock to racing pads and then back).

That said, I purchased Pagid RSL-1 pads and will be trying them out tomorrow. Has anyone used this pad or any general feedback regarding this combination?

Also, is anyone else surprised at the small number of racing pad and performance street pads available for the M3/M4? I figured there would be more options by now.

Thanks!!

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by gsrbri

Guys:

Last season I ran Pagid RS29 all-around on my F82. As per usual, good performance, excellent wear characteristics, although not great pad/rotor cleaning once cooled-down to prepare the rotor for the swap back to street pads (I always change-out my pads pre/post event from stock to racing pads and then back).

That said, I purchased Pagid RSL-1 pads and will be trying them out tomorrow. Has anyone used this pad or any general feedback regarding this combination?

Also, is anyone else surprised at the small number of racing pad and performance street pads available for the M3/M4? I figured there would be more options by now.

Thanks!!

The RSL1 is a nice pad in the right application. The initial bite is a bit firm, but modulation is easier and fade is much less and more progressive.

However, they are more aggressive on the rotors and have a very high friction coefficient making it very hard to keep off the ABS threshold on slicker dry pavements. Upgraded elastic mounts and joints in the front are something to consider in combination.

I don't like swapping pads only between track/street and the more aggressive RSL1's really should be used with a dedicated set of rotors.

[CanAutM3]

I kept the RS29 on the car for most of the summer. I only took them off when we went on a 3 week road trip for vacation. It seems I am getting lazy . But the RS29 were quite bearable for street use. They don't squeal much, only an occasional peep. They do slap in forward-reverse transition, but that does not bother me much.

[coolmody]

I'm keeping my RS29 in for the summer as well. The pad slap from the forward-back transition is bearable, but it scares passengers that have never been in the car before. The squeal and noise these things make also makes my passengers uncomfortable

[Cloud9blue]

Cobalt friction Xr2 should also be considered.l for front axle use. They don't squeal a whole lot on street and offers decent modulation.

Pfc 08 is also good. But they equal a ton on streets.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I kept the RS29 on the car for most of the summer. I only took them off when we went on a 3 week road trip for vacation. It seems I am getting lazy . But the RS29 were quite bearable for street use. They don't squeal much, only an occasional peep. They do slap in forward-reverse transition, but that does not bother me much.

What is the pad/rotor wear rate you're getting with the RS29 on the street? I use the M Performance Pads (modified RS29 compound) on my F10 and the wear rate is fairly even and predictable within 50 track miles. I chose to leave them in the last round (6mos ago; didn't end up using the car on track very much) and the front rotors/rear pads are toast after 4K miles. Less than 125 track miles. Stock pads and orig rotors only had 10k on them and were barely worn prior.

[baz171]

Originally Posted by miamiten

What is the pad/rotor wear rate you're getting with the RS29 on the street? I use the M Performance Pads (modified RS29 compound) on my F10 and the wear rate is fairly even and predictable within 50 track miles. I chose to leave them in the last round (6mos ago; didn't end up using the car on track very much) and the front rotors/rear pads are toast after 4K miles. Less than 125 track miles. Stock pads and orig rotors only had 10k on them and were barely worn prior.

I have ran the M Performance front pads on my F80. I was swapping them out with standard pads after trackdays but decided to leave them in on a few occasions.

The front rotors were toast after 10,000 miles (maybe 4000/5000 miles on M Performance) and the rear pads were down to 2mm or less (slight un-even wear).


I think it's safe to say that if using any decent uprated pad (i.e. the RS29) the standard rotors are not going to last long. I'd say its new front rotors and pads each season/year (8 trackdays) or 10,000miles (maybe less).
I guess it's likely due to the thickness of the rotors, at 30mm I think they are to think for the application.


I'm not sure weather I will keep on tracking the car now. It's far to easy to distort the standard front rotors and there really isn't anything I have seen that is a good upgrade to standard at a good price.

BBK upgrade isn't really an option as the car is financed and I'm sure aftermarket parts is a no go.

[Performance Eurowerks]

We found that both the Pagid RS29 and RSL1 are good performing pads. The initial bite of the RSL1 is certainly very well appreciated, just have to be careful to not overwork the tire or trigger ABS too often for maximal stopping performance.

In the future, if you're looking into other brands, we have been using the Race Technologies LLC race friction program for many years. There are quite a few different race compounds available to meet different needs and budgets. The Race Technologies RE10 has been our absolute favorite for an all around pad. The insanely long life time makes the pad a huge bang for your buck, all the while providing strong initial bite, linear modulation, and VERY easy on the rotor/fluid/calipers.

[Al Norton]

I just completed an evaluation of Ferodo DSUNO pads FWIW.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1260850

[scottn2retro]

I'll soon be evaluating the same options for OEM calipers for our M4 race car build. I'll let you guys know what we decide to go with.

[JMN]

Performance Friction / PFC08 seems to have gone dead, no response what so ever from them anymore.

[scottn2retro]

Does anybody know what the FMSI number for the pad patterns are for the M4?


-------------------------
Update:

Info from Cool Carbon:

Front 8822-D1609

Rear 8885-D1656

[scottn2retro]

Originally Posted by Performance Eurowerks

In the future, if you're looking into other brands, we have been using the Race Technologies LLC race friction program for many years. There are quite a few different race compounds available to meet different needs and budgets. The Race Technologies RE10 has been our absolute favorite for an all around pad. The insanely long life time makes the pad a huge bang for your buck, all the while providing strong initial bite, linear modulation, and VERY easy on the rotor/fluid/calipers.

Do they offer them for the M4?

[Mandi90TT]

So, I like using the same rotors (currently stock, looking into the StopTech upgraded rotors). I also use the Powerstop low dust pads on the street (and they are definitely not a track pad).

When I start going to the track later this year with my M (I have pretty good track experience in past cars, running in NASA HPDE Group 4, with my Time Trial license), I want to have a good track pad that I can switch back out at the end of the day for my street pads. What are some good recommendations?

[Performance Eurowerks]

Originally Posted by scottn2retro

Do they offer them for the M4?

Yup! They sure do, front and rear OE calipers

I can certainly PM over more info!

[scottn2retro]

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

So, I like using the same rotors (currently stock, looking into the StopTech upgraded rotors). I also use the Powerstop low dust pads on the street (and they are definitely not a track pad).

When we start racing our M4, we'll be in Sport class which requires OEM calipers, but we'll be using the RacingBrake.com rotors (forged hats). That black coating is new and does not have to be washed off before installing (will probably soon be copied by the rest of the industry)

[scottn2retro]

Originally Posted by Performance Eurowerks

Yup! They sure do, front and rear OE calipers

I can certainly PM over more info!

Definitely interested as mentioned above in Sport Class, we'll have to race with OEM calipers.

[JMN]

Ordered a set of the BMW's Racing pads, curious to see how they perform.

[scottn2retro]

Originally Posted by JMN

Ordered a set of the BMW's Racing pads, curious to see how they perform.

How much are those? Order thru a dealer as BMW Perf. Parts?

[JMN]

Originally Posted by scottn2retro

How much are those? Order thru a dealer as BMW Perf. Parts?

Friend works at the dealership, had to be specially ordered. MSRP is over $1K for the pads.

[scottn2retro]

CarboTech is showing them on their site:

F: CT1609A $357 for XP24 compound

R: CT1656 $293 for XP12 compound

[JMN]

BMW Racepads seem to be no go... BMW NA cancelled the order.