my 996 C4 tip brakes are rubbish

Ive recently jumped back into my 2003 996 C4 tip after a couple of months driving my wifes 5 year old bmw 330d. The main thing Ive noticed is that the brakes are absolutely crap when compared with the beemer. You have to really stamp you foot down to get any significant stopping power. The pads and discs have only done a few 1000 miles so its not that. After a week in the porsche I cant wait to get back in the beemer (sorry to admit this on a porsche enthusiasts forum) Does anyone have similar thoughts or is it just me? Can anyone suggest a reasonably cost effective upgrade to improve the braking? thanks

Mrs. Adeymars had a Clio and you come say the same except I never wanted to get back in it Horses for courses!

I've found the brakes on my Porsche (albeit a 997 (having the 996 turbo brakes)) the best I have ever used. It doesn't have the same 'boost' as other more normal cars so you have to press the pedal. The feel you get is progressive and the stopping power is immense as I just experienced on the Nurburgring, wow :worship:

Are the brakes worse than when you last drove the car? Perhaps you've glazed the pads and a hard, spirited drive is needed to deglaze?

when was the fluid last changed?

Use the wife's BM 118d if I have to go shopping, the brake pedal is more sensitive but I don't think they are anywhere near as good as the 996 just more servo involvement.

The brakes on the 911 (and Boxster) are notoriously different from BMW and other car makes (servo-assisted). When I first had my Porsche (moving from BMW), I took it into my OPC as I was convinced something was wrong with the brakes. It's mainly noticeable when driving slowly (ie. parking or in slow moving traffic), they just don't seem to react quick enough. You have to stamp on the brakes harder, but the stopping power is immense and one of the main reasons (in my opinion) is why the 911 is a very quick car (rather than simple pure acceleration speed). After ruling out the suggestions made above, I personally think you're just adjusting to the different set up of the braking systems.

I drive 4 cars - porsche, peugeot 406, Rav 4 and 307CC and the porkers brakes do feel like they are not as good .... until you really want the car to stop. All my other cars have overly assisted breaking and i find myself nearly going through the windscreen at low speeds when I break...cos there is less feel. Give me progressive and driver controlled breaking of a porker anyday.

I'm not an expert on 996 brakes but it does sound like you're used to the modern, over-servo'd brakes on standard cars. I used to drive my pal's Elise quite a bit (which didn't have a servo at all, I don't think!) and there was definitely a mental adjustment to make - initially it didn't feel like there was much there, but when you actually needed the braking they were pretty damned good, with plenty of feel.

996 Crap Brakes? Hi there! Since acquiring my 996 C4S Tip., I kept thinking there's the lack of feel or low speed bite but due to the pads/drilled discs combination, I noticed that you just need to press a bit firmer. Braking from a greater speed presents no problem at all. I like the progression and bite it gives with fast driving. If you are not happy with it, get your garage to check it.

When I first picked up my C4S I drove straight onto the A1, picked up speed and some moron pulled out right in front of me as the rear spoiler flipped into action. When I first applied the brakes I though Oh my g*d, I'm going to shunt this tw*t into the next county. In the end I just applied more pressure to the pedal, and sure enough the car slowed down in time and my blood pressure dropped down to normal. So to summarise, I agree with the previous comments, the brakes are different to most other cars. If you are in any doubt I suggest taking your car to an MOT testing station and ask them to check your brakes out cheers Ray :thumb:

I too experienced the same thing switching over from my Golf GTi to the C2. The Golf is hugely over-servo'd (I've had comments from a 330d driver to that effect!) but having got used to that I nearly cr4pped myself when I needed to stop quickly in the 996. Now I'm used to it I love the progressive feel and there's plenty of stopping power there to be had. Sounds like your brakes are fine to me.