Fellow track junkies...pad recommendations?

I'm in my 5th week with my C4S and I probably won't get to the track with it for another 6 weeks. I do, however, do a lot of track time (42 days in '03). With my M3s, I was used to the basic track pad, fluid, SS Line upgrade (except for putting Brembos on my e46 m3). What is the situation with the C4S? The previous owner (a friend of mine from the track), tracked the car somewhat frequently and he said that the stock pads were, for the most part, adequate for track work. He experienced little to no fade on track. Now, its possible that he didn't drive it as hard as some do (so as not to destroy such a thing of beauty). I do know that he was very attentive to the brake fluid with Castrol SRF (or whatever the more expensive stuff is). I will be doing 35 or so track days this year, mostly in BMWs since I'll be clubracing with BMWCCA this year. I do, however, intend to do 10 or so track days with the C4S this year. Should I be looking for pads like Pagid Orange or something like that?...or are the stock pads indeed adequate? Does the C4S eat rotors with frequent track use? Also, any preferred vendors for things such as pads? Thanks in advance.

I have a 996TT, so I'm not sure if the pads/rotors are the same, but I experience some very noticeable brake overheating about 7-10 good & hot laps into a driving session. This could of course be due to the fact that I am going a bit faster since I have a turbo, so it takes more effort to shave off speed. I have other friends who run pagids, but the consensus is that while they help stop better, they rip your rotors to shreds (and they squeal like crazy on the street).

Maybe I'm easy on my brakes but I have been tracking my car for the last 4+ years with the stock pads, I changed them last fall and they still looked good, that was with at least a dozen events. I run in the yellow/ intermediate run group.

Well I would probably try the stock pads first before trying other pads granted you do race quite abit in BMWCCA. I use Pagid Blues with ATE Superblue and SS lines. Pagid Oranges squeal too much on the street(and maybe not good for the normal street driving unless you switch back/forth to stock pads). Pagid Blues still squeal too but not as loud. Regards. Mike

I have stock pads and the gold cousin of ATE Blue. I couldn't tell you whether I brake harder or not than you on the track, but I can say I usually try to brake just to a point before the ABS kicks in. I still miscalculate occasionally and ABS still kicks in, particularly at the end of back straights. With the occasional track weekend and almost daily driving, I had to have both the pads and rotors changed at 18,000 miles due to wear. With that as a reference, I would say that the stock pads on the C4S red brakes were up to the task. No evidence of fading whatsoever, and they supplied all the stopping power I needed. Even with R-compounds, I could consistently threshold brake with no loss or fade. Unless you plan to put larger tires and supercharge the car then go racing, I would say try the stock pads first and see how they do. Althoug they seem well enough for me, I'f be curious to know what someone who club races BMW's thinks of the C4S brakes.

we'll find out soon... I consider myself a late braker, but I've been experimenting with other techniques. I'll try both on the c4s in due course. i'll also use the street pirellis for a few events before going for PSC's... is that what you used on track (meaning the michelin psc's)?

For street tires, I found the P-Zero Assims excellent on the dry track. For R-compounds, I had Dunlop Super Sport Race tires. I was all set to buy MPSC's, when I was lucky enough to be chosen as part of a marketing ploy where free tires were given to those who drive their cars to and from as well as on the track. All I had to do was give them feedback . Tires were introduced at the Detroit show, and should be available to the general public soon.

ATE Super Blue and stock pads are good enough for me right now. Though I wouldn't mind trying out some Pagid oranges to see if there is a big difference. But I bet the sqealing would drive me crazy...

Stock pads will "work" at the track, but will wear pretty quickly. It sounds like you're looking for a combo Street/Track pad. On my wife's 996, which she tracks frequently (and I get to drive once in awhile), I use the Performance Friction PFC-97 street/track combo pad. I've used several sets each on the 996 and the 355, and they've been great. Never ever faded the brakes on the track, and the PFC-97 lasts a looooong time. Doesn't destroy rotors either. Dust isn't too bad. Some squealing, but I could probably cure that with the application of some anti-squeal. Decent pricing too. As for fluid, ATE makes two fluids, super blue and 2000, which is gold colored. I think that super blue may have been withdrawn from the market, as it does not meet DOT regulations for COLOR. Super blue is just 2000 that's been dyed blue. I bought a case of each, and I swap between the two colors when I flush fluid - this makes it easier to see when I've hit the "new" fluid. Both work well. You can still get Super blue, though, from dealers who haven't sold out their NOS. Lastly, using steel brake lines on a street car is, candidly, a waste, IMHO. It might afford a slightly tighter pedal feel, but requires frequent inspection and may potentially require replacement much sooner than stock lines. Why spend the money and effort for something that has such a small return on investment? Upgrade your brake fluid, then pad, then tire, then ducting if possible. My $.02. Oh, FWIW, I bought my last sets of PFC pads from Edwin Robinson at http://www.RaceShopper.com [phone removed]; best prices (I checked around). If you do order from them, tell them who referred you :-) and the referring person gets a $10 credit on their next order. :-) vty, --Dennis Liu