Trackdays and S3 Brakes

[Matto]

I have the full S3 setup on my car and I fancy doing a trackday sometime next year. I am wondering if anyone has first hand experience of how these hold up on track?

I will possibly be looking at changing the discs to TTS ones in the future and maybe a pad upgrade at the same time. Just wanted to know peoples' thoughts.

 

[john_o]

mine have held up fine @ Oulton Park and @Blyton Park
I now have upgraded to TTS discs (nice weight saving) and DS2500 pads which should be even better.

Good quality brake fluid and check how much pad you have left.
Warm them up, gradually increase your effort, and remember to do cool down laps and leave the handbrake off once parked up.

depends also on the track you want to try out?

[Matto]

Have you had chance to try out the TTS discs yet John? Thanks for the advice. Will probably be Donington as it's only 15 mins from me.

[john_o]

due to normal wear , I swapped to new pads and TTS 340mm cross drilled discs (my R32 345mm ones were too)
I see no reason why you would fit 345mm discs now other than they are potentially cheaper.
for the TTS disc = Smaller disc = no lip, and they weigh less = win/win

on the road feel same as before to be honest, nice progressive pedal with good stopping power, not tried on track yet.
I have cross drilled as i like them, but performance wise theres little, if any difference from solid face (vented) discs
J Hook style slots some on here have too.

[Top Cat]

John_O how are these new brakes on the Quarter mile? have you tried them yet. I know last time on the quarter mile you couldnt get enough speed up to actual have to engage the brakes. 

[john_o]

at least I can reach the wheel without having to buy a smaller car 

[bigeyd]

I did Castle Combe and my S3/R32 brakes were superb

[danishmkvgti]

I did Donington on a hot summerday in conjunction with GTI Inters a couple of years back, 5 laps no more, then you will deffo have serious brake fade.
But it depends as stated above on the track and time of season. They are adequate on the Ring for example. 

[fuscobal]

Had S3 brakes all around and they were ok but I used Carbotech pads all around /Tarox discs upfront which are way better than DS2500 or other like it (these are a no go for hard track use). Other good options come from Pagid RS series, Carbone Lorraine, Endless...With this setup I was perfectly fine at Nurburgring and had some brake fade towards the end of the session at Hungaroring but nothing serious !

[dokez]

Nurburg 3 laps (DS2500 pads) and super blue blue. No brake fade. Lydden hill also which everyone knows its a short track with lots of braking and again no brake fade and stopped well.

[fuscobal]

It also depends on how hard you're on the brakes but Nurburgring isn't that hard on brakes. You basically have to keep high speeds through corners and you have plenty of cooling time on long straights. DS2500 is known to be a mediocre pad and I've destroyed 2 sets pretty fast while also having brake judder due to deposits. Never happened with Carbotech Or Pagid on the same car & brakes + much harder driving !

[Matto]

Thanks for your views so far. Tbh I have never done a trackday in a car but have on a bike. My local circuit is Donington so will be there and in the usual 15-20min session format. I have no idea if I will be a heavy breaker or not but I know of 2 big stops at Donington. Just for info current setup is OEM discs and pads.

[fuscobal]

Don't go with OEM pads, they have low temperature rating and will get toasted pretty fast even under moderate braking. Can you say what's the biggest speed difference between the top speed on the straight and corner entry speed on that track ? On Hungaroring for example I brake from about 200kmh to about 65kmh !

[Matto]

I'm not sure what the speeds will be yet. Like I say, I haven't been on track with it yet but I imagine the two big stops will be similar to those you have done, 120mph - 40mph ish. It depends how big my balls are on the day. Something I am yet to find out 

[bigeyd]

Donington is a cracking circuit just let down by access at times,I will have to take the Edition there