Looking for some advice on brakes please...

[tony_danza]

^^ agreed, don't go buying bigger brakes and then put crap pads & fluid in them - you'll have no more advantage than someone on 312s with something really aggresive pad wise for half the price.

[RedRobin]

....

True perhaps that some people might go for a BBK for show but if they buy a well designed and tested kit by an established manufacturer and don't change what the manufacturer recommends, they're going to get vastly improved braking whether they want it or not. And, very importantly imo, they'll get aftersales support.

Unless someone really knows what they are doing, like DaveB and tony_d, I think it's dodgy to mix and match. That's why the oem R32/S3 option is very worthwhile considering. DIY has its downside.

[tony_danza]

Dodgy to mix and match what? discs and calipers??

I agree, there's some very complex calcs need doing on master cylinder size, piston size and many other things. I don't possess that skill.

A BBK is largely pointless unless you're using your car on track. There's plenty of OEM+ upgrades that will more than suffice for a fast road car. Pads & fluid being the main.

There's also plenty tracking just 312 set ups and having plenty of fun, staying within the limits of what you have isn't a show stopper. SteveyD has no less of a good time on track as me on his 312s, it isn't racing, it doesn't matter. You don't NEED big brakes, they're just very nice to have.

[john_o]

I know that Msportman also used to run agressive pads on the stock 312mm setup on the track and was very happy with them 
albeit with reduced life of the discs (which are rel cheap)

[RedRobin]

A BBK is largely pointless unless you're using your car on track.

You don't NEED big brakes, they're just very nice to have.

....I have had moments on the road (last Saturday being the most recent) when I've been more than happy to have my BBK - Someone objected to me holding them up in a 40 mph roadworks with active Specs and then when I was able to change lane and let him pass he braked to a standstill in an effort to make me run into the back of him! I'd rather have big brakes and not need them, than need them and not have them.

But I don't disagree with you about how they greatly add to the enjoyment of track days etc. 

[J5BWS]

Good thread and some great input thanks lads!

The options I'm considering at the moment are:

Boxster Custom Setup
996 Setup
R32 Front & rear although the weight puts me off...

Or of course I could stick with the standard setup with uprated pads and even discs as you say...

[Oli]

What can uprated pads for the R32/S3 setup be purchased?  Mine should(ha ha) be going on this week, but my workshop is just so busy at the moment to fit it in! 

I have changed up because at 300+BHP the standard brakes are just poop! - Just so wooden when braking hard, and I remember my S3 and R32 stopped so much better.  I might do one, maybe two track days, and at that point will evaluate whether to upgrade the pads, and fluid.

[Beddie]

What can uprated pads for the R32/S3 setup be purchased?

Ferodo DS2500 come in an R32 fitment, as do Pagid RS 4-2 (Blue) and RS-19 (yellow), Carbotech can also do them in any of their compounds (AX6, XP8 etc) but would ideally require a spare set of discs unless you plan on running them for both road and track, Hawk also cover the R32 with their HPS, HP+ ceramic range 

[Greeners]

What can uprated pads for the R32/S3 setup be purchased?  Mine should(ha ha) be going on this week, but my workshop is just so busy at the moment to fit it in! 

I have changed up because at 300+BHP the standard brakes are just poop! - Just so wooden when braking hard, and I remember my S3 and R32 stopped so much better.  I might do one, maybe two track days, and at that point will evaluate whether to upgrade the pads, and fluid.

VWR also do a pad upgrade for the R32/S3. Not cheap though but the ones I had for the GTI caliper were the nuts! 

[Oli]

Sorry typo - I meant 'where' can I buy them and which are best for mainly fast road driving, os shall I stick with the standard S3 brakes, as they were fine on my 330BHP S3!

[Janner_Sy]

i reckon if your upgrading to S3 discs now, you may as well get some good pads at the same time.

[Beddie]

Sorry typo - I meant 'where' can I buy them and which are best for mainly fast road driving, os shall I stick with the standard S3 brakes, as they were fine on my 330BHP S3!

Camskill, motorsportworld and most of the Ferodo online dealers can get hold of the DS2500's, APS and Vagtech can get the Pagid Blues and Carbotech Europe will supply the AX6/XP8 etc, as nathan has said VWR can supply a fast road set (project MU related iirc)

[tony_danza]

I've been using Carbotech XP8s on the road for the past 6 months and they're absolutely fine as a daily pad. Only buy them though if you have a brand new disc, or it has been re-ground.

They work perfectly on track as you can see from my pic on the previous page, however when I run track tyres or if it is a really warm day, I can fade them with the increased heat. I doubt an S3 caliper/disc combo has the capability for the kind of braking power my Alcons have, so I can't see you ever getting close to fading them.

Pagid blues and VWR pads I'd equally choose, and more flexible in terms of being able to put them on used discs. DS2500s I'd avoid if you're tracking, although an excellent fast road pad. They have a habit of melting, leaving deposits all over the discs and causing vibration if you take them past the point of their heat capability. Other pads just glaze and simply need a cool down and re-bedding.

For my hot days on stickies I use Carbonne Lorraine RC6s. I do not recommend these  for a road car, they'll smash your face in and ruin OEM discs in a week.

[RedRobin]

DS2500s I'd avoid if you're tracking, although an excellent fast road pad. They have a habit of melting, leaving deposits all over the discs and causing vibration if you take them past the point of their heat capability. Other pads just glaze and simply need a cool down and re-bedding.

....Interestingly, AP Racing now supply their own pads instead of DS2500's in their brake kits. For my style of driving I've been very happy with my DS2500's but will try the AP pads next time.

[xxx_mojo_xxx]

Oh dear...I got the DS2500 pads under the recommendation they were good for track day use.  Are they pretty bad, what alternative would you suggest tony?