Advice on first non-OEM pads

[Candide13]

Hi,

After a couple of track days with a bone stock M3, I would now like to consider putting non-OEM brake pads on. As a novice, I am happy with the actual performance of the OEM pads, but like everyone else I got a huge amount of pad deposit on the rotors and spend a year or so rubbing that off by normal driving.

So, what is the best advice? Should I get a dual street/track pad, or should I swap a dedicated track pad in/out each time? Either way, which make is recommended, also for ease of swapping?

I know that the topic is discussed a lot for experienced drivers, but my perspective is especially for a novice driver who just wants the simplest solution to avoid the deposit rumble...

Thanks!

[FormulaMMM]

You've got to go race pads to avoid the deposits. Only front is necessary. Can do a hybrid like Stoptech street performance on the back (and you can leave those in for street too).

I tried multiple hybrids across two M platforms and they all leave deposits... No shortcut on this.

[STALKER]

Get some proper brake fluid, I use castrol SRF, and Pagid RS19 or RS29 pads and you are set.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by Candide13

Hi,

After a couple of track days with a bone stock M3, I would now like to consider putting non-OEM brake pads on. As a novice, I am happy with the actual performance of the OEM pads, but like everyone else I got a huge amount of pad deposit on the rotors and spend a year or so rubbing that off by normal driving.

So, what is the best advice? Should I get a dual street/track pad, or should I swap a dedicated track pad in/out each time? Either way, which make is recommended, also for ease of swapping?

I know that the topic is discussed a lot for experienced drivers, but my perspective is especially for a novice driver who just wants the simplest solution to avoid the deposit rumble...

Thanks!

Just went through the same situation, except I'm an advanced driver. I got through last season by hosing off the rotors before each session to get rid of the deposits, and have a cooler rotor. Essentially, race pads will not have much dust but instead eat your rotors, as they stop by digging into the rotor. Rotors on this car even oem, are ridiculously expensive. So, like me, it sounds like you don't want to swap out pads between the track, and the street, but unlike me, you don't want the pad deposits. Your best solution is to go with an entry level race pad that's still "streetable", like Hawk HP+. I hose off my deposits between sessions, so this season, I'm testing out hybrid compounds: Pagid S, and Hawk street-race pads. Hawk HP+ are really the only streetable race pads. You won't over heat them as a novice, but they will eat your rotors, just not as bad as the other higher level race pads.

[SYT_Shadow]

A nice pad which accepts street use and will definitely not limit your performance is the PFC 08 pad.

Very durable, can be used on the street and will not melt or fade away at the track.

I run these all summer in the M3 I use for the track.

[ayao]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

A nice pad which accepts street use and will definitely not limit your performance is the PFC 08 pad.

Very durable, can be used on the street and will not melt or fade away at the track.

I run these all summer in the M3 I use for the track.

I love PFC 08s but mine howl like mofos on the street. Just something to consider ...

[dbyrd]

I have a barely used set of PFC-08s for sale!

[FormulaMMM]

^^^
Buy these and never look back.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

^^^
Buy these and never look back.

Do you have some info about BMW's ///M Performance brake pads are they better than just Oem. ?

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Do you have some info about BMW's ///M Performance brake pads are they better than just Oem. ?

For our platform? Never heard of them. Euro only?

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

For our platform? Never heard of them. Euro only?

With the new F80/82 it seems that they are hard to find on Google,last year they were all over the place .
But here they are and for our platform on this page , "first item" => http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/acc...92M&pgDsId=271

[Killerfish2012]

PFC08s:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=785706

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

With the new F80/82 it seems that they are hard to find on Google,last year they were all over the place .
But here they are and for our platform on this page , "first item" => http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/acc...92M&pgDsId=271

Interesting, haven't come across those. I'd try them for rear pads. Fronts too if they're proven. Like, that's what BMW DTM is using. M Performance parts are typically a little more show than go.

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

PFC08s:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=785706

Performance Friction has a great rep. Surprised by that chunking issue. I'd still run them. PFC feedback from other users http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=984253. And I see them on Porsche's regularly http://rennlist.com/forums/997-gt2-g...-pfc-08-a.html

Hawk HP+ are my least favorite pads I've run at the track fwiw. Inconsistent, ridiculous deposits, I didn't like 'em... and race pad noisy on the street. I'd go back to Stoptech SP's before Hawks again. But there is no substitute for a true race pad like RS29.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Hawk HP+ are my least favorite pads I've run at the track fwiw. Inconsistent, ridiculous deposits, I didn't like 'em... and race pad noisy on the street. I'd go back to Stoptech SP's before Hawks again. But there is no substitute for a true race pad like RS29.

Interesting info on the Hawks, but OP wants to drive the pads on the street. How is the noise, rotor wear, and cold weather performance on those RS29s?

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Interesting info on the Hawks, but OP wants to drive the pads on the street. How is the noise, rotor wear, and cold weather performance on those RS29s?

Yeah, I'm suggesting he swap for track.

I used RS29s year around last year actually. Never took them out. Rotor wear and cold weather performance (way below zero) totally fine. Really found them as usable as a street pad in all circumstances, except for the noise... I put the city buses to shame. This year I'm swapping RS29 and Stoptech sp's.

I've found with the RS29's that it takes some time for them to get really loud, and they quiet down after the event. It's the day to day driving that really makes them scream. They're fine to put in a few days before an event and take out a few days after. Or if you like to make a statement pulling up to the stoplights, just leave em in.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Yeah, I'm suggesting he swap for track.

I used RS29s year around last year actually. Never took them out. Rotor wear and cold weather performance (way below zero) totally fine. Really found them as usable as a street pad in all circumstances, except for the noise... I put the city buses to shame. This year I'm swapping RS29 and Stoptech sp's.

I've found with the RS29's that it takes some time for them to get really loud, and they quiet down after the event. It's the day to day driving that really makes them scream. They're fine to put in a few days before an event and take out a few days after. Or if you like to make a statement pulling up to the stoplights, just leave em in.

Man, and I thought my Pagid S pads screamed all the time. I can barely stand them on the streets, and they are supposed to be a mixed compound. Yet, cold they squeal, and from stop light to stop light they holla. They only quiet down after they've gotten some good amounts of heat in them.

[InterJon]

Originally Posted by ayao

I love PFC 08s but mine howl like mofos on the street. Just something to consider ...

Agree with this post. PFC 08s are perfect for your intended purpose.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

PFC08s:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=785706

Although this is not good, PFC continues to be the preferred pad for BMW and P cars at track days. Just walk around the paddock...

The break in is extremely simple, they last a long time and have excellent bite. What is not to like?

[ayao]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Do you have some info about BMW's ///M Performance brake pads are they better than just Oem. ?

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...queal+compound

(Last page of the thread there's some discussion about the BMW pads possibly being rebranded Pagids.)

[dbyrd]

I never had problems with the PFC-08s, and they are much easier on rotors than the PFC-01s.

That said, I also have a set of Ferodo DS2500 for sale. The Ferodo are supposed to be a dual purpose pad, but they may have minor squeal when not bedded in properly. I only used these on the street for a few thousand miles as I found a good deal on a more track-oriented pad when I started tracking. I'll make you a good deal on these.

I just posted this on another thread that I thought was yours - guess I should read the thread completely before posting.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by ayao

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...queal+compound

(Last page of the thread there's some discussion about the BMW pads possibly being rebranded Pagids.)

Appreciate the link !
Lots of info about the ///M Performance brake pads .
And I need to say... no thank you, because they squeal a lot .

[z3papa]

Swap in a pair of pads up front and have be dedicated for track. Better yet, get a dedicated set of track rotors too so you don't have to worry about getting mixed deposits. Changing pads and rotors becomes second nature like changing wheels.