BBK Christmas Present -- Opinions Desired

[swartzentruber]

I'd appreciate opinions -- positive/negative on these two options. One of these kits will end up under my Christmas tree.
http://shop.achtuning.com/search.asp...se&category=67

I had pretty much decided on the Stoptech kit, but having second thoughts after hearing great things about Alcon, used in the StaSis kit. Not a ton of price difference either way. Yes, this is for my R32 track car, although I believe similar products are available for the M3, and they shouldn't be that different. Based on searches, most reviews in this forum are quite positive on the stoptech ST-40 kit (or st-60), haven't seen much on Alcon products here. Ironically, both my current (R32) and planned future (M3) track cars suffer from lacking brake ducting, which is a primary reason for getting a BBK.

I'm not sure if anyone will ask this, but I've tried a variety of other options first (pads/fluids/rotors/changing braking styles), but continue to overcook my brakes, and it seems a BBK is my best option, and these seem my best bets. So, whatever feedback you care to leave that can help sway my thinking one way or another, I'd appreciate it.

[THE TECH]

Alcon is my choice hands down.

[M3PO]

Stasis is having some serious issues right now. I'd think twice about their kit if you care anything about customer service in the future.

As far as which set is better, I think most people would agree that the Alcons are better.

[sawzall]

Can't really comment on the R32 setup, but I love the Alcon BBK on my M3. I've got the SuperKit, and it's done everything i've asked. Even during longer sessions (25-30 minutes), i've had no brake fade issues, and the feel is very much like OEM. The build quality of the kit is very good. If I have any complaint about the Alcons for the M3, its just that it's still a relatively new kit, so pad options are a bit hard to come by (that being said, between the Pagid 9-2 street pads and the Pagid 29 track pads, i've got all the options i need).

[Jaypod]

Of those two I would get the Alcon

[swartzentruber]

Originally Posted by M3PO

Stasis is having some serious issues right now. I'd think twice about their kit if you care anything about customer service in the future.

Arr, that's a bit of what I was hoping to not hear. I got a bit of that sense on the R32 forum, but they were mostly old posts, and I was hoping it was either isolated disgruntled customers or things had improved. As far as I can tell, StaSis is the only seller of an Alcon kit for the R32, and you can't buy directly from Alcon, so I'm not sure I have a choice going with Alcon. I checked their kit, and compared it to the Alcon Superkit on the Alcon USA website, and it seemed almost identical, so I'm not really sure what, if anything, StaSis is adding to the kit, and where I might need support from them. Nonetheless, it's good feedback. If it means anything, as near as I can tell, Audi is still fully "in bed" with them.

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by swartzentruber

If it means anything, as near as I can tell, Audi is still fully "in bed" with them.

That's actually where some of there issues are. Some Audi owners are having chronic issues with Stasis designed parts (like their exhausts and wheels) on the cars sold with the Stasis packages. Stasis tells the owners to take it up with Audi and Audi tells them the opposite. I've read some really bad (and current) horror stories related to this.

They are also very preoccupied with a rather serious lawsuit at the moment.

I did a lot of research on RS4s because I was planning to get one and the RS4 guys hate them. Their coilovers use Ohlins dampers which seem to only last 20k miles or less before needing rebuilt. The RS4 owners must deal with Stasis and not Ohlins to get them rebuilt. Lots of horror stories here.

So, if you're banking on dealing with Alcon and not Stasis, I'd make sure to do your due diligence because, as I pointed out above, there are numerous examples of such a thing going awry.

[Gearhead999s]

Before you commit to the the Alcons,I would really check out the pad availability from the different manufactures for availability.I heard they use a proprietory pad which you can only get from Alcon.At least with Stoptechs or AP's this is not an issue.

[klammer]

I have and love the Alcons as well. Alcon I believe does have a rep in Illinois somewhere, you could check that. Pad selection is a bit limited at the moment, have the rs-29's ready for track season, and have tested some carbotech's, but I believe that's it for now. They work great and look the part too, good luck

[sawzall]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

Before you commit to the the Alcons,I would really check out the pad availability from the different manufactures for availability.I heard they use a proprietory pad which you can only get from Alcon.At least with Stoptechs or AP's this is not an issue.

^ This is generally true for the Alcon SuperKits, although some dealers may be able to get you some custom cut pads (but that can be an expensive proposition).

The R32 kit looks like it uses Alcon's 'stock' mono4 calipers, for which they have many pads available (the shapes are published at alconusa.com), and you can order them from pretty much anywhere.

[paradocs98]

I'm sure the Alcon kits are great--as noted above, they have some users here, and I know they're used in some Euro racing series.

I went with a StopTech ST60/ST40 setup and have been very happy thus far. None of the odd surface rusting issues on bolts like a couple of people have had on their Trophy kits (see recent thread in Brake/Suspension topic section). Fit and finish seem top-notch. Their performance has been fantastic. They have plenty of options for pad choices, from the very good StopTech Street Performance pads at around $200 for the whole car, to more exotic pads and everything in between. Their bridge design allows super-easy and quick pad changes. And they're the kit used by Turner Motorsports on their racing M3s, and also many other competitors in American road-racing series.

[swartzentruber]

Thanks for all the advice on the two kits. I finally decided on the Stoptech for under my tree (or at least a picture of it, the kit is backordered right now, possibly a testament to their popularity). Ultimately, I think lower cost of ownership (the salesperson said I could expect the Alcon kit to have ~2x lifetime costs of the Stoptech), better parts availability, lingering concerns about StaSis, and higher favor from R32 owners for the Stoptech kit won me over. Plus, it is nice to support a vendor that supports BMW racing, and nice to have an American company to deal with if there are issues rather than American distributors.

As an aside, while researching Alcon a bit more, I found some of their racing brake parts in one shop -- how about $3500 -- for one caliper. Really puts in perspective what we are paying for these BBKs, and the difference between these and true race parts.

[bigjae1976]

When you are in a pinch at the track...you'll especially appreciate the "availability of parts" feature of the STs.