Thoughts on brake pads - BMW 130i
Discussion
Looking to track the 130i after lockdown. Never done it before and don't know how many times I'm likely to do it again afterwards.
For first day I'm thinking to spend on following:
The track day
Helmet hire
Insurance
Car is well maintained and will have rbf600 fluid in brake lines.
So is it worth shelling out on something like yellow stuff pads for around 170 ish or will some OEM brembo or similar pads be up to the task for about 100 less?
I've read stories where people burn through oem pads during the day itself and other stories where oem was fine.
Be interesting to here people's thoughts on this.
The track is likely to be mallory park, Bedford or donington.
For first day I'm thinking to spend on following:
The track day
Helmet hire
Insurance
Car is well maintained and will have rbf600 fluid in brake lines.
So is it worth shelling out on something like yellow stuff pads for around 170 ish or will some OEM brembo or similar pads be up to the task for about 100 less?
I've read stories where people burn through oem pads during the day itself and other stories where oem was fine.
Be interesting to here people's thoughts on this.
The track is likely to be mallory park, Bedford or donington.
Yellow stuff are not worth 1/100th of the additional cost over OE, they start to crumble apart after even just a few laps & I personally never managed to get a full day out of them.
If it is a one off try out I would say fit fresh new proper OE pads for the start of the day, do short runs of 2 or 3 laps, let your brakes cool down properly for a full lap of cruising with zero braking before coming in, check them at the end of every session and above all take tools & a full fresh set of front pads in case they are looking sad by the time to go home.
Any more than a one off taster get proper pads not Noddy EBC plasticine pads.
If it is a one off try out I would say fit fresh new proper OE pads for the start of the day, do short runs of 2 or 3 laps, let your brakes cool down properly for a full lap of cruising with zero braking before coming in, check them at the end of every session and above all take tools & a full fresh set of front pads in case they are looking sad by the time to go home.
Any more than a one off taster get proper pads not Noddy EBC plasticine pads.
Not a lot of love for EBC Yellowstuff... thought they might be okay for £170 all around over OEMs rather than spending £300+
I've had a quote on some PFC Z Rated pads for not much more than the EBCs. May go for these as some research shows these are held in higher regard?
Most advice seems to suggest OEM pads (and EBC) will disintegrate after the first few laps...
I've had a quote on some PFC Z Rated pads for not much more than the EBCs. May go for these as some research shows these are held in higher regard?
Most advice seems to suggest OEM pads (and EBC) will disintegrate after the first few laps...
I loved the Yellow Stuff on my 130i for road use!
They were OEM like when cold.
When the oem pads would be too hot and failing, the Yellows were just getting into their stride and offered retardation the oem never could. Feel and precision was fine too.
(I know people with other cars, where they were awful from the outset, even on road)
The thing is though, I only tracked them on the ‘Ring, which isn’t hard on brakes like a short UK track for brakes.
They were OEM like when cold.
When the oem pads would be too hot and failing, the Yellows were just getting into their stride and offered retardation the oem never could. Feel and precision was fine too.
(I know people with other cars, where they were awful from the outset, even on road)
The thing is though, I only tracked them on the ‘Ring, which isn’t hard on brakes like a short UK track for brakes.
narbles said:
main place being Demon Tweeks.
There are 1,000,001 race car suppliers out in t'interweb-land that have more choice than Demon Tweeks.Just identify your pads, go to the manufacturers web site & find suppliers, they will pretty much all have a "dealer finder" or similar on the web page, although how many are open for business right now may be another issue.
Circuit Supplies & Balance Motorsport being my usual go-to outlets.
When I did my first track day OP I had a set of Pagid RS 29 pads fitted in the front (Oem in the rears) and I honestly find that the brake feel with these pads when they are warmed up is amazing.
From what I’ve read they’re expensive and mine squeak a fair bit with gentle road use but they can stand up to a proper bashing and be absolutely fine!
I run them in a 330ci to so similar car OP!
From what I’ve read they’re expensive and mine squeak a fair bit with gentle road use but they can stand up to a proper bashing and be absolutely fine!
I run them in a 330ci to so similar car OP!
If its your first track day and your car has decent front pads with more than 50% pad material left on the pads just use what you have and see if you enjoy it before spending money.
If you do change them mintex, brembo, anyhting OE spec should be ok, uprated fluid to dot5-1 or better is a good idea.
I used these guys for pads for track and race over the past few years always do a really good price and wide stock, cheaper than D/T.
https://www.jjcraceandrally.com/
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EBC-Yellowstuff-Uprated...
Red 5 said:
I loved the Yellow Stuff on my 130i for road use!
They were OEM like when cold.
When the oem pads would be too hot and failing, the Yellows were just getting into their stride and offered retardation the oem never could. Feel and precision was fine too.
(I know people with other cars, where they were awful from the outset, even on road)
The thing is though, I only tracked them on the ‘Ring, which isn’t hard on brakes like a short UK track for brakes.
Yellowstuff really seem to draw polarising feedback.They were OEM like when cold.
When the oem pads would be too hot and failing, the Yellows were just getting into their stride and offered retardation the oem never could. Feel and precision was fine too.
(I know people with other cars, where they were awful from the outset, even on road)
The thing is though, I only tracked them on the ‘Ring, which isn’t hard on brakes like a short UK track for brakes.
I've read lots of horror stories about them on here and owners' club forums.
I've also read threads, like the one on here where the bloke (very) successfully sprints an RX8 wearing them, that disagrees with that.
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