Do I really need ceramics?

[boff]

Definitely not worth it unless you are a track hero or a racing driver.

Steels feel better, are cheaper to run, work well in the cold - aka UK Winters, which d2d makes them safer. It is a fact that the ceramics are no better than steels for stopping the car; Infact worse until warm:

http://therealcarsreviews.blogspot.co.u ... ional.html

I know loads of people who have had problems with the ceramics, also many 911 drivers who take the ceramics off in favour of steels, I know a 911 turbo s running 600bhp that is much better off with steel and performance friction pads with high temp oil, that car goes on the ring a lot.

You can find articles all over the net on the topic, I think it was evo that did the video???

[chunky79]

FTMFW

You're kidding right? Pirelli's are sh1te!

[doodlebug]

I don't think steels are cheaper to run!

I've had C6 with steel and now C7 with ramic. Non-contest whatever the weather.

Equally plenty of 911 folk who chose ceramic.

Down to personal preference here I guess.

[RIV]

I've had both!! Ceramics are loads better IMO

[classba]

I've had both!! Ceramics are loads better IMO

+1

[classba]

FTMFW

You're kidding right? Pirelli's are sh1te!

Nothing wrong with Pirellis's Chucky lol I run P-zeros, Nero's and Trofeo-R

[RossDagley]

I not saying that but to say both steels and ceramics brake equally is just total BS. You get two identical cars with steels and ceramics to see who achieves a shorter braking distance.

They will both be the same.

On a single stop, the stopping distance is limited by tyre grip not braking performance at this level. Perhaps if you repeated the test 10+ times back to back I'd agree.

I've said it before - a chap I met at the ring last year (Ivan) killed two sets of ceramics at the ring on his C7 - the last set only did 3 laps before he had to quit. He didn't explain what he meant by "killed" but the calipers were yellowed badly when I saw them.

I track my cars (hard) and haven't wanted for 'better' brakes. If someone is driving harder on a public road than I tracked my C6 then they have bigger problems than if the brakes are up to the job!

Ceramics or 62k miles of fuel... I'll take the fuel please!

[doodlebug]

And how many discs and pads in the 62k. Cost over time, ceramics probably cheaper.

[RossDagley]

And how many discs and pads in the 62k. Cost over time, ceramics probably cheaper.

If you're keeping the car for 60k+ miles I guess that's a consideration. I'd wager most people don't - so all you're doing is helping reduce someone elses maintenance costs. :p

[bam_bam]

bam_bam takes over evo magazine, first feature article when in charge.

Simple tests, although there might limitations and inconclusions ‎on lighter cars due to steelies being so refined.

9 cars. All current models and spec identical within each test segment, most importantly, tyres and tyre condition are the same. The only difference - brakes.
‎
- Sports car around the 1200Kg - 1400Kg mark.
- GT car around the 1500Kg - 1600Kg mark.
- Family/Excutive car around the 1800Kg - 2200Kg mark.

3 tests each with two outputs.

Test 1.

Fast road test.‎

Evo triangle run untimed and completed within speed limits, after the final corner on the test run route an emergency  brake test is administered ‎on the next straight section of road. The parameters should be that NSL is achieved in the shortest possible time after the last corner and the test route should subject the car to consistant braking and the car should be driven at 8/10.

Output:
‎
Braking distances measured.‎
Braking feel objectively reported.

Test 2.

15mins track session.
‎
Pretty simplez. Cars driven at 10/10 on track‎ and lap times recorded. Parameters; same drivers in each model. Sighting and warm up laps are completed in control cars not part of the group.

Output:

Lap times recorded.
Subjective braking feel reported.‎

Test 3.

‎Big stops.

Again pretty simplez. Cars taken to Bruntingthorpe where VMAX is attempted then brake test is administered.‎ All runs back-to-back, 6 stops being the magic number.
‎
Output:

Stop distances are recorded.
Subjective brake feel reported.

Supporting side articles about how discs are made, why racing teams do or don't use 'ramics and ‎an overall conclusion wrap up.

bam_bam collects journalism award 2015, thanks Chunky's mum during acceptance speech.

[RossDagley]

bam_bam collects journalism award 2015, thanks Chunky's mum during acceptance speech.

[chunky79]

The current Mrs Chunky is annoyed she doesn't get a mention. Shame on you!

[bam_bam]

She's the one that gets me up in the morning, she knows that.

[Noyjatat]

Wet and dry as well Bam Bam. This could apply to a couple of things you have mentioned

[Graeme4130]

Another consideration for the Ceramics, is that they reduce unsprung weight by quite some margin.
I went from a non ceramic B8 to Ceramics on my current car, and the way the wheels track the surface and give more grip on not perfect road surfaces (i.e. most roads in the uk) is noticeable. Also, the front end feels like it turns in better too, as there's less rotational mass to fight against when you turn the wheel.
I'd go as far as to say that in a reasonable speed corner on a crappy surface, the difference in speed you can carry through due to increased grip is entirely noticeable
For the purpose of comparison, both cars were on the same 20" Vspokes, with the same P Zero's

They also look much cooler, but are a bugger to worry about every time you drive through gravel and every squeak or grind makes my wallet cringe in case I've damaged a disc
A C7 is a heavy car, so if you're going to go hard repeatedly on them, I can't see that you wouldn't start losing a bit of pedal without them