New Guy Needs Advice

[SLICKTITTLES]

I need advice on future brake pads.

I plan on bringing my e92 M3 to the track a few weekends during the summer but don’t want the hassle of switching back and forth between pads or the bedding-in process associated with switching pads.

Through reading threads on this forum and weighting what’s more important to me (longer rotor life vs. hitting a wall) I deduced that I should go with either a semi-metallic or sintered pad, more so leaning towards sintered.

Please let me know your thoughts on what specific sintered or semi-metallic pad provided you with optimal track/street stoppage. Also, please include if your pads were paired with stock rotors or aftermarket. The car will be tracked in the NY/NJ/CT area if that helps any. Just trying to give (and get) as much info as possible without sounding like the typical new guy who just asks, “Hey, what pad is best?”

Down the road, I believe it would be in my best interest to fully upgrade to a brembo setup, but for now I figure I’ll go with pads just to get a few laps in a car under my belt (used to kart-still do when the back isn’t acting up!)

Appreciate the help in advance.

[kitw]

Stay stock. No pad is a true dual purpose pad.

[ex10psi]

Originally Posted by kitw

Stay stock. No pad is a true dual purpose pad.

+1000

stock for street
PFC01's for track

[elh0102]

I have been pleased with the StopTech street pad on track. I’m pretty sure they offer it for the OE M3 calipers. I’m not sure it is a lot better than the BMW pad, but after a two day event, I believe I can get two more track days from them. I experienced no pad issues at all. A disclaimer, I am not a brake-abusive driver, and I know other drivers who would likely have issues with them. There’s not a tire or brake pad made that can’t be destroyed in a weekend, so it really depends on your style.

[rzm3]

StopTech Street Sport Pads for OEM Calipers
Front: 63-309-0918
Rear: 63-309-0919

[SLICKTITTLES]

Everyone-thanks so much for your help-I really appreciate it.

Figure I'll play around with the pads first before moving to a complete stoptech setup-I've heard brembos aren't all they're cracked up to be.

Does anyone actually run a stoptech setup on and off track without hassle?

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by SLICKTITTLES

Everyone-thanks so much for your help-I really appreciate it.

Figure I'll play around with the pads first before moving to a complete stoptech setup-I've heard brembos aren't all they're cracked up to be.

Does anyone actually run a stoptech setup on and off track without hassle?

I do. The high performance ST street pads that come with the brake kit are great. They are dusty, but no worse than the OE BMW pads, and no noise. As I posted earlier, this is not a race pad, and would not be suitable for such use, but it serves my street/casual track needs use very well.