Brake technology and brake fade in Car&Driver.
 

this month's Car&Driver has a funny article on brake technology (single pot versus multipots) as well as brake fade.

overall, the 350Z and the FX50 did horribly.

the GM vehicles did much better than i would have thought --the Porsche vehicles were the best by far.

......and the 335i......well.......it is what it is.

For some reason, the Japanese do not seem to believe in putting usable brake pads on their cars.

it was really fun reading.

the FX50S has brakes that fade to an extent that is frightening and could be a potential NHTSA issue down the road (heavy vehicle X multiple slam stops = freight train crash).

they did not find a notable difference between standard 911 brakes versus PCCB brakes. the Z51 did all right for little 2pot brakes up front (1pots in rear) --the Nismo Z was also horrific.

the 335i was the worst in its peer group, i think (luxury cars).

The Z51 brakes are hardly little, given the (relatively low) mass of the car. Why would you say they're "little?"

they actually look quite small (to me) on the car in person.

even Z51 brakes.

They "look" small? The front brakes are 13.4" in diameter and 1.26" thick.

For reference, the rotors on the front of a 987 Boxster S are 12.5" in diameter and 1.1" thick.

I've only skimmed the piece thus far, but I thought they said the 335 had self adjusting brakes that worked really well?

Ed

The 335's "adjusting" brakes are brilliant, really. Artificially apply the brakes harder to hide the fade. What happens when the brakes are faded the point they don't work anymore? You go off the track with no warning?

I don't think the article gets into that type of opining, but I'll read it later today .....

Ed

What is the 335 peer group? I haven't ever felt brake fade other then breaking the brakes in, but . . . I am old, have kids, usually have one of the kids in teh car in the morning, and haven't been to the track. Still . . . 99.5% of their customers have driving habits more tame then mine, I am sure.