Carbotech XP10 pads

[nikolarun]

I currently run Mintex 1155's on my Jag XJR-S for trackdays (driving to the track as well).
Are the Carbotech XP10's worth going for? They are almost 3x more expensive for a set of fronts. ( got quoted £240 delivered from Carbotech).

[wellground]

Best pads I have ever used, I will use nothing else now. But they do need bedding in as per the user guide. Full heat cycle required. Then they are magic. Hope that helps.

Rob

[rallycross]

They are very good pads ( as are xp8) ok not cheap but not the most expensive either and its worth paying extra for good brakes!

[Lee b]

i use carbotech xp10`s in my x bow as i did in my mitsubishi evo and they are brillant pads, i`ve also used xp12`s and they are also very very good.

well worth the money

[nikolarun]

Thanks for the replies , the 6 million dollar question is are they £150 quid better than the Mintex M1155's ?
The Jag is quite heavy at 1.8t. Do they last longish ?

[mrmr96]

They are fantastic. I've been through XP8, XP10 and now run XP12's on my Evo. The XP12's are too track focused for the road (they only really come on song at high temps) but the XP8 and XP10 are a good balance to be useable on road and on track. In a big heavy car like the Evo or Jag I'd say the XP10's. Make sure to use good fluid too of course.

Couple of downsides:
- Price
- Dust
- Have to bed them in properly (fully heat cycle), which some people may stuggle with (they have to smoke and stink, then you're doing it right!)
- They can squeal if not regularly used hard.

Plus points:
- fking amazing braking
- Heat resistant
- fking amazing braking

[nikolarun]

Thanks,
I use Castrol SRF. Dust not an issue. Bedding should be OK. The more they squeal the better IMAO
I will most likely order a set and see what the fuss is all about
How is the fade on them? For example I can do 5 hard laps of snetterton 300 and then have to do 1 cool down lap as the pedal starts getting long( Although this is more to do with heat, I am hoping having better pads will somehow help ).

mrmr96 said:

They are fantastic. I've been through XP8, XP10 and now run XP12's on my Evo. The XP12's are too track focused for the road (they only really come on song at high temps) but the XP8 and XP10 are a good balance to be useable on road and on track. In a big heavy car like the Evo or Jag I'd say the XP10's. Make sure to use good fluid too of course.

Couple of downsides:
- Price
- Dust
- Have to bed them in properly (fully heat cycle), which some people may stuggle with (they have to smoke and stink, then you're doing it right!)
- They can squeal if not regularly used hard.

Plus points:
- fking amazing braking
- Heat resistant
- fking amazing braking

Edited by nikolarun on Monday 23 April 23:55

[T4RRR]

For those who have tried XP12s and like them, I would seriously recommend trying the new XP20s. Initial "bite" is a little higher but the main thing for me is they last way longer than XP12s and also appear to be a little gentler on discs. I tried some at my last Thruxton outing and for me there's now no going back to XP8s, 10s or 12s! I must add that I only use the XP20s on track, got a set of 1521 (Bobcat) pads for road use which are more than adequate.

[nikolarun]

Thanks for the inside. I can't be bothered changing pads at the track for the moment
The car is nowhere good enough to go to such extremes Changing wheels is hassle enough, but will keep it in mind as the Jag is slowly becoming a race car

T4RRR said:

For those who have tried XP12s and like them, I would seriously recommend trying the new XP20s. Initial "bite" is a little higher but the main thing for me is they last way longer than XP12s and also appear to be a little gentler on discs. I tried some at my last Thruxton outing and for me there's now no going back to XP8s, 10s or 12s! I must add that I only use the XP20s on track, got a set of 1521 (Bobcat) pads for road use which are more than adequate.

[T4RRR]

nikolarun said:

Thanks for the inside. I can't be bothered changing pads at the track for the moment
The car is nowhere good enough to go to such extremes Changing wheels is hassle enough, but will keep it in mind as the Jag is slowly becoming a race car

Forgot to add that the car I use on track is also a daily driven 4 door family saloon, and couldn't be any further from being even remotely considered as a track car, so I'm in a similar boat to yourself. Admittedly the Brembo callipers fitted as standard do facilitate making pad swaps that little bit easier!

I totally agree with "Wellground" that once you try Carbotech pads there really isn't any going back and I've worked my way through most of the compounds including XP8, 10, 12, 16 and now 20 hence can quantify the tangible differences between them.

Edited by T4RRR on Saturday 14th April 12:58

[wellground]

I have not tried the 20's yet. The 12's don't last as long as the 10's. Are the 20's longer lasting than the 10's.

I would never use anything but Carbotech now, I just need to fine tune which type suits my track car the best.

On the road XP10 are fine

[T4RRR]

wellground said:

I have not tried the 20's yet. The 12's don't last as long as the 10's. Are the 20's longer lasting than the 10's.

I would never use anything but Carbotech now, I just need to fine tune which type suits my track car the best.

On the road XP10 are fine

Yes they are Rob; you may recall me in my bright green Volvo S60 as I've done a few days at Combe when you were there too

The 12s are very good, especially when running semi-slicks but they don't last very long at all - granted its a very heavy car but I've worn a brand new set of XP12 fronts down to half in a day at Thruxton whereas the 20s have only worn by around 2mm from new at an OPL event at the same circuit just recently. I run a XP20 front and XP12 rear combo for track use at the moment.

XP8s and XP10s are fine for the road apart from the squeal, which is why I'm now running the "Bobcats", which perform roughly the same as the XP8s for normal driving, but don't have quite the same high temperature performance.

[wellground]

Yes I do recall you, fast car and driver. Thanks for the input, I will try XP20 next time then. I too had problems with fast wear with the XP12's, I was about to go back to XP10's. But I will try XP20's on your reccomendation. Thanks again.

[PhillipM]

Love the XP8's and XP10's on the buggy, they're superb, worth every penny.

[wellground]

Thanks for the recommendation. XP20's ordered this morning. I am going to run XP10's on the rear still, as I am very happy with them.

[youngsyr]

Have used XP10s on the Evo for years - great pads, but you will need to regularly use them properly to stop them squealing. If you don't do track days or regularly use all of the car's braking ability, you wil get squeal.

As someone else mentioned, uprated brake fluid (for boiling temp) is a must, as you will generate a lot of heat using these pads to the maximum of their performance.

[wellground]

Yes I use Castrol SRF with Carbotech pads. Excellent results.

[T4RRR]

wellground said:

Thanks for the recommendation. XP20's ordered this morning. I am going to run XP10's on the rear still, as I am very happy with them.

Great stuff!! Let me know what your opinion of them is - I'm still trying to see if I can get the day off on the 30th to do the day at Combe!

[Hollowpockets]

Any of you guys tried the Pagid rs29? Would be interested to here what your thoughts are between the two.

Graham

[magooagain]

I use pagid yellow rs29 along with castrol srf. I use them on the road and track. Thats with my front wheel drive Fiat Coupe 20vt. Wieghing about 1300klg. Very good results.

My mates that are using Carbotech in the same model cars are saying the carbotech are much better than any Pagids.

I may be trying the Carbotech next or Carbon Lorraine pads.