E92 M3 track pads

[MB 1]

Hi all,

Mate of mine is taking his M3 to Spa this year, for a 2 day track session, and I suggested the OEM pads wouldn't be up to the abuse. I've done Spa many times and it's not that hard on brakes, but even so, there are a couple of high speed braking areas. Wouldn't want an expensive track day spoiled due to pads fading!

So, without spending silly money, as this will possibly be a one off and won't be going balls out.... what pads do people advise?

I'd guess EBC Yellow or Ferodo DS2500, along with some Motul RBF600?

Pagid and PF are getting into the expensive end of the scale, but probably the best option.

[Dan S]

The standards are awful.

Two - three reasonably spirited stops and they grumble like hell, really disappointing.

I think the Ferrodos are the best option £ wise.

[MB 1]

Thanks Dan.


Any more?

[Paul_M3]

As you've said, Pagid are very expensive. They are also VERY good.

Pagid RS29's will stand up to almost anything you can throw at them, but also perform extremely well from cold as an everyday road pad.

If I had £30,000+ worth of e92 M3, I'd be more than happy to shell out another £200 or so for a set of RS29's.

[ferrisbueller]

RS29s for me too. They squeal if you don't use them now and again but they're much better than OEM.

Thorney will do pads, lines and fluid upgrade packages for reasonable money.

BTW I'd been told to leave DS2500 alone by Thorney. A quality issue or something.

[krallicious]

Pagid, Cool Carbon, or the BMW Performance pads are the way to go apparently. I'll report back after my Nurburgring track day next week.

I'm trying out the BMW Performance pads BTW.

[E21_Ross]

ferrisbueller said:

BTW I'd been told to leave DS2500 alone by Thorney. A quality issue or something.

really?? i've known multiple cars with ferodos on (including my own car) and they are nothing short of fantastic. not too bad from cold but by god once they get a few heavy stops in them they're fantastic! don't know of an M3 with them, but a friend has a 997 C2S with them on and swears by them.

Ross.

[MB 1]

Thanks all.

Would be good to hear an update on the BMW pads and prices.

[Mr Bimmer]

E21_Ross said:

really?? i've known multiple cars with ferodos on (including my own car) and they are nothing short of fantastic. not too bad from cold but by god once they get a few heavy stops in them they're fantastic! don't know of an M3 with them, but a friend has a 997 C2S with them on and swears by them.

Ross.

Have to agree with this. I certainly wouldn't trust anything Thorney says. He is well known for rubbishing anything that he doesn't sell.

Best to do your own homework.

[Paul_M3]

I have actually read a few reports that DS2500 aren't quite up to the job for serious track use on heavy cars.

For the fast road / Nurburgring use they'd probably be very good. (Or as a rear brake pad)

[Old Seadog]

The BMW performance pads are brilliant for track use but far to noisy for daily use.. If you want more info or considering buying a set PM me.

[ferrisbueller]

E21_Ross said:

ferrisbueller said:

BTW I'd been told to leave DS2500 alone by Thorney. A quality issue or something.

really?? i've known multiple cars with ferodos on (including my own car) and they are nothing short of fantastic. not too bad from cold but by god once they get a few heavy stops in them they're fantastic! don't know of an M3 with them, but a friend has a 997 C2S with them on and swears by them.

Ross.

I've never found them to be any better or worse than anything else. Just passing on what I was told (Thorney had stopped selling them due to issues IIRC). The RS29 is certainly impressive.

[E21_Ross]

ferrisbueller said:

E21_Ross said:

ferrisbueller said:

BTW I'd been told to leave DS2500 alone by Thorney. A quality issue or something.

really?? i've known multiple cars with ferodos on (including my own car) and they are nothing short of fantastic. not too bad from cold but by god once they get a few heavy stops in them they're fantastic! don't know of an M3 with them, but a friend has a 997 C2S with them on and swears by them.

Ross.

I've never found them to be any better or worse than anything else. Just passing on what I was told (Thorney had stopped selling them due to issues IIRC). The RS29 is certainly impressive.

ah ok, thanks ferry. i've never heard a complaint about them, but then, i hardly speak to the world!! either way, i suspect they will still be superior to OEM pads.

cheers.

[krallicious]

MB 1 said:

Thanks all.

Would be good to hear an update on the BMW pads and prices.

So, they are bloody excellent. Next to zero fade and a firm consistant pedal throughout the day means it was money well spent.

I paid about 700 Euros for fronts and rears but, even in Germany, they are hard to get hold of. There were only 3 pairs of fronts available throughout the dealer network!

[cpufreak]

DS2500s are great on light cars.

They're not so great on heavy cars like an M3.

with my old CSL, I used DS2500s at first, when I got AP calipers + discs... and they left deposits.. ruining a set of disks.

Switched to Performance friction pfc01 pads, no more deposit problems.