So what is the consensus on MMC brakes?
Discussion
Buster,
Interesting... I'm not doubting that it's a potential issue, it's just that I've never known anyone personally that's had MMC failure, so I take heresay with a pinch of salt.
I think a part of the problem is that a standard disc will probably fade long before the disc becomes temperature-critical whereas with the MMC it's the other way around... I must admit, I try to be kind to my discs on trackdays, usually do 4 or 5 "fast" laps and then one or two "minimum attack laps before going back on maximum attack again.
Having said that, my car is a very light spec (680kg on the corner scales) and has Magnesium wheels too (less inertia to brake) so the brakes should be fine even with continuous abuse on the track. I don't run TOO sticky rubber and only have 118bhp to play with so I think the brakes are more up to the task... I expect to see no failures on my car when I see how much punishment they take on my trackday companions.
Interesting... I'm not doubting that it's a potential issue, it's just that I've never known anyone personally that's had MMC failure, so I take heresay with a pinch of salt.
I think a part of the problem is that a standard disc will probably fade long before the disc becomes temperature-critical whereas with the MMC it's the other way around... I must admit, I try to be kind to my discs on trackdays, usually do 4 or 5 "fast" laps and then one or two "minimum attack laps before going back on maximum attack again.
Having said that, my car is a very light spec (680kg on the corner scales) and has Magnesium wheels too (less inertia to brake) so the brakes should be fine even with continuous abuse on the track. I don't run TOO sticky rubber and only have 118bhp to play with so I think the brakes are more up to the task... I expect to see no failures on my car when I see how much punishment they take on my trackday companions.
Reviving this thread as I still have MMCs and original pads on my S1 at 16,000 miles, (I bought it new 25 (!) years ago). I’ve had no issues and the brake performance on road remains superb, despite tracking the car regularly. I estimate that the pads have at least 25,000 miles left. That’s 40 years at my current rate of use. Should I buy in spare pads now on the basis that they may not be available in 2063? I certainly won’t be available in 2063 but my daughter wants the car. If so, who can supply them? This thread is nearly 20 years old - any new consensus on MMCs?
Shame that Churchill Matrix tried to sell a super-gun to Iraq. This would definitely be the braking system standard today without that geopolitical screw up.
Shame that Churchill Matrix tried to sell a super-gun to Iraq. This would definitely be the braking system standard today without that geopolitical screw up.
Edited by Bweber on Monday 14th August 22:26
Bweber said:
Reviving this as I still have MMCs and original pads at 14,000 miles, (I bought it new 25 (!) years ago). I’ve had no issues and the brake performance on road remains superb. I estimate that the pads
Is there a surprise ending missed off here? At 14k miles of course they are ok. Mind you, 14k miles in 25 years, is it worth it? 
You are right. The car’s not had much use in 25 years but I’ve started to use the car more and I mean to keep it standard. That includes the MMCs. The discs will last basically forever. But I would hate to have to replace them with iron discs for want of pads or other sundries. I wondered whether it was a good idea to buy in spare pads while they’re still available.
Bweber said:
You are right. The car’s not had much use in 25 years but I’ve started to use the car more and I mean to keep it standard. That includes the MMCs. The discs will last basically forever. But I would hate to have to replace them with iron discs for want of pads or other sundries. I wondered whether it was a good idea to buy in spare pads while they’re still available.
Well 40 years is quite a long time, but of course you should buy spares if you think there's chance the car will still be in use in you family by then! What about other service items? Cambelt, sump gasket, head gasket, oil filters etc?Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff