996 C4s - Brake Upgrade (Recommendations)

[Megabit27]

Hi.

Anyone have recommendations for upgrading brakes on a 996C4s?

Just picked up my 1st Porsche - 996C4S 2004 (27K miles), really happy with it with one exception, the brakes. Pads and discs all look good, but there is some travel to get then "on" and the brake pedal needs to be press quite firmly to engage the brakes. It does stop, but it's the amount of input required that has left me feeling that they need attention.

I not looking for track day hardware, but a upgrade for increased braking feel and stopping power - Recommendations and guidance is appreciated. I am based in the Midlands so recommendations for where to get the work done is also welcomed.

Thanks to you all in advance for responding.

A

[LordHaveMurci]

What did you drive previously?

[Megabit27]

Currently driving ML320 (56) & BMW 520d (12) -

[thegoose]

And there was I expecting the answer to be Audi. Unless there's something seriously wrong with your car (which would've been picked up on MOT or PPI, assuming you had one), then the C4S brakes will probably be far better than you're used to, but require more effort to appreciate. If they were over-assisted like your other cars they would have less feel, definitely not desirable in a sports car.

Drive the car more and get used to them and you'll realise they're very well engineered for normal road use. If you're a very quick driver and track it regularly then maybe look at upgrading the pads, but this will usually mean less feel on the road (due to the brakes not getting up to their optimum temperature).

[R26Andy]

Mine are the same. Very different to the hire cars I drive which are either on or off.

[mollytherocker]

They will be fine, maybe just change the brake fluid.

Over sensitive brakes are not the same as good brakes.

[Callughan]

I had 6c4s for 4 years, and yes brakes are cack for track or very fast use. Some have have changed to 997 turbo brakes 350 mm iirc. For normal use the brakes should be ok, when was brake fluid change, should be every 2 years.

[Callughan]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yep, and even upgraded to the tequipment pads(only choice as had p warranty) and changed fluid every year.

[WinstonWolf]

Megabit27 said:

Currently driving ML320 (56) & BMW 520d (12) -

BM brakes are generally over-servo'd. Once you learn how firmly you need to press the pedal I think you'll be happy with them.

[Callughan]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

They were better than stock but still think if you are going to be using on track you need to change the brakes for real improvement. Agree pagids are good, but wouldn't be arsed to change every time had to take in for opc. From memory 6speed has a good thread on it.

OP I have part details somewhere if your interested.

[anonymous-user]

thegoose said:

And there was I expecting the answer to be Audi. Unless there's something seriously wrong with your car (which would've been picked up on MOT or PPI, assuming you had one), then the C4S brakes will probably be far better than you're used to, but require more effort to appreciate. If they were over-assisted like your other cars they would have less feel, definitely not desirable in a sports car.

Drive the car more and get used to them and you'll realise they're very well engineered for normal road use. If you're a very quick driver and track it regularly then maybe look at upgrading the pads, but this will usually mean less feel on the road (due to the brakes not getting up to their optimum temperature).

+1 The brakes are very good for road use. Has it had a fluid change recently?

[Megabit27]

Thanks to all that have replied, appreciate the feedback and recommendations.

Whilst I can't disagree that the "driver" could be the problem here and not the brakes, I will change the fluid and the pads. This seem the sensible step to rule out one or the other.

Thanks all.

A

[thegoose]

Megabit27 said:

Thanks to all that have replied, appreciate the feedback and recommendations.

Whilst I can't disagree that the "driver" could be the problem here and not the brakes, I will change the fluid and the pads. This seem the sensible step to rule out one or the other.

Thanks all.

A

The only way to rule out one OR the other is to do them one at a time! If there's no proof of a fluid change in the last 24 months it's overdue anyway, if it's over a year then you're just bringing the job forward a bit. Let whoever does it inspect the pads and discs while they're at it and report back.

You haven't mentioned whether you had a PPI done - if so and it was done properly then they'll have checked the inner face of the discs (which have a propensity for corrosion) and reported accordingly - if not them get them checked properly. It's pointless putting new pads in if the discs need skimming/replacing.

[rlw]

Also check what fluid is in it. DOT 5 gives a very different feel to DOT 4. The former provides less feel but ultimately more consistent braking but with a bit of an insensitive pedal, the latter seems to give a more normal feeling, linear pedal. I think you can go 4 to 5 easily enough but 5 to 4 requires a lot more work .
I could be wrong about the numbers though....

[rlw]

I was under the impression that once you had put DOT5 in you had to stick with it as it was not generally miscible with anything else. So you need to flush the system and change some seals to go back. Or so I was told by the OPC who changed mine, but that was to some fancy Castrol fluid so that may apply just to that.
I'm no expert, merely repeating what I was told.
Just checked and DOT 5 must not be mixed with any other fluid as it is silicone based unlike all the others including 5.1

Edited by rlw on Saturday 9th August 18:49

[rlw]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Just checked the Opie Oils site so not OPC bks at all. Presumably bks from The Oilman who used to post here quite a lot and is quite well respected then....,

[rlw]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

As I said, I am no expert and have only repeated what I have been told and what the industry seems to say.
You have every right to do what you see fit and I am certainly not going to argue with you as long as it doesn't affect me.
In response to the OP, I would still check what fluid is I'm the system as DOT5 can make for a very soft feeling pedal which appears to require a lot of pressure.