996 Brakes

[cavok]

Hi Guys, I've just bought a facelift 996 C2 and have noticed that the brakes feel a little different to other cars I have owned (e46 M3 etc). They do seem to stop the car well even to the point of inducing ABS but they seem to need a fair degree of pressure on the pedal. Friends who drove the M3 tended to put me through the screen with a slight touch on the pedal!!

It has just been serviced by an OPC who say that the discs are slightly corroded! Outside faces seem fine.

Having spoken to the "specialist" who supplied the car
he stated that the brakes are always like that on 996's and that ceramics need even more pressure!

I have also heard that main agents do like to sell brake components.....

The car has done 21k miles and had the brake fluid changed at the service.

I would be very gratefull for any thoughts

Cav.

[nbetts]

Generally speaking of course, as I have not driven your car... Porsche Brakes do not have the (wow I have got really powerful brakes) feel that modern motor manufacturers give to their brakes.

VW, Audi and to a lesser degree BMW are all guilty of giving you an over-servo'd feel, that gives you the impression that the brakes are excellent. On the road this is more or less true the brakes are more than adequate.

Take it to the track and the Porsche has miles better brakes and it is obvious.

Porsche Dealer is right. Push the pedal harder and you will stop much quicker than you would expect.

[Raven Flyer]

I'm also new and have a 2002 996.

I suspect that the brakes are not servo'd at all.

They feel dead at first but when you are going for it, the lack of servo (?) gives perfect pressure adjustment.

I have now used them seriously and have yet to find the lock up point.

[DanH]

They are servoed, just perfectly judged.

Most modern cars are blighted with over assisted brakes that thoroughly hamper heal & toe. Porsche still get it right and long may it continue.

[cavok]

Thanks Guys, you seem to have hit the nail on the head really, whilst the 996 does seem less "servo'd" it does seem to stop, I guess this is normal then.

I know the TVR guys seem to be very sociable but are there any meets as such for us Porsche owners? I'm in Hertford..

Cheers for the advice.

Mike

[rumplestiltskin]

I had the same feeling about the brakes on my 996TT, however the last time that I had to use them in anger I was astonished how quickly they wiped off speed. I drive my wifes Vauxhall on a regular basis which has way over-servo'd brakes, so takes some getting used to jumping from both cars.

[gfreeman]

rumplestiltskin said:

I had the same feeling about the brakes on my 996TT, however the last time that I had to use them in anger I was astonished how quickly they wiped off speed. I drive my wifes Vauxhall on a regular basis which has way over-servo'd brakes, so takes some getting used to jumping from both cars.

have the same sort of situation.

Nearly shit myself when I let my girlfriend drive my GT3.... Came bowling up to a junction and she hits the pedal in normal Vauxhall fashion and we drop about half a mile an hour off our speed!!!!

Jeeeeeezzzzz! as she gradually pushed harder in ever increasing amounts of panic (well, I panicked anyway)!

"These brakes aren't very good are they??" she said as we finally stopped about 3 microns from the car in front!

Reminder to myself - explain all the Porsche foibals before I let her drive it again.... (second thoughts.... why am I letting her drive it in the first place???? Oh, I remember now - those nasty magistrates took my license off me!).

[DanH]

cavok said:

Thanks Guys, you seem to have hit the nail on the head really, whilst the 996 does seem less "servo'd" it does seem to stop, I guess this is normal then. I know the TVR guys seem to be very sociable but are there any meets as such for us Porsche owners? I'm in Hertford.. Cheers for the advice. Mike

Porsche club GB is massive and have lots of meetings. There will be a regional register who may be more or less active.

Being a member was actually a pre-req of my insurance

[800]

cavok said:

Thanks Guys, you seem to have hit the nail on the head really, whilst the 996 does seem less "servo'd" it does seem to stop, I guess this is normal then. I know the TVR guys seem to be very sociable but are there any meets as such for us Porsche owners? I'm in Hertford.. Cheers for the advice. Mike

I'm in Hertfordshire, if you want to start a meet

[gross]

As you are probably aware the hotter the discs get on the 996TT the better the brakes pull up. The 996 gives good brake feel around town and when you stand on them from 150mph they work! make sure your passengers got his seat belt on!

[rob05]

Might be a guess into the wind,but have you had the brake fluid changed?It needs this doing every two years,i took the advice of this forum and had mine done (yesterday)the difference is unreal the pedal feels great,just a thought.