Brakes - pants?

[jaykaybi]

Is it just me or are the standard brakes on my Elise quite poor?

I'm running on Michelins tyres at the mo (only had the car a week today!) if that makes much difference...

Although I can tell that the brakes improve with a bit of heat, I still feel very underwhelmed - they're not especially worn (the fronts are almost new) but all the same I'm sure that my old 1.6i Toyota Corolla () slowed down with more force...

Can anyone suggest a good upgrade?

I'm not a tracker, so I don't ned the very best...

>> Edited by jaykaybi on Thursday 25th May 10:21

[Mr_C]

press the pedal harder. they aren't servo assisted.

has your car got MMC brake discs or iron ones?

[jaykaybi]

They're not the mmc's.

I have experimented with pushing harder, and obviously they work better then. But still not particularly impressive nevertheless, and the front tyres are prone to skid more than I'd expect (dry road conditions).

Hmmmm.

Cheer's all the same!

[Mr_C]

I've always found that my car stops unbelievably well. You possibly just need to get used to the brakes and learn how to use them, or go on a carlimits driving course where you'll be taught how to properly use an Elise, and you'll be amazed at what it can do.

If it's locking up VERY easily the tyres could be too hard or have aged a bit.

hope you get it sorted mate


Paul

[iccees]

I would have the existing brakes checked out before changing pad's etc, might be someting wrong with the bias etc. My brakes are standard throughout and work really well in fact I was quite ammazed at how well when I first drove the car. The only execption to this is in the wet, which dosn't seem to be your problem.

[jago]

i commented on the andy walsh car limits day that his emergency stop wasn't that quick (obv quicker than mine) and he said his Audi A6 stops quicker. he had extra rubber on the front too. so probably is fair to say elise breaks aren't especially great...

[jfrf]

the brakes arent that great.
i would say my other halfs clio 1.2 has better stopping power

>> Edited by jfrf on Thursday 25th May 12:22

[shangani]

I not convinced there is anything wrong with the brakes. At north weald I was braking nearly a car length faster than a honda s2000 which is supposed to be renowned for its brakes. Bear in mind that the grip on that airfield surface is rubbish.

Since then I have done quite a bit more to the brakes - braided lines, pagids, upgraded discs (as I track the car). On my track tyres, on the track under braking, I reckon I could plaster a passenger right through the windscreen if they were not restrained. It is very light, so there is less to stop.

It did take me a while to get used to the force required. The brake feel is fantastic. However, I did drive a friends car the other day (standard pads) and the brakes felt like they had no initial bite. When you are due for a change, get pagid RS42's or mintex pads. It will make a world of difference.

[Mr_C]

I was going to say, when I've been on track in both my car and as a passenger in other Elises/Exiges what you lose out on the straight to the Subarus/Evos etc you can generally make up on the brakes and through the bends.

[Bingoid]

First time I put the anchors on hard my Missus nearly went through the windscreen....

[ChrisJG]

WHen I test drove my Elise, I thought the brakes were a bit pants and that they may cause problems. Since driving the car regularly, I've realised just how good the brakes are - it was simply a case of getting used to how much pressure needed to be applied. Its 2nd nature now.

[tuscan_thunder]

I'd get shot of the Michelins for a start. I don't know what Michelins fit the Elise but I guess its the Primacy. That's a stock tyre for bottom rung hatchbacks like Clios and Corsas. An Elise deserves better.

When you've got the new tyres on (and their bedded in) stand on the brakes. If the wheels lock, there is no real intrinsic problem with the brakes.

For tyres, I'd go for anything Yokohama, or the BF Goodrich G-Force Profiler (not the G-Profiler though!) or Toyo T1-R.

However, if you still feel improvements can be made, braided hoses, Mintex 1144 pads and new fluid will help a lot. Personally, I don't like EBC products but some on here find them to be a good solution at reasonable cost. I'd stick with the Mintex and put up with the brake dust.

[mrdemon]

i would fit AP disks Pagid pads and some new fluid with braded hoses

you will have enough brakes.

[s works]

James, come along to a KentLotus meet www.kentlotus.org for info. Meet a few of the guys and go out in different cars with different set-ups.

I have EBC turbogroove discs with Mintex 1144 fast road pads and the difference the pads make is huge to the OEM ones. Other guys have very expensive Ali-belled discs and Pagid pads, with braided hose and those things stop like they've just dropped anchor - unbelievable.

[jaykaybi]

Tuscan Thunder, got it in one - Michelin Pilot Primacy tyres.

I hear the yoko advans are the way to go for regular road use ....?

[tuscan_thunder]

I've got A520s on (cos they're cheap!) but they're a decent all round road tyre. They aren't the best, I'll be the first to admit, but for the money they're fine.

Advans of nearly any description are fine.

Do you intend to do track days? Depending on the answer to this, we can advise better on a tyre to suit.

As for brakes, if the discs look sound and there's plenty depth with little scoring, I wouldn't mess about changing them yet. Work with what you have first then see. If you change to braided hoses, you'll get a firmer pedal. Mintex 1144s are pretty cheap and will be fine for the occasional track day as well as having good heat-up from cold.

[s works]

jaykaybi said:

Tuscan Thunder, got it in one - Michelin Pilot Primacy tyres. I hear the yoko advans are the way to go for regular road use ....?

Yep, but be sure that you get the Lotus ones. You want Yoko Advan Neova LTS... about 500 a set fitted, but B&C were doing a good deal on them. Also try Lipscomb Lotus near Maidstone and see what they'll do a deal for.