Exige S Brakes (?)
Discussion
I took my car for a 200 mile blast today, on a route normally used in summer on my Ducati. In brief from Worcs to Powys and back via Tenbury, Kington, Newtown, Cross Gates, Leominster and back. Plus a little halfway detour to the Elan Valley to chill out some!
The object was to "key" me into the car along with fishing out any major problems that can be sorted while there is plenty of warranty on it - I have only had it 2 weeks.
The 22 mile stretch from Newtown to Cross Gates is one of the best roads in the UK (make that Europe), with the longest straight not much above 1km, I would guesstimate?
The car was superb throughout and I can honestly say I have never enjoyed a "car" drive as much - I had to take a 30 min coffee break at the Cross Gates cafe to let the adrenalin "cool".
The only thing I can take any issue with is the brakes. Now don't misunderstand me as they are extremely powerful and pull the car up from serious speed easily. My only complaint is with the pedal feel. My last car, a 997S had the brakes from a 996 TT as standard and are probably one of the best road setups in the world IMHO? What I was missing today, was the ability to take off huge speed by only "brushing" the brake pedal. The Exige has a 1/4" or so of "not much" before the brakes start to bite and give you any feedback.
Is there an easy (and relatively cheap) solution to this? I am thinking braided hoses at the front and different pads (Pagids maybe?), but do I need to be considering different calipers as well?
If so, what should I be looking for - I think the new PP Exige S has an AP Racing upgraded front caliper?
If I am on the right track, what are the costs involved, bearing in mind I would probably get the work done for me - I don't mind twiddling spanners but I am not so confident when it comes to such an important item!
The object was to "key" me into the car along with fishing out any major problems that can be sorted while there is plenty of warranty on it - I have only had it 2 weeks.
The 22 mile stretch from Newtown to Cross Gates is one of the best roads in the UK (make that Europe), with the longest straight not much above 1km, I would guesstimate?
The car was superb throughout and I can honestly say I have never enjoyed a "car" drive as much - I had to take a 30 min coffee break at the Cross Gates cafe to let the adrenalin "cool".
The only thing I can take any issue with is the brakes. Now don't misunderstand me as they are extremely powerful and pull the car up from serious speed easily. My only complaint is with the pedal feel. My last car, a 997S had the brakes from a 996 TT as standard and are probably one of the best road setups in the world IMHO? What I was missing today, was the ability to take off huge speed by only "brushing" the brake pedal. The Exige has a 1/4" or so of "not much" before the brakes start to bite and give you any feedback.
Is there an easy (and relatively cheap) solution to this? I am thinking braided hoses at the front and different pads (Pagids maybe?), but do I need to be considering different calipers as well?
If so, what should I be looking for - I think the new PP Exige S has an AP Racing upgraded front caliper?
If I am on the right track, what are the costs involved, bearing in mind I would probably get the work done for me - I don't mind twiddling spanners but I am not so confident when it comes to such an important item!
The AP set up is new discs as well as calipers/pads.Cost is around £1500.
Having spent a fair few miles in a Zige S with them, I would fit them to my own car in trice.
I think the std set up does suffer a bit from dead travel at the top of the pedal.
Pagids may impove things, or try Mintex 1144.
Having spent a fair few miles in a Zige S with them, I would fit them to my own car in trice.
I think the std set up does suffer a bit from dead travel at the top of the pedal.
Pagids may impove things, or try Mintex 1144.
Change ALL hoses to braided and the oil to race spec. You should get a much better brake feel. This should almost cure the fading problem as well but if you still have the problem change the pads. After all the above, if you still need more braking power, upgrade the discs and then the calipers.
I thought the S had pagids as standard or do they come as part of a sport or performance pack?
Having an S1 I can't really comment on the S2 Exige brakes but would have thought you want to fit Pagid RS42s (I don't think the Mintex 1144 will last you very long - I have them on my car with its thundering 118 horses and will be changing to Pagids soon). I think I've read that the Performace Pack kit fitted to the S removes the dead bit at the top of the pedqal so it might be worth investigating what brakes that has (AP discs and Pagids at a guess).
Having an S1 I can't really comment on the S2 Exige brakes but would have thought you want to fit Pagid RS42s (I don't think the Mintex 1144 will last you very long - I have them on my car with its thundering 118 horses and will be changing to Pagids soon). I think I've read that the Performace Pack kit fitted to the S removes the dead bit at the top of the pedqal so it might be worth investigating what brakes that has (AP discs and Pagids at a guess).
Check pads first and swap to Mintex 1144 (road) or Pagid 42's (road/track)). Also make sure the fluid is done properly 
DO NOT TRUST A DEALER to do this "properly". Front calipers MUST come off and rear pistons must be fully wound back into the calipers. It really does make a world of difference. After that then its time for new discs and calipers but there are quite a few who race without the need for this.
IMHO Brakes are a real weak point on the Lotus, only when dry and hot do they seem to bite and stop the car properly. My X5 is more responsive (not saying feel is better) but it scrubs off speed pretty sharpish for a 2 tonner whereas the Exige still needs me to stand on the brakes to knock 50mph off in 50m
DO NOT TRUST A DEALER to do this "properly". Front calipers MUST come off and rear pistons must be fully wound back into the calipers. It really does make a world of difference. After that then its time for new discs and calipers but there are quite a few who race without the need for this.IMHO Brakes are a real weak point on the Lotus, only when dry and hot do they seem to bite and stop the car properly. My X5 is more responsive (not saying feel is better) but it scrubs off speed pretty sharpish for a 2 tonner whereas the Exige still needs me to stand on the brakes to knock 50mph off in 50m
Thanks for replies all.
£1,500 is quite a bit more than I wanted to lay out really (the main idea of this car was to save me some money), so I think I will try the pad change to Pagid 42's as a first step - even I can do that!
Crikey just checked on Eliseparts and see they are £96 for the fronts - they better be good for that!
Jeez, plus VAT, so £113 - oh well, in for a penny....
£1,500 is quite a bit more than I wanted to lay out really (the main idea of this car was to save me some money), so I think I will try the pad change to Pagid 42's as a first step - even I can do that!
Crikey just checked on Eliseparts and see they are £96 for the fronts - they better be good for that!
Jeez, plus VAT, so £113 - oh well, in for a penny....
Edited by nsm3 on Tuesday 1st January 17:14
Edited by nsm3 on Tuesday 1st January 19:13
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