Brake pads - for street and/or track

[Jay Sala <jsala@xxxxxxxx>]

As track season approaches, people are starting to ask for recommendations
on what brake pads to use for street and/or track use.  I've compiled some
info from previous digests and did some calling around to get price info
and wanted to share it with the group.  Below is what I've found -- take it
as another data point in making your own decision on what is best for you,
your car, driving needs, skill, budget, etc.  Note that the prices are for
the E36 325i/328i.  E36 M3 pads tend to be more expensive.  

Also, please keep in mind that there is no brake pad that can possibly
combine ideal performance for both street and track.  Some pads are better
than other, but all pads are compromises.  However, they trade-off street
and track performance in different ways, giving you the chance to find
what's best for you.  

Finally, the brake fluid of choice seems to be ATE Super Blue.  ATE Type
2000 is the same fluid, but it is amber colored.  Alternating the fluid you
use simplifies fluid flushes (e.g. keep on draining until the new colored
fluid come out).  There was a great website that had reviews of the
different high performance brake fluids (put together by someone with a
SHO).  If anyone knows the url, please post it.  

YMMV.  No financial interest, etc.  

Jay Sala
BMW CCA, Golden Gate Chapter
328i

STREET ONLY:

PBR/Repco/Axis Deluxe - Nice pad for non-aggressive street driving that has
been highly recommended on the digest for that use.  Keeps your wheels
clean.  May squeel/click a bit as they don't fit as well as stock.
Completely unsuited for the track, where they are said to vaporize under
extreme use.  A good pad if you decide to buy a set of track-only pads as
well and are willing to swap pads before and after events.  

MAY BE USED ON THE STREET AND TRACK (listed roughly from less to more
suited for track use)

Stock pads - A good all-around choice.  Fine on the street, and work
decently well on the track, though they can be overheated by a strong
intermediate or advanced driver.  Once overheated, they can warp the rotors
through prolonged attempts to get some braking. 

	Source:	Steve D'Gerolamo @ The Ultimate Garage
			(201) 262-0412

PBR/Repco/Axis MetalMasters - Good for high performance street driving,
though they may need to warm up a bit.  Use on the track is another matter.
 Some think they're OK, some feel very strongly that they shouldn't be used
at the track as they are not significantly better than the Deluxes.  There
may be better choices.  

	Source:	Turner Motorsport
			(978) 388-7769
			www.turnermotorsport.com

			Front set:  $33.95  (part no. D 3215)
			Rear set:   $33.95  (part no. D 3073) 

Pagid - These are German sport pads for street use. Very nicely made, fit
exactly.  They are as dusty as stock pads.  Have anti-squeal plate bonded
on the back and are completely suitable for street, but also work better
than stock on the track.  About the same price as stock pads.  

	Source:	Steve D'Gerolamo @ The Ultimate Garage
			(201) 262-0412

			Front set:  $45	(approximate price)
			Rear set:   $45   (approximate price)

	Note: Pagid is coming out with a new street/track compound in April that
is more aggressive.  

Performance Friction Z-rated - a good street/track brake pad.  Uses a
carbon-metallic compound.  Better stopping power and less dust than stock.
Quiet - don't rattle.  Not as good as the Porterfield R4S when cold.    

	Source:	Porterfield (see below)

			Front set:  $ ??
			Rear set:   $107

                      -or-

			HMS Motorsport
			(888) 467-3269
			http://www.hms-motorsport.com/	

Porterfield R4S - a carbon kevlar street/track compound with built-in
ceramic insulator. Impressive bite, power, and heat resistance. Work fine
cold.  (I have these on my car and they do not squeel.)  Note that you have
to monitor wear towards the end of the pad life since some of the apparent
friction material thickness is actually the ceramic lining.

	Source:	Porterfield
			(949) 548-4470	(ask for Jackie)

			Front set: $99	(part number AP558)
			Rear set:  $79	(part number AP396)


TRACK PADS (not suitable for street use)

Turner Motorsport Racing Pads (formerly Cool Carbon, now sold only by TMS
under their own name).  Very popular track pad for those on the BMW digest.
  While not as long lasting as PF90s or Hawk Blues, they are very kind to
the rotors and won't toss hot metal particles onto the wheel and body
paint.  Less expensive, too.  Not suitable for street use as they are noisy
and dusty, and may not stop your car well when they are cold.  

	Source:	Turner Motorsport
			(978) 388-7769
			www.turnermotorsport.com

			Front set:  $138.95  (part no. TMS 558)
			Rear set:   $ 99.95  (part no. TMS 396) 

Performance Friction 90 - One of several compounds they have available.  A
very popular racing pad used in IMSA, GT-2 and GT-3 racing.  Great braking
power, but not appropriate for the street.  Long lasting.  

	Source:	Porterfield (see above)

				Front set:  $195.30
				Rear set:   $192.50	
	
				- or-

			HMS Motorsport (see above)

Hawk Blues _ Strong braking, heat resistant. Also violent, noisy, not easy
to modulate, and they throw out these glowing metal particles which embed
themselves in your wheels and paint.  Can be very hard on rotors if not
properly warmed up. 

------------------------------