PFC race compounds for the 135i

[Groundpilot]

OP, any updates? Track season is around the corner

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by MMisencik157

Ive been in contact with Speed-Freaks, LLC (tier 1 PFC dealer) regarding pads for the 135i. ...

Bump. Any progress on PFC support for the 135i calipers?

[dcaron9999]

Here's the latest ...

Just found out that PFC are very busy with several projects, and pads will not be ready for at least a couple of months.

PFC confirmed they will be offering it in 08 compound and Z-rated but they have not reached the prototype stage yet.

[dcaron9999]

Finally settled on Carbotech Xp10 front and rear pads for my 135i.
Got a 10% rebate with speed-freaks.net.
Nice people to deal with!

[dcaron9999]

Finally installed my Carbotech XP10 front and rear pads on my 135i.

Will get to try the XP10 pads on the track for the 1st time next week. Ive been running on street pads so far, and experienced brake fade (OEM Textar pads), and brake shudder (Cool Carbon pads). Ive installed 0.5mm Titanium Heat shields, and F30 Retrofit Brake Cooling dust shields.

I have absolutely no screeching noises so far. I used copper paste on all pad contact points, both surfaces of the Titanium heat shields, and guide pins.

The minor inconveniences with the Carbotech's, if you are willing to accept them are:

#1 - CT XP Pads move around when cold, as they are smaller than street pads. This design allows the XP pads to expand under extreme heat at the track.
(a) So any time you change direction with the car (forward to reverse, or reverse to forward) you will hear a slight clunk sound as the pad slightly moves from top to bottom of the caliper. This will only happen once after you change direction.
(b) when you drive over bumps at slow speeds, you might occasionally hear the brake pad rattle sound.

#2 - CT XP Pads are a little abrasive to the rotors when cold (street use), with a hidden benefit that they will clean deposits off your old rotors. You only will need to bed them just before hitting the track. When you are done at the track and drive them on the street again, you will automatically scrape off the pad transfer layer. Surprisingly, the pads work well on the streets, without any transfer layer or bedding process required, until you hit the track again.

#3 - CT XP Pads are dusty. About the same or a little dirtier than OE street pads.

#4 - CT XP wear sensor cutout is wrong. Not molded properly to hold OE sensor, so you must secure your sensor cable out of the way. No problem for me as I check pad thickness very often because I track my car.

[MMisencik157]

Yeah XP 10 would actually make good street pads if the noise wasn't bad. Not so much when new but wait until you get a few track days on them and lightly brake up to a stop sign or something. Still, they bite flawlessly when cold and won't completely eat your rotors with driven on the street (I daily drove mine for a few months in between track days). You'll like them a lot, especially coming from street pads. It may take you a few sessions to get used to them and stop getting into ABS in the brake zones, though

I still have no solid updates from PFC and and am pretty unhappy that this project keeps gaining steam and then something else puts it on the back burner.

When these pads finally get pushed through I don't doubt they will turn a lot guys into PFC fans… it just can't happen soon enough!

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by MMisencik157

Yeah XP 10 would actually make good street pads if the noise wasn't bad. Not so much when new but wait until you get a few track days on them and lightly brake up to a stop sign or something. Still, they bite flawlessly when cold and won't completely eat your rotors with driven on the street (I daily drove mine for a few months in between track days). You'll like them a lot, especially coming from street pads. It may take you a few sessions to get used to them and stop getting into ABS in the brake zones, though

I still have no solid updates from PFC and and am pretty unhappy that this project keeps gaining steam and then something else puts it on the back burner.

When these pads finally get pushed through I don't doubt they will turn a lot guys into PFC fans… it just can't happen soon enough!

I would definitely give the PFC pads a try if they "ever" become available, but quite happy with the carbotech XP10 so far at the track. Hardly any brake fade not matter how hard and often I use the brakes.

Front pads are already getting thinner than the rear ones after 2.5 track days. It is hard to exactly quantify how much without taking the wheel off, but 60-70% front pad left, and 90% left in the rear, by eyeballing it. I might try the Xp12's if I wear out the Xp10 front pads, and keep my Xp10's in the rear.

Slight high pitch sounds sometimes pops out at slow street stops as you mentioned, but not every time. I can live with that, if it does not get much worse. Maybe what saves me is that I visit the track often, sometimes once a week. I dont daily drive the car, so the transfer layer is never completely scraped off.

[joeo]

dcaron9999 - which track were you attending? If you pull the pads out - pictures would be great!
Thanks

-Joe

[MMisencik157]

Originally Posted by dcaron9999

I would definitely give the PFC pads a try if they "ever" become available, but quite happy with the carbotech XP10 so far at the track. Hardly any brake fade not matter how hard and often I use the brakes.

Front pads are already getting thinner than the rear ones after 2.5 track days. It is hard to exactly quantify how much without taking the wheel off, but 60-70% front pad left, and 90% left in the rear, by eyeballing it. I might try the Xp12's if I wear out the Xp10 front pads, and keep my Xp10's in the rear.

Slight high pitch sounds sometimes pops out at slow street stops as you mentioned, but not every time. I can live with that, if it does not get much worse. Maybe what saves me is that I visit the track often, sometimes once a week. I dont daily drive the car, so the transfer layer is never completely scraped off.

If you end up burning through this first set of XP10 before the PFC pads are ready I would give the the XP12 a shot on the front axle. It will be just fine with the the 10s in the rear. With the weight of the vehicle and the tires you're running, you may prefer them to the XP10s. Curious to hear if you will get any fade from your 10s as they start to get closer to the back plate. If they do the 12s should also solve that little problem as well. Glad to hear you're liking the 10s so far, though

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by joeo

dcaron9999 - which track were you attending? If you pull the pads out - pictures would be great!
Thanks
-Joe

The local tracks I visit are in Quebec, Canada.

I just complete two full track days at a HPDE last week-end at Autodrome St-Eustache (asphalt track), and I often visit ICAR in Mirabel (airport cement track) which is 10 minutes away. Both track host weekly lapping events.

Ill try to remember to snap pictures the next time Im in there. Either I replace them this season due to wear (late April to late October), or when I switch to street pads for winter (November to April).

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by MMisencik157

If you end up burning through this first set of XP10 before the PFC pads are ready I would give the the XP12 a shot on the front axle. It will be just fine with the the 10s in the rear. With the weight of the vehicle and the tires you're running, you may prefer them to the XP10s. Curious to hear if you will get any fade from your 10s as they start to get closer to the back plate. If they do the 12s should also solve that little problem as well. Glad to hear you're liking the 10s so far, though

Thanks for your feedback. XP12 front pads are on my top list. Probably will need them in a month or two, at the rate the XP10 are wearing down.

[MMisencik157]

Originally Posted by dcaron9999

Thanks for your feedback. XP12 front pads are on my top list. Probably will need them in a month or two, at the rate the XP10 are wearing down.

Yeah the wear was one of my only complaints with the XP10. They wear well with sufficient cooling but wear quickly when they run at the upper end of their operating temps. Other than that, they are a fantastic pad that can be used and enjoyed by everyone from first timers to pros since they are so easy to modulate. The XP12 has similar characteristics but everything is just a little more magnified and can handle a little more heat.

If you don't mind spending a little more, you should take a look at Endless ME20 or N35S. I think Im going to bite the bullet and test those compounds as soon as I burn through my current pads. Everyone Ive talked to thats tried them has been a believer after the first set. They should last longer than the Carbotech compounds, too (especially the ME20) which would help offset the hit of the purchase price.

Heres a link- http://speed-freaks.net/i-16446592-e...35i-front.html

I didn't see the N35S on the speed freaks website but I know they are available and should be the same price.

[dcaron9999]

I did a track day today at Autodrome St-Eustache. We managed to squeeze in nine 20-minutes sessions,

Had a blast and got comfortable with my square 255/35R18 setup and adjusted hot pressure until tires stabilized at 32 PSI front and 34 PSI rear.

Got some brake fade late in the sessions, so I think Im ready to place an order for CT1371-XP12 front pads.

Either I get the Endless ME20 EIP144 or the Carbotech XP12 pads in the front on 135i.

[dcaron9999]

I just received great news from my preferred brake pad vendor. They have made an arrangement with Performance Friction to produce the first sets of PFC '08 pads for the 135i calipers within 2-3 weeks.

Ive been selected as a beta tester and will report back my findings to this thread.

The vendor will provide a 15% rebate and free shipping (likely US only) on the first 20-30 sets sold.

I wonder if the following members are still interested (Last edited by MMisencik157; 12-22-2013 at 09:35 PM)?

List:
1. MMisencik157 - 08 compound front and rear
2. Sixle - 11 compound front and rear
3. jafo1701 - 08 compound front and rear
4. dcaron9999 - 08 compound for front and rear
5. HeelToe - compound TBD, loved the PFC Z-rated on aonther car. He is a "maybe"
6. 3002 Tii - 08 front and rear.
7. Ginger_Extract - 08 compound front and rear
8. froop - 08 compound front and rear
9. turbowolfe - 08 compound front and rear
10. machiavelli9988 - 08 compound front and rear
11. Groundpilot - 08 compound front and rear

[MMisencik157]

Finally this got pushed through!

Ill be sure to keep the original list on the OP updated as well.

Here are some direct links for those interested:
PFC 08 for BMW 135i (Front)
PFC 08 for BMW 135i (Rear)

Excited to hear some feedback on these in the near future!

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by MMisencik157

Finally this got pushed through!

Ill be sure to keep the original list on the OP updated as well.

Here are some direct links for those interested:
PFC 08 for BMW 135i (Front)
PFC 08 for BMW 135i (Rear)

Excited to hear some feedback on these in the near future!

Many thanks to Anish at Speed-Freaks.net for putting pressure on Performance Friction, and making this happen!

They are the first authorized reseller for the PFC 08 pads for the 135i!

Speed-Freaks will have 30 sets for sale, with the first 20 to be provided 15% off MSRP and free shipping.

Just an FYI, they will have firm pricing tomorrow...

Front: http://speed-freaks.net/i-18405606-p...rake-pads.html

Rear: http://speed-freaks.net/i-18405609-p...rake-pads.html

[jafo1701]

I have to burn through my Carbotech Pads first. When that is done I would be interested in trying out the PFC pads.

[Ginger_Extract]

Count me out at that price. I'll stay with Hawk...

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by Ginger_Extract

Count me out at that price. I'll stay with Hawk...

The 08 compound is supposed to last longer, so may be worthwhile.

Endless and Pagid pads are even more expensive.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Ginger_Extract

Count me out at that price. I'll stay with Hawk...

This pricing is consistent with PFC's pads for other makes. I prefer PFC over Hawk, less dust, longer lasting, and good fade resistance.

I really want these pads that way I can justify taking the 1-er on track, which means I can justify a longer haul which means I can justify going to VIR this year lol.

[joeo]

Buddy of mine uses these on his GT3 and they last a very very long time. I've tried stock, Hawk HT10s, and the DTC60s. So far the DTC60s lasted the longest, but it's no where near what my buddy is getting out of the PFC pads. Hoping they last as long on the 135i.

[Ginger_Extract]

Interesting...