[kaputt]

Quick question here:

Are the standard brakes that come on the 230 good enough for some spirited driving on a twisty back road? I'm not talking track use or even auto X use, but just normal DD use with weekend blasts down back country roads.

I really am not interested in getting the Track Handling Package because I don't want the adaptive suspension, and I also don't want to pay the massive price for the M Perf Brakes (plus the colors are too loud).

Thanks in advance.

For whatever its worth, its ridiculous that BMW got rid of the option of just adding the M Sport brakes, even though they continue to offer that everywhere else in the world. I wonder if that could be special ordered?

[Dylan86]

You can buy the brakes separately down the road if you chose to. Would cost much less than the entire package too.

Based on what you're saying, you don't want/need them anyways Standard brakes are for standard duty. So if you're not tracking at all, you should be fine. BMW standard brakes are typically pretty good for the intended use.

[2msport]

The standard brakes are very good and imo have a better feel/initial bite than msport brakes. (Which tend to have too much travel at the top)

[i8ur911]

Yes, the standard brakes are more than adequate.

[RoundelM3]

Took wife's 228i M-Sport convertible to the Blue Ridge Mountains over 4th of July weekend; no problems with fade or overheating, although I did use the 8AT's manual mode to help on some of the longer downhill stretches.

[kaputt]

Thanks for the responses!

I guess my final question is, if one ever wanted to do HPDE just to try it out, would the standard brakes be able to handle that? Especially if the fluid was upgraded?

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by kaputt

Thanks for the responses!

I guess my final question is, if one ever wanted to do HPDE just to try it out, would the standard brakes be able to handle that? Especially if the fluid was upgraded?

They should be ok specially if it's going to be the first time as you most likely won't be driving too fast....

I believe the 230 has the floating caliper brakes with a single piston doesn't it ?... in comparison the m235/40 come with 4 piston in the front which will be able to dissipate the much better...

You might actually want to keep the stock fluid... if you go to a better fluid, you will increase the boiling point which will mean that even though the fluid won't boil, it might get too hot for the brakes so you will not get the warning from boiling the fluid... you will go straight to overheat the brakes and maybe damage seals and/or pistons...

see what others say....

[SteveInfante]

I have taken my stock 228 with the standard brakes to Hockenheimring in Germany and an HPDE here with SCCA and they were fine. I had a couple corners where I cooked the entry and they still held up well. That being said BMWs natural habitat is back twisty roads.

[casualDIYer]

I found the standard brakes are the best ever and I'm on my third BMW. Previously I'd swap out the factory brakes but this time, no need. Last weekend I did an HPDE, no issues at all.

[keylime503]

I've done 2 HPDEs on my F32's standard brakes, no issues whatsoever.

[Liquidpaper]

Standard breaks are fine for spirited driving, and some HPDE/Auto-x if you are a novice. Just pay attention to the car -- if you start to smell something burning, back off.

[kaputt]

I appreciate all the responses! Sounds like the standard brakes are quite good!

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by kaputt

Quick question here:

Are the standard brakes that come on the 230 good enough for some spirited driving on a twisty back road? I'm not talking track use or even auto X use, but just normal DD use with weekend blasts down back country roads.

To be honest, the brakes on ANY new car would be good enough for spirited driving on a twisty back road. In fact they would be good enough for HPDE track days as well. The only requirement for brakes at the HPDE track days that I have been to is that the brake fluid is fresh. Stock brakes are allowed for virtually any brand car.

The brakes on the 230 are better than most other non-enthusiast cars.