[Shovelman]

Assuming they are in good condition, how do they compare to ordinary automobile brakes?

DD is a 2017/230 base model with no mods. I drive moderately and will never track the car. I already know they don't last longer but will they ever fade or let me down in any other way?

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Shovelman

Assuming they are in good condition, how do they compare to ordinary automobile brakes?

DD is a 2017/230 base model with no mods. I drive moderately and will never track the car. I already know they don't last longer but will they ever fade or let me down in any other way?

1) I'd like to think they're somewhat better, but I don't really know. You can be sure they're sized for the car and the way you say you're driving it.

2) They'll fade if you push the car hard with repeated high-speed to low-speed reductions in MPH; or, if you allow the pad thickness to become so thin that the pads can no longer hold the heat generated by even slightly hard stops done one after another.

If you're driving the car moderately, however, in the latter case you're more likely to wear through the remaining pad material and end up with metal-on-metal (i.e., the pad backing plate contacting the rotor) rather than fade due to overheating the brake fluid, which is what results in a soft pedal with a longer throw and a significant increase in braking distance.

Based upon your driving profile, I'd say you needn't be particularly concerned about your braking system. If I were you, I'd perform a twice-a-year visual inspection of the pads' thicknesses along with a brake fluid flush every two years.

I'd have the fluid flush done at a dealer, as it's my understanding that they have the equipment that ensures the ABS-pump/system is fully-flushed as well. Alternatively, you may find that you receive the same level of service from one of the independents found on BIMRS.org: https://www.bimrs.org/.

Just my 2¢, of course - I hope other members will weigh-in with their experiences and opinions as well.

[AmuroRay]

Tires make the biggest difference, "better" brakes may offer you more fade resistance and better feel.

[Maynard]

I was on those same base brakes, and they will exceed any needs you'd have on the street; the concerns you see on this thread are mainly for track use where drivers are intentionally maxxing brake use. Nothing is truly 'fade free' but I doubt you would be able to produce much fade without really pushing it in the mountains while fully loaded - that's what the engineers aimed for. They are even adequate for track use with proper pads/fluid, but it requires swapping to track-specific pads. I swapped up to the BBK because I plan to keep tracking, but while shopping options I was getting a lot of feedback that the stockers could be made to work for me even in that environment. And FWIW, the car has some safety features that will cut back on power if it decides that you have been working them in a way that would start to overtax them. If you push it hard, it will wear the rears faster d/t the TCS action - highly recommended so that you can exploit the warranty coverage before you hit the 30k mark (or did they nix brake coverage for the 230?). I'd say the only thing to worry about are speeding tickets (and any haters )

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I'd say the only thing to worry about are speeding tickets (and any haters )

Thanks - I needed that on this particular morning!