Brake pads for occasional track use

[gofaster 101]

Hi.

Did my first track day in my N54 powered 130i on the weekend.

The car is setup with 335i rotors but the pads must be road ones as the pedal went spongey after a lap so it got a bit hairy slowing from 200kph 😀

Keen to hear from those who track their cars and what brake pads they use as I am sure this should sort my problem along with fresh brake fluid (looks good but will change so I know how fresh it actually is)

Thanks, John.

 

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2963]

Are you looking to keep the pads in the car the whole time or swap them over for the track days?

Hawk do a good range of pads from “street” to “full race” I run the HP Plus in my race car - not the ultimate in stopping but last pretty well so a good trade off and possible all round pad?

Good to see you recognise the need for the fluid, go for a good hi-temp one, Castrol or Motul. Thats most likely what’s giving the spongy pedal. 

[sweetm3 180]

Hawk dtc-70 for my driver training days.

And once cooled down on the drive home, the 70s clean the rotors.

So no problems with putting my street pads back on.

[nick496 269]

I use DTC-60's on my car when I take it to the track, then swap back to street pads.

Fluid is definitely a must as well. 

Setup seems to perform well enough, though rotors definitely take a beating. 

[gofaster 101]

Thanks for replies folks.

Not looking to swap pads out each time, so looking for a pad that will work on both street/track.

Will mostly focus on Autocross as a regular event which is not as harsh on brakes as repetitive laps.

Will take a look at the Hawk HP Plus.

[Eagle 1669]

Brake fluid is the weak point. Fresh high temp fluid before every track day is what i subscribe to. I found OEM pads ie Jurid etc usually handled half a dozen lap sessions well enough on my 80-90's era BM's with good fluid.

Pagid RS421 are what i used to run on E34 for street and occasional track day. Expensive but no complaints.

[gofaster 101]

On 6/22/2021 at 2:50 PM, E30 325i Rag-Top said:

Are you looking to keep the pads in the car the whole time or swap them over for the track days?

Hawk do a good range of pads from “street” to “full race” I run the HP Plus in my race car - not the ultimate in stopping but last pretty well so a good trade off and possible all round pad?

Good to see you recognise the need for the fluid, go for a good hi-temp one, Castrol or Motul. Thats most likely what’s giving the spongy pedal. 

Thanks, is that Dot 4 or 5.1

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2963]

At least the 5.1 stuff I would suggest, I can’t remember what the Motul 600 is rated as but it’s a full on “race” fluid -not cheap, but good.

[Matth5 471]

On 6/22/2021 at 7:32 PM, gofaster said:

Thanks for replies folks.

Not looking to swap pads out each time, so looking for a pad that will work on both street/track.

Will mostly focus on Autocross as a regular event which is not as harsh on brakes as repetitive laps.

Will take a look at the Hawk HP Plus.

There are autocross events in Christchurch? 😶

[gofaster 101]

Yes  mate. Canterbury Car Club run Autocross and Motorkhana events year round. We have about 2-3 half day Autocrosses at the track (Ruapuna) with a sealed motorkhana in the morning. Last weekend we had our full day Autocross. There are also grass Autocrosses during the summer with similar mix. Other clubs such as Autosport and RATEC also run a couple per year on grass. Canterbury Car Club next half day Autocross is on 31st July with a sealed Motorkhana in morning. PM me if you want more details or head to their website

[Matth5 471]

Oh that's good to know! Not sure I'll get a chance now as I'm planning to move to Aus. But if I get the time I'll check that out!

[gofaster 101]

You are safer here mate 😁