The other day I'm parked next to a Ferrari 612, a beautiful car - just stunning. The owner is a very friendly guy and we start chatting it up. I ask to see the engine and he's glad to pop the hood and show me that V12 Redhead. Then he points to a label under the hood that says "Check Oil with the engine running at idle" and asks me why the car is like that? He's never owned a car where you have to check the oil with the engine running. I say, "That's because you have a dry sump lubrication system, an separate oil tank in the car. Most high end machinery built for the track has that over a wet sump system". He has never heard of this and didn't know there were different systems and asks me why they do that and what does the oil tank look like? So I explain to him that under high cornering loads a wet sump system lays in the bottom of the engine and under aggressive cornering can slosh to the side, and get oil starvation (BMW E36 M3's were famous for this) and you don't want that on the track or autocross, etc. and by having a separate oil tank you can ensure a constant and steady flow. Then I take him over to my Vantage and show him because his 612 oil tank is hard to see. He thought it was very cool how they did that and how nicely crafted the Aston Oil Tank is made.

He looks over my Vantage and comments on the slotted rotors and how racy they look. And I say, "Yes, but they're still cast iron - your ceramic rotors/brakes that are about 20 times better." He said "What's a carbon brake rotor and why do I want them?" So I explained that to him as well.

It dawned one me that a lot of people that buy these high end cars really don't know what they have. They buy the image, the panache, the style, the heritage, or because their buddies have them, I guess. And they find it most interesting when someone explains to them what they do have, and how it works. Not too long ago I was explaining to a 458 Italia owner that the body of their car was all carbon fiber - and they thought it was just steel like a Toyota. Crazy stuff.

 

You are so right. I was talking with some Audi RS5 owners on the forum as I am in the midst of ordering one and they all keep pushing the carbon ceramic brakes. I asked why they think I should get them, and the most common response is that they look cool. I asked if any of the ceramic owners track their cars and they said absolutely not. What's the point of spending $6k for ceramic brakes that are ineffective on the streets. The stock rotors are drilled and slotted with a honeycomb design, they look great and work great, but not as cool.

In the end to each their own. It's their money and if someone wants $6k brakes they don't need because they think they look cool, who am I to judge!

 

Some forum members have a cow when I say Ferrari owners care more for the image than performance and not many Ferrari owners track their cars. From my experience that isn't far from the truth, seems like you have the same experience as well. Porsche and BMW owners seems to be more well informed than the other brands.

 

For street use one nice advantage of carbon rotors is very little brake dust. Unlike the AM steels which make a mess. I know plenty of Porsche guys that order carbon rotors just for that reason alone.

 

$6K would be totally worth it if I never had to deal with brake dust again!

 

I'll clean your wheels for 1/2 that.

 

I recently talked to a Brembo rep at a TRG event. He told me that a lot of owners who track their cars regularly actually swap the carbon ceramic rotors for steel. Reason is simple - cost. The rotors wear about the same but replacing the CC rotor is way more expensive. Any experience you guys can share in this regard?

 

The $6k was for the fronts only, no rear option was offered. Put on low brake dust pads and get a service to come do your wheels, it is still cheaper than 6k, never mind the cost to replace them every 3-4 years depending on the amount you drive an the style.

 

Every day for the rest of my life? And I don't have to feed or house you or even see you? You've got yourself a deal.

Yay, I just bought myself a wheel-cleaning minion!

 

ja but you ***** about the price of the oil he he leka man, Im like this as well will pay oodles for certain things and ***** about the smallest of costs .... like trafic tickets

 

GT-R and McLaren drivers always seem pretty knowledgeable. As far as most new Ferrari and Lamborghini "owners" in LA, well... I'm pleasantly surprised if they can find Italy on a map.

 

The point of a ceramic rotor for the street is that one; you don't ever have to change the rotors unless they break; and 2 because they weigh far less the ride of the car is not as bumpy; and 3 they will cause you to accelerate faster, smoother, and brake better because of less rotational mass. You'd be surprised how much different a car would handle if you switch to say carbon fiber brakes and wheels over steel and aluminum ones.

 

Oh and they give off hardly any brake dust which in itself to me is worth 9k of saved headaches lol.

 

As a long time Porsche owner, ceramics will last a long time on the track. As mentioned many P-car owners switch to steel so they don't have to worry about replacement costs if they get damaged or wear. Ceramics are lighter than steel but rotating mass is so insignificant that you will not see any real performance difference in acceleration and braking. Better drivers always prevail over equipment including brakes. Steel brakes perform extremely well and they are used in racing applications including Porsche Cup Cars.

 

name this movie.

The only person who could miss with this gun is the sucker with the bread to buy it.

reminded me of the subject of this thread