Carbon Ceramic brakes

[GregW / Oregon]

There has been a dialogue going on these in the Pricing thread. Thought I would try to move that discussion to here and I found this technical document on the M6/M5 CC brakes that may be of interest to many.

[solstice]

Just like LEDs the CCBs are improved technology and performance that one day will make sense in relation to cost. For me, that day is not here yet. Both look fantastic though. If they both were uglier, say that the CCBs looked like small drum brakes and the LEDs looked like huge bug eyes would you be inclined to pay for the performance alone...? Or let's say they looked exactly the same as the standard offering?

[Brosef]

I'm not afraid to admit that I'm willing to plunk down the $8k for CCB's just for the bling. those massive gold calipers and proper rear calipers (unlike the M5 and M6 CCB's) look badass. the weight savings is simply an added bonus. once I wear through a set of rotors though (which I certainly will after enough track days), I think I'll get a set of steel replacement rotors - I'm sure there will be aftermarket options available. at that point, the cost was about the same as getting a BBK.

[aajami]

I'm assuming that we'll see a 10-20% reduction in price of the CCB option as compared to the option on the M5 and M6, just because of the lower segment that the M3 and M4 are targeted towards.

While that would be an MSRP of around $7,700, it might be worth it for the unsprung weight savings alone. I believe it's around ~7 pounds per corner on the M5 and M6, which is huge. I felt a ~2 pound increase per corner in steering and rebound in my M3, so I have to imagine that a 7 pound reduction would be noticeable. (Notably, though, one forum member retrofitted the CCBs onto his M5 and said he felt no weight difference -- go figure).

[darkalley]

Seriously $8,000 for a brake upgrade? As a 911 owner I can tell you that the only option that really matters are wheels and the Nav. you are eating a huge chunk of it on resale but if money isn't an option why not. To be honest based on 1 year old 911S prices now I think when the M3 comes out it will be hard to not stick with the 911 if a nicely equipped M3 starts with an 8.

[Randy M]

Think I'd rather spend less on an individual color. Not only that but BMW will exclude carbon brakes from the no cost maintenance. And I like blue calipers better than disco gold...

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by Rated R

Think I'd rather spend less on an individual color. Not only that but BMW will exclude carbon brakes from the no cost maintenance. And I like blue calipers better than disco gold...

I think the gold calipers might be driving me away.

[jbockrd]

Originally Posted by darkalley

Seriously $8,000 for a brake upgrade? As a 911 owner I can tell you that the only option that really matters are wheels and the Nav. you are eating a huge chunk of it on resale but if money isn't an option why not. To be honest based on 1 year old 911S prices now I think when the M3 comes out it will be hard to not stick with the 911 if a nicely equipped M3 starts with an 8.

I'd agree, except the maintenance fees for the 911 scare me!!!!

[RMB]

I left off CCB's on my order and also didn't go with the rear sunshade. I don't see a track that often and the M4 will be my daily driver to work and fun on weekends. CCB's are great, but I already expect to pay at least 85k as is with leaving them off and going with everything else.

[aus]

Why would anyone get these other than for bling?
NO way you need it for the street.

If you track, you'd be crazy to get these over steel rotors.

Has BMW released the size of the rotors? And is the M3/4 getting a proper rear caliper?

.

[CanAutM3]

Good thread

I am also on the fence regarding the CCB. I do track quite a lot and I am concerned with the life and cost of CCB.

However, as you stated, it might be worth it compared to going with a BBK. So I am thinking that I should tick the CCB option and once the discs wear out, decide if it is worth sticking with CCB rotors or swap to after market steel rotors.

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by turbolag

I think the gold calipers might be driving me away.

If you are dropping $8000 on the brakes another $1000 to have the calipers painted whatever colour you want won't be too much of a stretch eh

[Needsdecaf]

After reading that technical doc, I no longer have much desire to get these. Seem to be way too fragile.

[darkalley]

Originally Posted by jbockrd

I'd agree, except the maintenance fees for the 911 scare me!!!!

My service has been $240 for an oil change every 10,000 miles. At 40,000 miles the service is a major one - plugs, wires,etc and that's $550. I think that's reasonable

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by aajami

While that would be an MSRP of around $7,700, it might be worth it for the unsprung weight savings alone. I believe it's around ~7 pounds per corner on the M5 and M6, which is huge. I felt a ~2 pound increase per corner in steering and rebound in my M3, so I have to imagine that a 7 pound reduction would be noticeable. (Notably, though, one forum member retrofitted the CCBs onto his M5 and said he felt no weight difference -- go figure).

If you read the document, you'd see it's 42.7 lb total for the M6, that's over10.5 lb/corner. The fragility worries me, though.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by darkalley

My service has been $240 for an oil change every 10,000 miles. At 40,000 miles the service is a major one - plugs, wires,etc and that's $550. I think that's reasonable

FYI, plugs are covered under the maintenance plan - my dealer did mine at ~35k

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Good thread

I am also on the fence regarding the CCB. I do track quite a lot and I am concerned with the life and cost of CCB.

However, as you stated, it might be worth it compared to going with a BBK. So I am thinking that I should tick the CCB option and once the discs wear out, decide if it is worth sticking with CCB rotors or swap to after market steel rotors.

I am thinking the same as you but the fragility of the carbon discs has me somewhat concerned as I am a little ham fisted on mechanical thingsI guess having wheel studs would help a lot when changing wheels.

[darkalley]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

FYI, plugs are covered under the maintenance plan - my dealer did mine at ~35k

I'm talking about my 911.

[kumar911]

gold CCBs are some nice looking bling

[Sedan_Clan]

Great discussion guys. I was planning to pass on CCB's, and after reading this thread I will continue on with that decision.

[Gearhead999s]

The CCB's are $6750 as an option on the M5 & 6's in Canada.

[absoluteis350]

I'll bring in my points from the other thread here..

Basically, no one is mentioning that it's not a $8k upgrade, but more like $3k or less depending on how long you keep the vehicle ??

What about the decreased maintenance costs ? Basically, (I assume) with street use only, it appears the rotors last the life of the car. Then, according to the service info the M5 guys got, the pads last $100k.. Now granted I am about to mention a different car with different brakes, but my RS4 I will have gone through 2 sets of rotors and 4 or 5 sets of brake pads by the time I hit 100k mi. That's a total of roughly $8k on brake maintenance, which is the equivalent price for the CCB

The lower maintenance recoups some of the cost. The saved time from screwing with wheel cleaners all year saves money (time). Add in maybe $1k for bling factor, and you have already paid for the CCBs.. At a grand total of $1000.. Sure if you keep your car for 1-2 years then the maintenance is irrelevant.

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Great discussion guys. I was planning to pass on CCB's, and after reading this thread I will continue on with that decision.

No you will not. You will purchase them because we told you to ;p