[QUOTE=JackG]
Quote:
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Originally Posted by MNBoxster
Hi,
You're falling into the trap set for you by the Porsche Marketing Dept. It isn't a question of whether more is better where Brakes are concerned. Adequate is good enough, the 'S' brakes are not better at all. There is absolutely no practical benefit from them for a narmally driven Street Car.
--- Incorrect. The S brakes have shorter stopping distances. That, by anyone's definition, is better.
You get no benefit from the added Fade-resistance, because you aren't applying the brakes often enough in a given period of time for them to boil the fluid or fade - only repeated applications such as on a Track will induce Fade. From your description, I doubt that you've ever really experienced Fade.
--- arenared never attempted to describe brake fade. Why are you attacking him, basically saying he doesn't know what he's talking about?
You get no benefit from the 7ft. shorter stopping distance (60-0) unless you're in a panic braking situation (which for a good driver, should be anticipated and avoided). Also, stopping the car in a shorter distance actually increases the chance that you will be rear-ended from the car behind you which cannot stop in as short a distance as you
--- Ah, so S brakes are better. If you were in a base, and you needed that extra 7 feet, you'd most certainly consider S brakes a benefit. The "good driver" statement is a fallacy, as we all know that some situations happen with any warning and with no way to foresee them. And since the base Box stops better than most cars, maybe we should change all Box brakes to drums, 'cause we don't want to stop better than other cars, huh? 
I never mentioned unsprung weight, though this is a factor (albeit a slight one IMHO). And your argument of going to a GT3 or 996 board and arguing Boxster Brakes is simply not germane, no one suggested this.
--- But... why not? The base Box brakes would be "adequate" for a GT3 in street driving at 60mph. And that's your whole argument..,. that the brakes should just be "adequate".
No most 'S' brakes owners will never realize any benefit of these brakes over the stock ones - about 99% of them. It's just bragging rights and Porsche's way of justifying the price difference between the 'S' and the Base as well as an opportunity to get a profitable after-sale purchase.
--- So only 1% of Boxsters ever see a track or spirited driving requiring repeated braking? Where did you pull that number from?
Just don't tailgate a Box with the S brakes while in your base, Jim. We don't want to have to ticket you for "following to closely" when you plow into their rear.  |
Jack,
You're missing my point, which is, the added benefit of the 'S' Brakes is all but unrealizable on a Street Car. If you wanna get the best brakes possible, then the PCCBs are the way to go, a worse cost/benefit ratio for a Street Car than even the 'S' brakes. They're only better in real terms if you use that added capability, which most Street Cars won't.
So far as the 7ft. shorter distance, again, somewhat moot insofar as most people adjust their driving habits to the capability of the brakes. People with the shorter stopping 'S' brakes will tend to apply the brakes
later, they will not leave an additional 7' between them and the car in front of them at a stoplight for instance. Could 7' make a difference in possible collision avoidance, in some circumstances - yes. But there's no reason to believe that you won't need 11' or even 8' to avoid it, which the 'S' brakes won't give you either. To be sure, such a collision will be at a lower speed, possibly reducing damage or injury, but the actual difference in MPH at contact wouldn't have any real significance.
And, several contributors have insinuated (if not outright stated), that adding extra power via Engine Upgrades or Mods makes the stock brakes inadequeate, and this simply isn't the case. The weight of the car hasn't increased appreciably, at least not to the point of making the stock brakes any less safe.
I am not averse to upgrading to the 'S' brakes, but for the $2000-$3000 or more involved, people should know that the improvement won't be significant, the benefit will be mostly bragging rights and aesthetics, which is OK, but one shouldn't try to justify the expense because of better performance...
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99