CBnAT

I'm considering buying a model end 997 to keep for a long time and I have configured one at least 100 times. I keep debating back and forth on the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB). I know they are a little overkill for the street, but I am wondering if long term they are a better option to have on the vehicle or if they are actually more trouble than they are worth (easily damaged, potential repair bills, availability of parts as the car ages)? The car would see some track time, but it would not be a dedicated track vehicle. 8K is a pretty steep option.

Thoughts?

Bob Rouleau

Skip the PCCB. Waste of money - of no use on the street and if tracked they wear out just like regular rotors which cost 10-15 times less. If you track a lot and are not buying an S, an aftermarket brake upgrade would be useful and still cost less than PCCB. Your other points about cost etc are all correct.

nazhat

interesting....thanks

LlBr

IMO, Tiny differences on public road use in terms of "agility and handling" not worth it. Compared to steel: IF they stopped the car faster, i.e. increased safety, I would have bought them. Then I heard if they're wet because of rain they are a split second SLOWER to respond: that killed it for me.

BTW, I would have got them:

IF they were like $2K instead of $8K
IF you could fit a spare over them (no spare is possible)
IF they didn't have bright YELLOW BS on display (personal opinion no disrespect intended)

Here's the official technical avantages of PCCB by Porsche (attached).

BostonDuce

Never experienced wet disk delay.

I love how they don't dust much with street use, how the disks don't rust when stored wet, and the rock hard pedal.

I don't love the chatter with light use, the replacement liability, and how you will never recoup your investment unless you keep them for 10 years/150k miles.

BD

jhbrennan

As stated in the Porsche info 6 piston in the front v. 4 piston on non-PCCB plus significant size difference too:

Dimensions Disc diameter x width Pad area per brake
Brake Systems (in) pad (sq. in.)
911 Carrera
Front axle: 12.52 x 1.10 9.85
Rear axle: 11.77 x 0.94 7.60
911 Carrera S
Front axle: 12.99 x 1.34 12.17
Rear axle: 12.99 x 1.10 9.85
PCCB
Front axle: 13.78 x 1.34 17.36
Rear axle: 13.78 x 1.10 9.85

Edgy01

I have about 53,000 on mine (06 S) and love every minute with them. As our roads in America continue to deteriorate unsprung weight becomes an increasingly important factor.

Little pad wear is a plus, and of course, little to no dust. I rarely have to wash the wheels.

The rumors about web brakes are strictly rumors. The only time I experience anything like that is just after I have washed the car. After braking once or twice coming out of my driveway with a wet car they shed the water and dry fast. Under normal operations (heavy rains) there is no issue at all.

BUT, this is not something for most Americans who flip cars every 2-4 years. You will never recoup your investment. It's only for those of us who (1) actually drive our cars several thousand miles each year, (2) keep them for several years, and (3) drive mountain roads which entail a lot of braking. And yes--they are better than the iron ones when you do a lot of braking. They will not overheat.

I will not go back to iron rotors.

lig

I love them for the lack of dust. They perform beautifully. They look cool. They don't go through pads very quickly.

If this were my track **** - I would definitely go with iron. Being primarily a street car - I am 100% satisfied.

WaltB

I like mine! Little to no brake dust is worth the money to me alone.

Ucube

Fully agreed that the cost is steep upfront and in replacement, but it's well worth it to me. I'd definitely check that box if I were ordering a 911 today.

stevepow

I don't think it is so much of a recoup investment thing - with a car, and especially options, that ship has sailed almost no matter what. Either you want them and pay up, or you don't. The way PAG prices these, the cost/benefit seems a bit out of whack; that there is even any reasonable debate about the "goodness" of them, makes $8K a really tough pill to swallow. That and some arguably lesser cars are including these as standard.

Nugget

If I were buying a street-only car I'd definitely consider PCCB. Still, putting it into perspective...

My local, fancy car wash place charges $65 a month for unlimited hand car washes and wheel cleaning service. At $65/month you could get your wheels cleaned and detailed professionally every single morning for ten and a half years for the same cost as the PCCB option on a 911.

Edgy01

Which lesser cars have ceramics standard? I'm certainly not familiar with any.

Also, the same brakes are about $22,500 in a F430 Ferrari, so $8500 is a comparative bargain in a Porsche.

Nugget

Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard on the Corvette ZR1. I'm not sure if that qualifies as "lesser" or not, but it's in the same ballpark price-wise as a 911 (as long as you don't add PCCB to the 911 )

stevepow

That Audio RS5 has them too, I believe - but maybe they are not equivalent?

Maybe neither are lesser cars, just different - let's say. Less money, carbon brakes, is what I was getting at.