Looking for Track Brake pad options for factory brakes - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Lscman · 10th March 2004, 17:12

I'm looking for feedback on this somewhat "rare" OEM brake topic.

I realize most M5 track enthusiasts switch to big brakes, but hey, I'm...different. I occasionally run my cars in SCCA Stock Class Solo events & I don't want to get bumped up.

For background, the E39 M5 front pads are shared with '95-'02 540i, '02 530i and '95 (and up) 740i and 740iL.

These are the "genuine track pads" I've found that fit the stock E39 M5 front brakes (FMSI#D681, sometimes known as pad type 7560):

Porterfield R4 (non-S)
Hawk HT10
Pagid Orange and Yellow
Ferrodo

Any other ideas or options for track pads are appreciated.

gsfent · 10th March 2004, 17:25

Lscman
I can't speak from experience on tracking the M5, but I have had my Audi Q on the track, only about 200 lbs lighter, and inferior front to rear weight balance. I have used Hawk Blues (I think HT-10 is new) and one step below, Hawk HP PLus and both have worked fine (and I run instructor group). The blues are a little more aggresive, and in the M5 I would sugges Motul 600 fluid and open brake ducts. No personal experience with the other pads. Have fun!!
Regards,
Jerry

CSBM5 · 10th March 2004, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lscman

Any other ideas or options for track pads are appreciated.

I have no experience with these, but Carbotech has a number of different compound pads available for the M5 from all-out race to street. Perhaps some others on the board have used one or more of these compounds?

stever · 10th March 2004, 18:28

Hawk Blues are not a good idea -- they will chew up the rotors rapidly with only a small amount of street driving and generally don't have very good life on the track.

I found Pagid Oranges to be inadequate on tracks that are hard on brakes and ended up with pad transfer.

Pagid Blacks certainly work, but i had trouble bedding them properly (and found that you cannot bed them over Oranges -- unless all the material is off the rotor -- and how do you know it's all off?). In theory, Pagid yellows should work, but don't have any experience.

I'm running PF97s on the front now for track with Stoptechs and they seem to do the job. if they don't make a front pad for the M5, you should be able to send them a set of plates and get them to make up the pads.

with proper pads, OEM brakes should work, it's just a nuisance to change pads -- and because of the bedding issues you really need to change rotors with pads

Lscman · 10th March 2004, 18:31

gsfent,

Perhaps the Hawk Blue would be a good rear pad with HT10 fronts, since they won't see so much heat. From reading, it appears HT10 offers bene's over the older Hawk "color coded" pads. Sincere thanks for the first-hand track assessment.

CSB,

Good catch on the Carbotech pads for D681. I forgot about those.
I hear the P+ are good for severe duty track & the brand new XP might be better.

Stever,

Excellent info. The the new Yellow Pagids look interesting...sounds like the older Orange is marginal for high heat. Your comments mirror Pagid comments. There's lots of great pads out there...that don't fit the D681 app

stever · 10th March 2004, 18:43

i'm running axxis ultimates on OEM rears street and track with no problems - and i really didn't have problems running OEM pads on the rear for the track either -- you can't really get the rear brakes hot enough to bed a track pad (i've used temp paint to check)

Lscman · 10th March 2004, 18:50

Well.....that answers another question.

If you aren't overheating Axis Ultimate with stock rear disks mated with big StopTech in front, I'm not going to use a race pad in the rear (either). Sounds like Zeckhausen's recommendations were on the mark (again).

foxyboym5 · 10th March 2004, 18:50

Tracked the beast last weekend, and although i think my discs were warped when i bought the car a few months ago, they definitely were after the weekend! I was coming from 80-40mph with bad vibration through the steering. Definitely couldnt use all the beasts power, but it was quite a tight track so that may have had an influence.

Anyway, good advice guys cheers

mottati · 10th March 2004, 19:48

[quote=Lscman]I'm looking for feedback on this somewhat "rare" OEM brake topic.

I realize most M5 track enthusiasts switch to big brakes, but hey, I'm...different. I occasionally run my cars in SCCA Stock Class Solo events & I don't want to get bumped up.
[quote]

Lscman,
I have used the ht10's on my 528 (with 540 brakes) at the track on a couple occasions, using R tires. They worked very well. Since i have my M5 (with stoptechs) i obviously no longer use the 528 on the track. I'll check and see if i still have the ht10s, if so you can have them, if you like. PM me (so i remember) and i'll look in my shed this weekend.
Mike

Lscman · 10th March 2004, 19:48

foxy,

My track experience has shown heavy vibration in the steering wheel is usually due to: 1) cracked rotors or 2) cracked pads or 3) a buildup of pad carbon deposits on the swept area that results when temps exceed the pad compound's operating range. If you noticed the vibration before track time, I'd suspect overheated rotors with cracks. They tend to open and close with temps, causing intermittent vibrations on the street. I've seen them a couple times.

I have yet to see a warped rotor cause such vibration and I've gone thru at least 40 rotors on various track cars.

It may be worth a look.