stock front brake pad availability

[dreeves]

So the front brake pad selection in the stock front shape (137) has really shrivelled up lately. No PF pads, no HT-10s… just Pagid RSL29, Hawk DTC60 and various Carbotech pads I've never tried.
Right now I have a set of ancient PF06s I had lying around, but this will be my last set. What's everyone running for track days these days? Or is this my cue to finally get a BBK in the front?

[mwagner10702]

No BBK is needed. Cobalt Friction my friend. I've used their pads on numerous applications and they work superbly. I'd suggest you give them a call, explain your track driving style, car performance, etc and they'll set you up with the perfect pad (front and rear). Pads are manufactured on demand so you are not getting an out-of-date compound or something that has been sitting on a warehouse shelf for years.

Best part - they require minimal bedding before they are ready to hit the track. I would suggest new rotors however.

Cobalt Racing Brakes (cobaltbrakes.com)

1-734-375-9148

[dreeves]

nice, will give them a look - thanks!

[jimmy p.]

So the front brake pad selection in the stock front shape (137) has really shrivelled up lately. No PF pads, no HT-10s… just Pagid RSL29, Hawk DTC60 and various Carbotech pads I've never tried.
Right now I have a set of ancient PF06s I had lying around, but this will be my last set. What's everyone running for track days these days? Or is this my cue to finally get a BBK in the front?

Dave,, Call Porterfield and see if they will do you a set of Raybestos ST43s, you will never look back.
I'm a huge fan of the Raybestos Motorsports pads, been using them for a long while now.

Also I believe Duncan Burke is making some very top end, bespoke brake pads and I think he has them available in the E30M3 pad shape.

[1990m3]

No BBK is needed. Cobalt Friction my friend. I've used their pads on numerous applications and they work superbly. I'd suggest you give them a call, explain your track driving style, car performance, etc and they'll set you up with the perfect pad (front and rear). Pads are manufactured on demand so you are not getting an out-of-date compound or something that has been sitting on a warehouse shelf for years.

Best part - they require minimal bedding before they are ready to hit the track. I would suggest new rotors however.

Cobalt Racing Brakes (cobaltbrakes.com)

1-734-375-9148

I like Cobalt Friction pads. Although I haven't used them on an m3 I have used them in endurance racing on otherwise stock brakes and they were consistent, predictable, and never wore out. We kept binning half used sets of pads after 16 hours on track.

[dreeves]

update: just tracked down some PFC 01 pads for the front. They're arriving next week.

[Digitalwave]

I'm in the same boat, no more PFC 08's that I've run forever. Bimmerworld recommended the Pagid RSL29's. I've used Raybestos ST43 and ST47 on another car (E90) and they are very aggressive. Less modulation than the PFC's but they stop HARD. It takes some getting used to.

I might try Duncan Burke's "Magic" pads next (he does have the E30 M3 patterns), if not, the Pagids.

Not a lot of people ultimately seem happy with Hawk DTC-60/70, but I do know a lot of people run them via buying from FCPEuro because you can use their lifetime parts warranty on consumable items too (brakes, fluids, etc.!).