AP Racing pad life vs stock

[m4forum]

After a lot of reviews and discussion I am not seriously considering BBK AP Racing 9668 for M4 (just the front) and the reason is not looks or functional performance but actually running cost. Currently a set of pads last a single weekend even after cooling, shim plates and DSC off. Thermal capacity the stock system can manage isn't enough for the speeds I am running. You can have different situation and I am advocating that all should move to BBK ... it is case by case and so many variables to play with.

I am an experienced driver and instructor.

My last and final question is : running BBK on front only will be cheaper than stock on my case? In terms of rotors I dont have issues with stock and can run them w/o issues. Just need to run longer on pads.

Based on some preliminary analysis the thicker pad used on 9668 leads to at least 2-3x more lifetime.

Would appreciate to get feedback if you are experiencing such increase on pad life compared to stock assuming the same pad? In case you switch pads still would like to hear your opinion.

[m4forum]

Please would appreciate any feedback?

[SYT_Shadow]

The bbk pad will last much longer than stock. It's thicker and has much more surface area.

I don't know if you'll get away with just doing a front bbk. I tried this the first weekend I tracked my CS and burnt the rear brake dust boots almost immediately

[m4forum]

Any other feedback?

[bimmerboyE92]

Not really exact... but we used to use (2) sets of DTC70 stock pads per season. Now we use (1) set of DTC70 pads for the 9668.

[fanatic1]

AP Pro5000R 9668 is a nice kit, but plan on rotating the pads to counter the taper wear, extends pad life dramatically. My stock rears are torched, get so hot the studs weaken.

Best to do both front and rear BBK like shadow

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

The alternative option would be to check fcp euro and just warranty your brake pads through them. I've gone through two sets of rear pads and the replacements have been free via the warranty program they run. You just need to send them back to them.

[m4forum]

thanks for the updates. the stock pads on the front has 17mm total thickness. Considering 5-6mm for back plate and 5-6mm safe material on the pad I would say we have 12mm (plate + safe) leaving us with 5mm of usable pad material. On 9668 pad thickness is 25mm. Taking 12mm we have 13mm remaining of usable material. this is 2.5x more life. I see possible to double life pad what aligns with some comments here.

Regarding the rear is definitely a challenge in keeping the stock but I would like to know how BBK on front impacts overall balance and potentially can play with rear pad compound. Also have added cooling on the rear and DCS is off.

I like the suggestion FCP euro. EBC has a deal on RP-X and RP-1 pads but on stock caliper. get one free. I tried the RP-X and they worked very well good bite and same life as DS3.12.

[fanatic1]

Originally Posted by m4forum

thanks for the updates. the stock pads on the front has 17mm total thickness. Considering 5-6mm for back plate and 5-6mm safe material on the pad I would say we have 12mm (plate + safe) leaving us with 5mm of usable pad material. On 9668 pad thickness is 25mm. Taking 12mm we have 13mm remaining of usable material. this is 2.5x more life. I see possible to double life pad what aligns with some comments here.

Regarding the rear is definitely a challenge in keeping the stock but I would like to know how BBK on front impacts overall balance and potentially can play with rear pad compound. Also have added cooling on the rear and DCS is off.

I like the suggestion FCP euro. EBC has a deal on RP-X and RP-1 pads but on stock caliper. get one free. I tried the RP-X and they worked very well good bite and same life as DS3.12.

Played around with rear pad compound for better balance (bias to rear) with some success, the offset is more rear heat. The rear heat ended up being a terrible idea with pads going very quickly.

If I keep the car, will definitely add matching BBK in the rear.