PF brake discs - are they really any good!?

[shimmy]

Over the last 4 years i have had 3 sets of front AP discs and 1 set of PF discs, which are currently still on the car. i have to say i dotn think the PF discs are any better than the AP discs on my test results. See below.:smokin:

My first set of AP discs lasted only 700 track miles and around 2500 road miles and were 'warped' by either my crap driving first time out at Bedford OR pad deposits made them feel like they were warped, so eventually they were swapped out (April 07-August 07)

My second set of AP discs lasted around 1700 track miles and 10000 orad miles and were A1. 9August 07 - July 08). THIS IS HOW THEY LOOKED



My third set of AP discs lasted around 2100 track miles and approx 6000 road miles. (July 08 - April 09). When i took these off they were a bit worse for wear, worse than the ones above.

My first set of PF discs are now just over 1800 track miles and only say 5000 road miles since May 2009 and look like this. They are now in need of changing and i am thinking i might go back to AP as they are cheaper and LAST LONGER.

[s.mac]

I have used pf disks for 3-4 years and still on 1st set (the dimpled ones), they were replacement M3 OEM size, the disks are still OK, the callipers were 4 pot all round with mintex race pads. I would say I got excellent wear out of them with plenty of track time.
I have just put the APs on with new pf disks with pagid pads so I will have to see if there is any difference, yours don't look good at all for the mileage ....

[Mark CSL]

Best discs in the world shimmy :thumbs:

[TANKSLAPPER]

AP are shit, just look on the outer crack on the AP disc that could well be a serious accident.

PF use the best steel and are prefect balance without the use of grinding and clip weights in the cooling vein like AP do.

[shimmy]

AP are shit, just look on the outer crack on the AP disc that could well be a serious accident.
.

but i have to say i run the APs far too long to get that crack, much longer than the PFs so at the same lifespan i think PF would have been worse tbh

[AlexGTT]

Mmmmm, strange. I have to say I found the opposite.

My AP discs were cracked to the edges like your pic within 5-6000 miles. Probably 1000 of those on track.

My first set of PF discs lasted 10-11000 miles. About 1500-1700 miles on track (mostly Ring laps).

My second set of PF's are still on the car. I think I've done 5000 miles on them, probably half on track, mostly Ring but at least 4 UK trackdays. They still look spot on and performed great again at Snetts last week. Look as if they'll easily last another 5000 of the same.

I think the differences in wear could be down to driving style.

[s.mac]

were the disks bedded in till they turned blueish in colour?

[_Nathan_]

Shim - road miles mean nothing in this do they? The PF disks have done 100 more track miles than the AP disk in your picture and aren't as bad as the AP disks? You also said you ran the pads really low which isn't going to help much?

[AlexGTT]

Shim - road miles mean nothing in this do they? The PF disks have done 100 more track miles than the AP disk in your picture and aren't as bad as the AP disks? You also said you ran the pads really low which isn't going to help much?

Good point Nathan, on both counts. In fact, the only reason I had to replace my first set of PF's was because I ran my pads down to the metal at Spa last year.:banghead: Had to have a part worn set of RS15's off Curly to get me home.:whistle:

[shimmy]

third set AP 2100 miles on track and PF 1800 miles on track BUT i guess they are not as badly worn as the APs yet.

i think these PF have had a harder life as the pads have worn a little low occassionally (like at Snett) so the extra heat might have had some effect.

[_Nathan_]

I really rate them still, obviously possible you got a bad set though.

[glendog74]

I have read this thread with interest as i have a very positive experience of my AP disc setup.

I had APs fitted all round in November 08 - initially with Ferodo DS2500 pads. I quickly realised that the Ferodo pads weren't up to the job after just 2 track days so swapped to Pagid RS29s and have used these since with good results and am almost through my second set of front pads. The original rears are almost dead too.

I had the APs fitted at around 50k miles - my car has recently just turned 63k miles...

During these 18 months/13k miles, i have done a further 5 track days as well as 6 trips to the Ring totalling around 250 laps (approx 3275 Ring miles).

Apart from the usual thin hairline cracks in the centre of the disc contact area extending out towards the edge, i have had no issues with cracking on the disc outer edge as mentioned earlier. The discs are probably good for another 2-3k miles i reckon.

I had always heard good things about PF discs and had planned to swap to those when my current discs die soon. BUT - with the experience i have had with AP discs so far, i have to say i am very tempted to continue using them in the future - especially if they are cheaper than PF :thumbs:

BTW - i love you Shim :smt055

[northernjim]

I have read this thread with interest as i have a very positive experience of my AP disc setup.

I had APs fitted all round in November 08 - initially with Ferodo DS2500 pads. I quickly realised that the Ferodo pads weren't up to the job after just 2 track days so swapped to Pagid RS29s and have used these since with good results and am almost through my second set of front pads. The original rears are almost dead too.

I had the APs fitted at around 50k miles - my car has recently just turned 63k miles...

During these 18 months/13k miles, i have done a further 5 track days as well as 6 trips to the Ring totalling around 250 laps (approx 3275 Ring miles).

Apart from the usual thin hairline cracks in the centre of the disc contact area extending out towards the edge, i have had no issues with cracking on the disc outer edge as mentioned earlier. The discs are probably good for another 2-3k miles i reckon.

I had always heard good things about PF discs and had planned to swap to those when my current discs die soon. BUT - with the experience i have had with AP discs so far, i have to say i am very tempted to continue using them in the future - especially if they are cheaper than PF :thumbs:

BTW - i love you Shim :smt055

the ring is less heavy on your brakes tho than a normal circuit......

[glendog74]

the ring is less heavy on your brakes tho than a normal circuit......

Yes - i know Jim...

P.S. I love you too :smt055

[s.mac]

only if you know it :whistle: