[QUOTE=ruexp67,May 4 2005, 05:28 AM] However SLAMMING on the brakes at 150MPH is, quite franky: FVCKING STUPID.

 

By definition you are basically out of control when ABS kicks in. ABS has kicked in because you are SKIDDING.

At that point you have no direct control over what the car will do next. You are HOPING that the physics of the situation will work out in your favor. ABS is an aftermarket way of helping reduce that skid and help you regain control. If you brake hard enough to get into the ABS you screwed up.

BTW -- If you apply the brakes firmly, but don't STAND on them, and by that I mean apply the brakes to the point JUST before you loose control, you will stop SOONER than skidding with ABS on. ABS does NOT shorten stopping distances under normal circumstances.

 

What are you basing this on (stopping distances, pedal feel, resistance to fade)? The S2000 stock pads can be used for "moderate" HPDEs but really a dedicated track pad is better (for any car including M3s).

I'll take S2000 brakes over just about any other production car made (obvious exceptions include some Porsche models and a few other fairly pricey cars). Perhaps your brakes need to be bleeded, maybe your fluid is old or cantaminated?

 

Locking your brakes (engaging ABS) at any reasonably high speed is a no no. I have repeatedly braked from ~120 at Summit and BeavRun with no problems whatsoever. In fact, I outbrake a lot of other cars.

 

[QUOTE=TubeDriver,May 4 2005, 06:27 AM] What are you basing this on (stopping distances, pedal feel, resistance to fade)?

 

Fade? So you track your cars? Cause I hope you are not getting your S2000 to fade on the street?

Initial bite is simply a matter of the brake pad compound, running Panther + I have a lot more initial bite than with OEM pads but I like OEM better on the street (not as noisy or dusty). My guess is that the M3 has a slightly higher coefficient pad compared to the S2000. As for your M3 stopping "much better and faster at any speed", er OK whatever you say. I have driven BMW and Porsches etc and instructed many folks in these cars at the track. I have never been in a car that was significantly better than a S2000 with race pads in terms of braking (although I prefer the feel of the brakes in a GT3 for example). Some of these cars have better thermal dissapation so can have less fade than S2000 but that is about it. None of the tracks around me are that difficult on brakes anyway so I guess it is somewhat of a moot point. The M3 is a nice car with great brakes. That being said, the S2000 brakes are race track ready with just a pad/fluid change. I bet if you find your brake specs on your M3 (E46?) that braking lengths will be within a few feet of the S2000. They may be more resistant to fade with repeated stops.

I wish the S2000 had more torque, weighed less but brakes was never even on my list of things that I needed to improve.

 

Well, I'm not a real track junkie nor am I an expert in aftermarket brake pads....so take my comments with grain of salt. All I know is that, after having been driving both cars for a extended period of time (s2k ~3 years, and M3 for 6 month) on the street, M3 gives me much more confidence when it comes to braking.

 

Just to shift the conversation off the pros and cons of ABS and standing on the brakes at 150 mph, for a moment, I was wondering:

Do those things really work? Most of the evaluation ariticles I've seen said they're pretty much ineffective. Not to mention that they're illegal in a number of states (don't know which) and you'll get hammered even harder if you're caught with one.

Just wondering!
Drive Safe,
Steve R.

 

I don't know about the laser jammer, but, to me, the radars only gave me false sense of security and let me know that I just got busted . I stopped using them altogether.

 

Sounds like you prefer the feel of the M3, fair enough. The actual braking performanceof the two cars is probably pretty similar (until they start to fade) but the M3 has a more European feel and might be more confidence inspiring.


As for RADAR detectors, I usually don't use mine. I just keep my eyes open and my speed reasonable. Basically, on the street I only go as fast as I feel I can afford the ticket (which usually keeps me no more than 15 over). Competing on weekends (autoX and HPDE) keeps my need for speed in check.