Carbon ceramic brakes vs. conventional steel brakes: Is it worth the money

When it comes to designing your dream car, the carbon ceramic brake package is often a no-brainer check off the option block. But with a price premium of $8,000 in some vehicles, is it really worth choosing ceramics over the conventional steel?

Cross drilled carbon ceramic brakes on a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.3 

Carbon ceramics brakes used to be an exotic car exclusive. Its high price masked in the sky high price for the vehicle itself. Now, carbon ceramics brakes are making its way into everyday performance luxury cars such as Porsche, BMW, Mercedes Benz and more. Entering a consumer market place where buyers begin to care about the options they choose and the price that accompany them. The most affordable car I was able to find that offers a ceramic brake option is the Porsche Boxster ($50,400 base price), where the upgrade to ceramics cost a whopping $7,4001. I find it hard to justify that increase in price, especially with the flaws that accompany ceramics during everyday driving. Before I go explaining the flaws of carbon ceramics brakes, let me inform you of its many benefits.

Carbon ceramic brakes refer to the carbon-ceramic composite material that the rotors are made of offering superior braking performance during extreme use. This composite construction offers lighter, stronger and more durable disks than their steel counterparts. And it’s this 3 way blitz where carbon ceramics shine over steel. Despite being larger in diameter, each carbon ceramics disc are about 12 lbs lighter than steel2. Therefore a vehicle equipped with ceramics can shed 24-28 lbs off its overall curb weight2. Where ceramics shine as the ultimate brake package is in its durability. Remember, Brakes decelerate your vehicle by forcing stationary brake pads onto the moving rotors and friction stops the car. Where there is friction, there will be heat. Steel brakes often have a tough time dissipating this heat during repeat hard use on the track. When the standard steel rotors get too hot, they warp, deform, and loose performance. Carbon ceramics dissipate heat far more effectively, preventing deformation, and maintaining performance. Not only can they dissipate heat efficiently, the extreme temperatures ceramics can handle are amazing. It’s why

Ceramic brake disc glowing due to high temperatures generated friction.
Although glowing bright, performance is not impacted6

carbon ceramic brakes are the number one choice in racing. Also the carbon composite material does not corrode like steel does when they are abused by water and salt2. Carbon ceramics are also known to last forever. Ok, not forever. But it has been reported that one set of ceramic brakes can last throughout the entire life of the car, about 100,000 miles according to brake manufacturers2. Now it’s too early to confirm those results true, but that is an impressive statement to make. Now you are probably wondering why I haven’t started quoting 60-0 mph stopping distances for ceramic brakes and begin comparing them to the steel equivalent. But most fail to realize that some steel disc packages stop just as fast as the ceramics do. The only time where carbon ceramics begin to gain an advantage is after repeated heavy braking, and the heat from the friction begins to scrub performance from the steel brakes.

Carbon ceramic brakes do have its flaws, but those flaws only show itself during everyday driving. First flaw is cost. No need to explain any further. The second flaw is the “squishy” or lack of feel the brakes have when they are cold. Ceramics don’t actually begin to feel “normal” until they heat up from extended track use. Which means those brakes will never feel “normal” for the 90% of drivers who never go tracking. The squishy feeling is actually the most common complaint and is a big deal for those who love the confidence of an early brake feel. Another flaw, which is me just nitpicking, is the squeaking noise ceramics make during low speed braking. Not as loud as truck and bus brakes sound, but just as annoying. The last flaw is of course the price. Sorry, I can’t help myself. The price for the upgrade can make anyone wince at its sight. Yes, ceramics discs look cool with those large dark gray rotors crossed drilled for extra heat dissipation. Yes, ceramic disc offer exceptional braking performance on the track. Can I reiterate, on the track. But if you don’t spend your Sundays at the track, where is all the money going? It’s a hard call to make, especially the standard steel brakes offer just as good braking performance as the carbons ceramics.

Ceramic brakes fitted to Lexus' flagship sports car,
the Lexus LFA5

So tell me, is it worth the premium? Are carbon ceramic brakes an $8,000-$9,000 bragging right or a design piece like carbon fiber trim? Are carbon ceramics brakes worth the inconsistency in brake feel depending on weather? In my opinion, I say if you’re a consumer that goes to the track to take a couple hot laps. Go ahead and get the ceramic brakes, you will not regret that decision. But if you are just buying your Porsche or BMW M6 to commute around town or flog on a windy canyon road, I would stick with the standard steel brakes. They are much cheaper, more consistent in pedal feel, and offer just as much performance as the more expensive ceramics. Now I do have one exception for those who work or live near a valley or mountain, carbon ceramics is a good choice coming from a safety standpoint. Those who live in that type of environment know that there are some long windy roads that go downhill at a steep grade for long distances. The steady braking needed to traverse that road can surely cause your steel brakes to overheat and lose performance which you don’t want spiraling down a steep hill. But worst case scenario aside, it’s all up to you to make the right decision.

Resources

1. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. "Porsche Car Configurator - All Boxster Models." Model Overview. Porsche Cars North America, Inc., 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://www.porsche.com/usa/modelstart/all/?modelrange=boxster>.
2. Brembo SGL Carbon Ceremic Brakes. "Benefit." BSCCB. Brembo SGL, 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://www.carbonceramicbrakes.com/en/benefit/Pages/benefit.aspx>.
3. Car and Driver. "2012 Lexus LFA Cross-drilled Carbon-ceramic Brake Rotor and Caliper."Car and Driver. 2013 Hearst Communication, Inc., 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://www.caranddriver.com/photos-10q2/352444/2012-lexus-lfa-cross-drilled-carbon-ceramic-brake-rotor-and-caliper-photo-352498>.
4. Brembo. "Carbon Ceramic Discs." - Brembo Brakes. Brembo S.p.A., 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://www.brembo.com/en/car/original-equipment/products/Pages/Carbon ceramic discs.aspx>.
5. Ross, Michael Alan. "Carbon-ceramic Brakes." CNET. Cnet, 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-10863_7-10018759-2.html>.
6. Alexsmolik. "Ferrari 599XX Glowing Brake Disk Downshifts !!!" YouTube. YouTube, 22 Sept. 2011. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Q4OpGCfME>.

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