Hi guys:

It looks like I need to get new brakes soon on my 2004 R53 and I would very much appreciate hearing everyone's experience with these brakes. Several years back I replaced the OEM brakes with after market brakes for street use only. They are OK but they do not have the same bite as the OEM, although they lasted a long time. It seems to be a good, better, best type of scenario.

I have done research here on the forum, but still have several questions. How are the R53 JCW brakes different from the OEM brakes? Is there a big difference.

The R56 brakes are a 4 piston design. Is there a noticeable difference from the JCW 53 brakes. Will I have any fitment issues on my 2004. From what I have read it is pretty much bolt on with the 2005 models on.

Thank you for your replies!

 

The R53 JCW brake kit is a great improvement from the standard R53 brakes. Plus the kit cost pretty good for what you get.

As for the R56 brakes, the standard R56 calipers are the same as the R53 JCW calipers. The 4 piston calipers you are talking about are from the R56 JCW brembo brake kit, that kit costs about $2k, so it's too much for the gain, a wilwood kit would be better money spent. Also the JCW R56 brembo brakes really limit you on wheel sizes.

 

Yeah, I was kind of thinking the same thing. I guess I would still need rear rotors. Which ones should I get? Should I also get the stainless steel brake lines?

 

how bout the Texas Speedworks Big Dirty ****** Kit now available at Way Motorsports?

http://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-bdm-brake-kit.html

 

Thanks for your post Lex, but I was hoping to keep the cost under $1K. I really did like the feel of the stock brakes. That is ulmiately what I want to get back to or better.

 

The R53 JCW kit is actually pretty darn good deal, especially considering that most JCW parts are $$$. Pads for all 4 corners, front rotors and calipers for that price is pretty nice. Adding rear rotors will still keep it under $1k. It will feel better than the stock brakes.

- Andrew

 

Are the rear rotors Brembo on the OEMs? Are the rear rotors the stock size?

 

not sure who makes the OEM rotors, but yes they are the stock size for the R53 JCW. getting the brembos on Way's site is a safe bet.

- andrew

 

What brakes to put on the car depends on your intended use of the car.

If you never had brake fade and do not wear through rotors/pads too quick with your stock brakes, maybe you just need good stock size rotors and better pads. For example maybe the Zimmerman/EBC package at WMW for $500 that includes front and rear rotors/pads plus SS lines:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-ebc...0-r53-r56.html

If you need a little more heat dissipation than you can upgrade to the JCW brakes at WMW for $700 plus $100-$150 for rear rotors and plus $100 for SS lines. But that gets you to $900 compared to $500 for stock size. Also, the JCW front calipers are very heavy if that matters to you.

If you plan to do track days with the car, I would suggest upgrading to the TSW or Wilwood big brake kits (BBK). They cost more but pads and rotors will last longer than stock sizes because the BBKs dissipate heat better. The BBKs are usually lighter than stock even though much larger. Remember that the stopping distance will not be any better with a BBK but the stopping distance will be consistant after repeated stops (do not heat up and fade).

 

My current set up is DBA slotted rotors with HAWK HPS pads. Some people like this set up, I did not. I really do like the "on and off" feel of the OEM.

A mentioned earlier in my first post, I only do street driving. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

I really do not like Hawk HPS pads. I have not run EBC.

I'm currently running on Stoptech street performance pads on stock rotors, replacing with Centric blank rotors on my R53. I'm happy with it. The stock pads IMO were pretty good, they just dusted like crazy. I think I'd only add stainless steel lines to my current set-up for street use, but the JCW's are tempting.

- Andrew

 

The Zimmerman rotors are great if you even need rear rotors. You can measure then and make sure, otherwise save your money.
As for SS lines they are a good investment, but not necessary.

 

You can do it for under a grand.

Three options:
1. A DP6 caliper kit on the later R56 (294mm), former R53 JCW rotors- you supply rotors of choice. $659
2. A DP6 caliper kit on the R56 JCW rotor (320mm)- you supply the rotors of choice. $659
3. A full 12.2 Wilwood kit with all the bells and whistles. $859

REVISED LISTING HERE

 

Then you would like the Hawk HP Plus pads, I hear the CarboTech AX6 are similar.