EBC Red/Yellow Stuff Reviews?

[PJZ]

Afternoon all,

I've just put my GTS in for service and apparently I need new disc / pads all round...among other expensive things like suspension bushes and springs! Not too happy considering I bought the car from them 11 months ago and only done around 4k miles...anyway...I'm waiting to get the car back so I can evaluate their findings....

I'm happy to fit the breaks myself but I was wondering if anybody has used EBC red/yellow stuff pads? One of the indie garages I spoke to said they had complaints of excessive squealing and now avoids them.

Anyone else had good/bad experiences?

 

[BennyD]

I use EBC yellows all round on my 335D and on the rear of my spyder but I'll be replacing the fronts with yellow stuff before I go to Modena. Great bite from cold, plenty of feel and no fade even from 160mph, I really rate them. Not tried the Redstuff.

 

[outrun]

PJZ, there's another thread recently about brake where on the GTS that discusses everything from skimming the discs to replacing with alternative parts. You should check it out, perhaps make a substantial saving over main dealer prices.

Yellowstuff changed their compound a little recently as a result of complaints of squealing and now all seems well. As Benny says, recommended as a worthy upgrade.

 

[Contigo]

I use Redstuff, no complaints....

 

[PJZ]

Thanks Gents! That's restored my confidence in going with yellow stuff. Appreciate the quick response.

I've read the post about the GTS discs so I'll add a reply with my findings so far...

Cheers

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Reds for me, nice bite, a lot better than standard and FD.

 

[allandwf]

I had red stuff on my Cerbera, took a little while to warm up, but superb once warm, were still good from cold, just a little juddery.

 

[BennyD]

I demonstrated the 'cold bite' of yellow stuff on my BM to Matt; from dead cold I hit the brakes at 100 and managed to elicit a swear word from him as he was thrown again this seatbelt!

 

[zoros]

My experience of the reds is that they are excellent but need considerable heat in them to do their stuff. V hard pads.

Can I ask: are you going to question the condition the brakes/springs etc are in after only 11 months and 4k miles? Were you out of warranty?

 

[PJZ]

I got the car back last night. Having had a quick check of the pads I have to say it looks like there is plenty of wear left on them! I will hold my hands up and say I am only checking the visible side so only getting 50% of the story. I would expect them to be worn fairly evenly though. I took some pictures so I'll upload them and get your views!

One thing I did notice, the pads look yellow in colour so may in fact be yellow stuff. If so, I've certainly been happy with them. Of course, it could just be the outside of the OEM pad....

With regards to questioning the dealer... Now I've got the car back I'll start the process. I have to say I do feel a little ripped off by them! It currently has a "CPO Lim 12" warranty. I believe this is the limited pre-owned warranty which is limited to the drive train. Looking at the sticker this certainly isn't clear and it certainly wasn't explained to me at the time of purchase. I was under the impression it had full warranty for 1 year as it was one of things I asked for in negotiations. To be honest, there were a number of delays in getting the car to me and there were things not done which were promised when it did arrive. I'll stop before I start to rant!

 

[BJL]

Time to name and shame??????????????

 

[zoros]

You owe it to the rest of us to certainly name and shame. Get the magnifying glass out and read the fine print of the warranty. Ask for the old parts back and get an independent assessment. £4k - they saw you coming!

I got the car back last night. Having had a quick check of the pads I have to say it looks like there is plenty of wear left on them! I will hold my hands up and say I am only checking the visible side so only getting 50% of the story. I would expect them to be worn fairly evenly though. I took some pictures so I'll upload them and get your views!

One thing I did notice, the pads look yellow in colour so may in fact be yellow stuff. If so, I've certainly been happy with them. Of course, it could just be the outside of the OEM pad....

With regards to questioning the dealer... Now I've got the car back I'll start the process. I have to say I do feel a little ripped off by them! It currently has a "CPO Lim 12" warranty. I believe this is the limited pre-owned warranty which is limited to the drive train. Looking at the sticker this certainly isn't clear and it certainly wasn't explained to me at the time of purchase. I was under the impression it had full warranty for 1 year as it was one of things I asked for in negotiations. To be honest, there were a number of delays in getting the car to me and there were things not done which were promised when it did arrive. I'll stop before I start to rant!

 

[PJZ]

Hey guys.

Sorry for lack of response on this. I've had some work commitments so everything was put on hold.

I am now chasing this up with the dealer once again. I am certainly happy to tell everybody the dealer name and the outcome. I have confirmed this morning through sales that all their cars should have full manufacturer warranty for 1 year. The servicing department are saying there is definitely only limited (drive-train) coverage on the car.

Fingers crossed it's just a documentation problem.

 

[PJZ]

Actually, maybe you guys can help me out with a couple of questions...

How much many miles would you expect to get from discs and pads on the GTS? What about tyres?

These obviously aren't warranty issues but I am just trying to establish whether the car was given to me with breaks and tyres which probably should have also been replaced prior to handover.

 

[hodroyd]

Don't know about the GTS, don't have one, but tyres you should expect 25K and discs maybe the same, pads is relative as are the other bits as to how you drive the car..??

 

[bigbob]

Actually, maybe you guys can help me out with a couple of questions...

How much many miles would you expect to get from discs and pads on the GTS? What about tyres?

These obviously aren't warranty issues but I am just trying to establish whether the car was given to me with breaks and tyres which probably should have also been replaced prior to handover.

The pads on my car are about half worn after 25,000 miles. As for tyres, the rears only last about 7,000 miles in my experience and the fronts last a reasonable while (at least double) but tend to go on the inside edges due to the suspension set up of these cars.

Regarding the warranty, how old was the car when it was retailed? When these cars get over five years old then the extended warranty only covers the drivetrain whereas the four & five year extended warranty (which I have just bought) is meant to be as good as the three year factory one.

 

[PJZ]

Hi Bob, Hodroyd,

Appreciate the info. Very interesting what you say about the inside edge of the tyres being worn. This was one of the things raised by the servicing department but I was told it was due to the suspension bushes and springs needing to be replaced.

Regarding driving style, I live in a village so most of my mileage is clocked on the same few routes I take regularly and typically only at weekends. These consist of long & straight country single/dual carriage ways with limited braking required. I'd say I accelerate quickly but brake slowly...I'm really not one for stressing the brakes and not one to speed up to people and brake heavily once up their backsides.

Anyway, I put the car in for MOT today and it passed without issue. Afterwards, I mentioned that I'd been told the brakes need replacing and to quote the guy he just said "Nah, there's loads of life left on them".

The car is July 09 (with 37k on the clock) so just under the 5 years. Servicing have confirmed their records show it only has limited warranty. They are trying to speak to the sales manager to clarify the situation. For the record I've been waiting for a call back from the sales manager since lunch time and heard nothing.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Robert...if your style of driving make your tyres last 25k, then you must be an expert of car control.

In the first years of ownership of the 4200, tyres would last 20k km. Now, i drive her fast on roads with corners one after another, i truly cannot make more than 10k. Things get dangerous after this.

 

[bigbob]

The tyre wear on the inside fronts could be many things but it is common even if the cars are ok. Same with many other heay performance cars. Strange that a main dealer would sell a car at c4 years old with a limited warranty.

 

[alfatwo]

The tyre wear on the inside fronts could be many things but it is common even if the cars are ok. Same with many other heay performance cars. Strange that a main dealer would sell a car at c4 years old with a limited warranty.

It's usually down to too much toe out on the front wheels.....It makes the car feel artificially sharp on turn in and in next to no time completely ruins your expensive front tyres!

Dave