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Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB)

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39K views 92 replies 35 participants last post by  Alex-Macan  
#1 ·
Debating this - sounds intriguing. But in reality durability is still a bit of an unknown.

Would appreciate currents thoughts and any direct insight. But build locks in a few days.
TIA
 
#5 ·
Agree. Why not chose Premium Package Plus? It will save you $530.
 
#18 ·
The only thing I don't like about my turbo is the PSCB solely based on replacement cost. If I'd done a GTS I would have skipped them. They look great, but will be a pointless painful replacement expense if I keep the car long enough. It's just silly money for the same performance, 30% more rotor life, and little brake dust vs standard brakes. If they were double the price to replace vs standard maybe I'd be a bigger fan just for the cool factor of them. Even if you weren't going to keep the car long enough to ever have to replace them I don't see justification for the up front cost. It's the same reason I skip PCCB on sports cars. Looks great, but a ticking time bomb for maintenance down the road.
 
#23 · (Edited)
The PSCB wasn’t available when I built my 2018 Macan Turbo w/PP but if it had been I’m sure I would have selected that option. Interesting info here:


the end of the article states there is roughly half the Brake fade from a 1,200 F PSCB than the regular iron system for a third the cost of a PCCB System. If I were tracking my vehicle that’s the brake system I’d choose.

Living in the southeast I definitely like the no rust aspect. I also like the 90% reduction in brake dust.

A couple of thoughts:
1. If the thickness of the coating is only .1mm (each side) does Porsche suggest the rotors be changed after a new rotor is worn .2mm?

2. If the minimum thickness of a standard iron rotor allows for more than .2mm wear from new then in theory can one assume standard iron brake performance after the initial .2mm wear down to the minimum thickness? If so, will the TU-Carbide compatible pads still work well enough or could one change only the pads (to standard iron rotor brake pads) and continue to use the TU-Carbide rotors until the minimum iron rotor thickness?

3. Since the front PSCB rotors on the 2021 Macan Turbo are 390 mm in diameter and my 2018 front iron brakes are 390 mm when my first brake job comes due can I retrofit my front brakes with PSCBs? From what I can get from the internet both systems use the same 6 piston calipers for the fronts?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.
 
#24 · (Edited)
3. Since the front PSCB rotors on the 2021 Macan Turbo are 390 mm in diameter and my 2018 front iron brakes are 390 mm when my first brake job comes due can I retrofit my front brakes with PSCBs? From what I can get from the internet both systems use the same 6 piston calipers for the fronts?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.
I’m resurrecting an old thread as I’ve been trying to find answers to the same question.

The only brake parts listed on suncoast for a 20 turbo are the expensive PSCB’s. Be interesting to know if anyone has swapped back to iron.

FWIW, I did find the brakes grabby for a short while but got used to them. The lack of dust is awesome, but its a high price to pay.

Before researching what PSCB brakes were (I’m new to Porsche), I was wondering why the rotors were always so shiny.
 
#25 ·
The grabbiness has definitely gotten better over time, partially apparently due to wear-in (5K miles so far), partially because I realized that cleaning the rotors helps a great deal. This can be done at a car wash or by intentionally dragging the brakes under power every so often.

The pedal feel is fantastic when the PSCBs are hot and clean. Otherwise, it's not awesome, but not terrible either. Be interesting to see how long they last in the real world. I can usually do 50K+ miles on the factory brakes and rotors, but we'll see.
 
#26 ·
Can anyone please provide feedback regarding the option of installing the Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) system on the Macan S.
Is it worth the extra money? Is there enhanced braking capability? Is there a significant reduction in brake dust and brake pad deterioration?
I am considering adding it to my ordered configuration in the event that the braking improvements are evident.
I've read the hype, but interested to know the reality.
 
#37 ·
With states like CA working hard to reduce emissions and particles, including brake dust, I can see them as being a step towards the future of brake technology. CA forced pad manufactures to reduce the amount of copper in brake pads, because the dust in getting into the water supply. But today with 3 years of drought and intense Almond and Alfalfa farming, water is not abundant here anymore. Had to throw that in :)

I would imagine that the pads wear the same, but the rotors last much longer. I think the average daily driver changes the brakes around every 20K miles, so 26K miles might be the target for PSCB.

I wouldn't mind having them on my GTS, but it would have to be more affordable. I can't make an argument for getting the option or not, purely up to you.
 
#29 ·
Reduced brake dust? Absolutely. I don’t know how that works but it’s drastically reduced. Now, when they wear down what will happen? Dunno, but probably going to cost a bunch to replace.
 
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#30 ·
I did not get them because I wasn't convinced they were worth the cost. Also because tracking my SUV seemed like an exercise in frustration. I'm sure it might be fun but I've tracked enough sports cars that were made for it.
As for brake dust, my stock wheels were ceramic coated along with the rest of the car and they are super easy to clean.
 
#31 ·
As for brake dust, my stock wheels were ceramic coated along with the rest of the car and they are super easy to clean.
They may be easier to clean, but they still get dirtier much faster.
 
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#34 · (Edited)
... especially the part about replacement costs.

I certainly hope the pricing on PSCB replacement comes down as the uptake increases. They're standard on the GTS so either pricing will come down or an aftermarket cast iron replacement option will become available. There will be far too many cars out there with PSCBs for the 11k parts costs to remain the same.
 
#35 ·
Brembo had already announced they were making replacement tungsten carbide coated rotors so whenever the time comes to replace, one won't be restricted to paying full Porsche pricing. But to add them to a S, I would not. No harm in overkilling it on brakes other than to your wallet but it's not like the standard brakes on the S are inadequate.
 
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#45 ·
Since I have owned 5 of these Macan's I wanted to share a comparison of the steel brakes Vs the PSCB . The first two Macans were Turbo with PTV and steel . The third was a GTS , no PTV, and steel . The 4th was GTS with PTV and steel. The current is Turbo with no PTV and PSCB . All. cars are driven city and highway 50/50 although the highway can be stop and go I rush hour. . Wife is primary driver of all Macans .

1) The most wear and tear - steel and PTV had the most wear and highest cost . It shocked me (and the service advisor) that the rear brakes wore before the front in those first two cars . Keep in mind my first car was one of the earliest Macans so this was new to service too. The rear pads went at nearly 15K miles . At 25K the fronts we're gone. Summer tires also lasted 15K . Steel brake maintenance was not cheap at the dealership .

2) Steel and no PTV was cheaper and gave longer brake life in city traffic . The third car was a minimal spec GTS that some might recall I picked off the lot when my second car was crashed into. It not only had no PTV . It also lacked sport chrono so there was less pedal stomping temptation . Of course I missed the gear but my wallet thanked me .

3) PSCB and no PTV have already earned their premium . I am at 24K miles on original brakes and still going . The tires are still wearing at identical pace to the previous cars but not the brakes . I do feel a lot of people don't factor in that cost when building a current S that costs almost as much as a GTS where the PSCB are standard . Since I have not replaced anything yet I never asked the cost but did ask on the PCCB and was told that routine maintenance is cheaper . The huge expense with PCCB is a stone in the wheel well causing a 10K damage . Although rare it can happen . PCCB are no longer available on Macan but they were and my guess is that many owners are still on originals . I have yet to hear of large PSCB expenses .

Conclusion -- Both the steel and the PSCB are great brakes . One of the earlier complaints of PSCB was that they are "grabby" but it is my understanding that the new car is smoother . I also feel that both PSCB and PCCB are not the same brakes as steel and anyone buying them ought to be ready to adjust to a brake pedal feel . PSCB last LONGER! There is just no debate on its longevity . That 3500 premium to buy then has already paid itself at 24K miles and delivered improved performance . If I really traded my car today I would hand over a key with a zero cost brake maintenance .
 
#59 ·
Thanks for sharing this helpful analysis. Very reassuring that these doomsday PSCB maintenance stories can be ignored. What still is a mystery to me is this penny-store PTV+ system Porsche is selling for big money. All manufacturers have LSD systems that work great. And Macans get this outdated, brake-based PTV that cost a lot and wears the brakes (double business). Should Porsche not keep up with Audi, BMW and all others?
 
#46 ·
$3500 premium for PSCB?!? YIKES!!!

My 2015 Macan Turbo (with PTV+), bought with just under 14K miles, has fewer than 50K miles on it. I changed the rear pads at ~35K, disks were fine. I have
front pads I bought a couple of years ago waiting for the signal from the Macan and the front disks are also showing little signs of wear - just barely a lip at the edge.

I'm doing the brake servicing on it myself.


I am really puzzled as to how someone managed to wear out rear pads at 15K miles (driving with the parking brake engaged?!?) - and front pads at only 25K miles.
That would seem to indicate a lot of hard braking - but for mostly city driving?


As they say, YMMV...
 
#47 ·
My 2018 GTS has steel and PTV+. I changed the pads out at 20K miles not because I needed to but because I wanted a lower dusting ceramic based pad. There was PLENTY of meat left on the stock pads, so much so that the shop asked me if I for sure didn't want them back. And my rotors were essentially new. Powerstop pads, installation, and brake fluid flush was all under $1000.

Brakes are definitely a YMMV thing.
 
#48 ·
Agree on the mileage variance. I am not the driver of the car. But the same driver applied to all of the cars. Her route to work before she went remote was in congested city traffic and rush-hour highway. Our leisure drives however were more open Road but they were less than the grueling city drives.

In contrast all of my personal cars which are different models are all on original brakes. I have never replace the brakes on any of my cars. 30,000 miles on a Boxster in that car still had originals. 50,000 miles on my previous 911 and that was originals. It’s not as if I didn’t drive them. They are different cars though.
 
#53 ·
This post on another thread quotes a staggering cost for PSCB maintenance, $11k in parts alone vs $2300 for steel, and supposedly only offer 30% more life. Note he's talking about cayenne brakes, not macan.

 
#54 ·
I saw those ridiculous posts. It’s looking up every single part of the brake system rather than repairing the brake system.
The Macan Turbo has had them since 2020. Likewise it’s been an option on the S and I believe it’s even an option on the Macan T . How many $11,000 repairs have you seen occur on this forum? Zero! If there was such a repair and expense it would appear here in mass numbers.
 
#55 ·
I want to add to the above regarding the $11,000 posts. If one were to take any item on the car and order it individually from Suncoast it’s going to cost much more than ordering it on the car. For instance sport bucket seats would be very expensive. So would OEM wheels. They are more expensive then if you order the car with them . If one were to take the entire break system it would be very expensive. After all it cost $3500 just to add them to Macan S. So it will be expected did a complete replacement would be ex more than that. In 2008 I did a steel brake upgrade to my 911 and it cost $9000 then. It was a complete break system plus labor which was at that time $100 an hour instead of 260 which is today.

I don’t think you can evaluate the cost of a catastrophic tragedy with the car as a real concern with any item. Of course it can happen. Depending upon how it happens some auto insurance might even cover it. It’s extreme.
 
#58 · (Edited)
Reading between the lines, it seems like every naysayer is quoting X cost vs X life for the whole brake system (pads and rotors, some even include calipers), yet every reference to this "30% longer life" is talking about pad life. I haven't yet seen an expected rotor life, let alone caliper life.

(Edit: 30% increase is rotor life not pad)

In any case, as the adoption rate is drastically increasing because they come with the new GTS, this technology is moving from innovation / early adoption phase and eventually to the majority adoption phases. Any real world service costs will come down, from innovator pricing (comparatively high prices) to majority pricing (comparatively low prices).