Performance package first drive review

[NLS8520]

Car and Driver BRZ PP Review.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review

[Mr.Impreza]

Originally Posted by NLS8520

Car and Driver BRZ PP Review.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review

For me, the Performance Package enhances an already great chassis.

Tires are not that expensive and are maintenance. Once the stock ones run out you can upgrade to a better set.

Power can also be improved easily and is a fun journey if you decide to go on it. However the car has plenty out of the factory. My Fit overtakes cars no problem on the highway with 100Hp....so people need to seriously stop complaining about power on his car. Which they won't obviously. Nor do they ever stop complaining that the STI doesn't have enough with 305hp

They added what most tuners don't. Better brakes. So I think they made the right decision. They are offering an even better car now for someone who just wants to enjoy it since a lot of people who tracked the car said that the brakes could be better from what I remember.

I know as a daily driver, it won't really benefit many people....but this is the PP....not the standard model. People who are buying the PP are most likely those who are more driver focused or track oriented.

[Psilox]

Originally Posted by Mr.Impreza

For me, the Performance Package enhances an already great chassis.

Tires are not that expensive and are maintenance. Once the stock ones run out you can upgrade to a better set.

Power can also be improved easily and is a fun journey if you decide to go on it. However the car has plenty out of the factory. My Fit overtakes cars no problem on the highway with 100Hp....so people need to seriously stop complaining about power on his car. Which they won't obviously. Nor do they ever stop complaining that the STI doesn't have enough with 305hp

They added what most tuners don't. Better brakes. So I think they made the right decision. They are offering an even better car now for someone who just wants to enjoy it since a lot of people who tracked the car said that the brakes could be better from what I remember.

I know as a daily driver, it won't really benefit many people....but this is the PP....not the standard model. People who are buying the PP are most likely those who are more driver focused or track oriented.

Well I for one am even more glad I'm getting mine with the PP. I've heard from multiple reviews that it also improves ride quality in addition to brake feel, so very happy with that.

You're right though, I don't think anything could stop people from complaining about paper specs--for a car that was Jezza's car of the year in addition to winning numerous other awards. It's almost as though most of the commenters haven't driven one...

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[gtengr]

Originally Posted by Mr.Impreza

For me, the Performance Package enhances an already great chassis.

Tires are not that expensive and are maintenance. Once the stock ones run out you can upgrade to a better set.

Power can also be improved easily and is a fun journey if you decide to go on it. However the car has plenty out of the factory. My Fit overtakes cars no problem on the highway with 100Hp....so people need to seriously stop complaining about power on his car. Which they won't obviously. Nor do they ever stop complaining that the STI doesn't have enough with 305hp

They added what most tuners don't. Better brakes. So I think they made the right decision. They are offering an even better car now for someone who just wants to enjoy it since a lot of people who tracked the car said that the brakes could be better from what I remember.

The car doesn't really need better brakes though precisely because it's slow and under-tired. Brake upgrades are most effective with wider, stickier tires, repeated high speed stops, and with heavier cars. The 86 is the opposite of all of those things: narrow tires, lower top speed on the straights because of low power, and less kinetic energy transfer required during heavy braking because of its low curb weight and lower speeds. They're mostly an aesthetic mod that adds considerable brake weight and aren't the same as an aftermarket Brembo or similar quality BBK. They do look great though and are cost effective for the aesthetic effect.

[~el~jefe~]

Originally Posted by gtengr

The car doesn't really need better brakes though precisely because it's slow and under-tired. Brake upgrades are most effective with wider, stickier tires, repeated high speed stops, and with heavier cars. The 86 is the opposite of all of those things: narrow tires, lower top speed on the straights because of low power, and less kinetic energy transfer required during heavy braking because of its low curb weight and lower speeds. They're mostly an aesthetic mod that adds considerable brake weight and aren't the same as an aftermarket Brembo or similar quality BBK. They do look great though and are cost effective for the aesthetic effect.

I must scientifically decline to agree here. Both in implications, and real world usage.
1. hp/tq of a car and mentioning this with Upgraded brakes is nonsensical. When you are braking, there is no power to the wheels as you are removing your foot off the gas. The weight of the car is the only factor, and then direction, if it needs to brake on a curve and has bad center of gravity or weight distribution.
2. Braking at high speeds with normal brakes can cause brake fade ON THE FIRST BRAKING. Yes, you can overheat brakes in one shot. If you are driving at 110mph on a straightaway feeling badass, then realize you must brake, your brakes will nearly ignite if you press them hard.
3. 2800 lbs is not a lightweight car. 300 lbs more and you have a camry at 191 inches in length.
4. No one will re-purchase the expensive summer low rolling resistance stock tires again. Any consideration to a good consumer reports or forum tested/tirerack tested tire will mean that owners will have very good gripping tires. To not first buy a cheap cheap cheap upgrade that costs thousands normally means that when you do get great tires in a year or two maximum, you will wish you had better brakes.
5. A hill. I know people forget that they exist, but the do. A hill will scorch a brake fast, reducing the consistency of its braking distance. Keeping a car in low gear will eventually red line. If you want to go down a mountain at 22mph, maybe not then. People brake often on a hill, and if you are new to a location, you will be braking a lot not knowing the turns. Then when you have to stomp on brakes in emergency, your brakes are heated.
6. instead of testing such brake fade in all conditions and reading 1000's of forum posts and test sites like Car and Driver to glean information, simply having upgraded rotors and calipers designed for no brake fade will take one's mind off worrying about the brakes fading. It is very important to know what the car will do in an emergency procedure condition. To wonder if your stopping distance is 4-6 ft less due them heating up, is to not know what the car will do.

[gtengr]

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

1. hp/tq of a car and mentioning this with Upgraded brakes is nonsensical. When you are braking, there is no power to the wheels as you are removing your foot off the gas. The weight of the car is the only factor, and then direction, if it needs to brake on a curve and has bad center of gravity or weight distribution.

Horsepower determines how fast you're going at the end of straight. Kinetic energy is a function of velocity squared.

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

2. Braking at high speeds with normal brakes can cause brake fade ON THE FIRST BRAKING. Yes, you can overheat brakes in one shot. If you are driving at 110mph on a straightaway feeling badass, then realize you must brake, your brakes will nearly ignite if you press them hard.

It's not a good idea to be driving that way without good brake pads and fluid.

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

3. 2800 lbs is not a lightweight car. 300 lbs more and you have a camry at 191 inches in length.

2800 is lightweight for a RWD street car. The BRZ is a lighter than a Cayman, 991, M2, etc. Compared to pretty much anything but a Miata, Lotus, or racecar it is light.

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

4. No one will re-purchase the expensive summer low rolling resistance stock tires again. Any consideration to a good consumer reports or forum tested/tirerack tested tire will mean that owners will have very good gripping tires. To not first buy a cheap cheap cheap upgrade that costs thousands normally means that when you do get great tires in a year or two maximum, you will wish you had better brakes.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

5. A hill. I know people forget that they exist, but the do. A hill will scorch a brake fast, reducing the consistency of its braking distance. Keeping a car in low gear will eventually red line. If you want to go down a mountain at 22mph, maybe not then. People brake often on a hill, and if you are new to a location, you will be braking a lot not knowing the turns. Then when you have to stomp on brakes in emergency, your brakes are heated.

The BBK has more heat capacity, but I wouldn't be using a street brake pad or fluid for that type of driving. A BBK doesn't make you invincible and can still fade rather quickly if you use a street pad and fluid. I'm not positive that's the case on this car because it's slow and light, but I have experienced fade with OEM Brembo's on other cars.

I don't mean to rag on the kit, just wanting to point out that it adds weight, it is generally accepted that a rear BBK isn't necessary on this car, and the aftermarket stuff is better and lighter than stock, whereas this is a weight gain.

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

6. instead of testing such brake fade in all conditions and reading 1000's of forum posts and test sites like Car and Driver to glean information, simply having upgraded rotors and calipers designed for no brake fade will take one's mind off worrying about the brakes fading.

Pads and fluid are the primary factors with brake fade though.

I want to emphasize that I'm not saying the kit is bad, just pointing out it's not the same thing as a quality aftermarket kit. Anyone who gets heavily into tracking will probably end up replacing everything that comes with the PP except maybe the rear brakes.

[dowroa]

Originally Posted by previous

Pads and fluid are the primary factors with brake fade though.

I want to emphasize that I'm not saying the kit is bad, just pointing out it's not the same thing as a quality aftermarket kit. Anyone who gets heavily into tracking will probably end up replacing everything that comes with the PP except maybe the rear brakes.

For a car of this weight and power, I am not sure I would agree with this.

With proper cooling ducts, I can see this caliper to have less problems with spread than the stock floating caliper.

The real question I have (that I have not researched enough) is to know what pad options are available for that caliper. For example, the Brembo option on the MX5 Club fronts were expensive, forced a 17" wheel that was too narrow with more expensive tires, was slower/worse gearing, and thus not a good option to purchase.

Do these Brembo calipers on the BRZ PP have the same pad options as the STi and what are the costs? Link?

However, in general, I would think for the 7.5" wide tire (almost good enough to run 225s which I think are about all this car needs at this time), upgraded dampers, and brakes that won't spread/easier to change.... sounds like a good upgrade for 1195. And, it is factory, so thus does not change stock classing.

[~el~jefe~]

would a fluid swap on the brakes void warranty claims for brakes or connected things?

it would be 'out of spec' to use racing brake fluid i would imagine

[goldenfri]

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

would a fluid swap on the brakes void warranty claims for brakes or connected things?

it would be 'out of spec' to use racing brake fluid i would imagine

No, its a maintenance item.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ~el~jefe~

would a fluid swap on the brakes void warranty claims for brakes or connected things?

it would be 'out of spec' to use racing brake fluid i would imagine

Originally Posted by goldenfri

No, its a maintenance item.

I wouldn't be too quick to say no. If they could blame the fluid used they will. Would be OK of course if in their recommended/required scope but anything outside of that could be used against a claim.

[goldenfri]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I wouldn't be too quick to say no. If they could blame the fluid used they will. Would be OK of course if in their recommended/required scope but anything outside of that could be used against a claim.

As long as you aren't using something obvious like the banned super blue, then its very highly unlikely that they would even think you are using anything different.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by goldenfri

As long as you aren't using something obvious like the banned super blue, then its very highly unlikely that they would even think you are using anything different.

Oh no doubt. Pretty hard too tell brake fluids apart unless something weird. Just need to keep in mind that they could deny coverage if they did figure it out.

[2017-BRZ]

Do NOT like that PP wheel..I would take that extra expense and purchase good looking 18" aftermarket wheels and performance tyres instead.

I think the stock brakes and suspension is performance with comfort. Perfect driving balance. Love it.

[2017-BRZ]

Subaru SHOULD have given the STI wheel as the PP package....then it would be worth it...and the RED center caps with the BIG RED BBK calipers would look PERFECT.