The new E-Ray’s carbon ceramic brakes could cost more to replace than buying a complete Chevrolet Cruze. Skipping the carbon ceramic brakes option saves you an original $8,500, and that’s just the start of your cost savings.
These high-performance brakes come with a shocking $15,000 replacement cost. They might last only 8 days under heavy track use. The story takes an interesting turn back to 1965. Chevrolet’s “Disk brake delete” option for Corvettes saved buyers $64.50 back then. The modern E-Ray’s standard package includes carbon ceramic brakes, which makes many car enthusiasts consider other braking options.
This piece will help you decide if carbon ceramic brakes are worth it for your E-Ray. We’ll get into the actual costs and guide you through your brake options to make a smart choice.
Understanding Carbon Ceramic Brake Costs
Carbon ceramic brake production demands precision and time. A single rotor takes up to 20 days to manufacture. This time-consuming process makes them quite expensive.
Your vehicle’s price jumps by about $8,500 when you opt for carbon ceramic brakes. The replacement costs might shock you – a complete set of rotors and pads can run over $20,000. The specialized materials and complex manufacturing process drive these high costs.
These brakes offer some impressive benefits:
- They last 5 times longer than iron rotors
- Normal driving conditions yield up to 150,000 miles of use
- You get boosted heat handling and reduced weight
Some manufacturers have started offering reconditioning services as an alternative to full replacement. They rebuild the friction layer between brake pads and rotors at a much lower cost. Proper maintenance is vital – using the wrong wheel cleaning products or damaging the rotors during wheel changes could force an early replacement.
Carbon ceramic brakes usually last beyond 100,000 miles in regular daily use. The most important investment might seem steep at first, but drivers keeping their vehicles long-term often find the extended lifespan worth the cost.
Pros and Cons of Carbon Ceramic Brakes
Let’s get into what makes carbon ceramic brakes so special and sometimes tricky for E-Ray owners. These high-tech brakes are a great way to get advantages, especially since they weigh nowhere near as much as traditional iron brakes – about 60% lighter.
Here are the key benefits of carbon ceramic brakes:
- Exceptional longevity – up to 200,000 miles under normal street use
- Minimal brake dust production
- Superior resistance to warping and deformation
- Complete immunity to rust and corrosion
These brakes come with their share of challenges though. Track enthusiasts should know that these brakes can degrade under extreme heat. High temperatures can erode the surface coating and create rough spots on the disk face.
The brakes also behave differently in everyday driving. They’re not as responsive in cold weather and might need more time to grab in wet conditions. Most drivers need some time to adjust to the brake pedal’s different feel compared to regular brakes.
While these brakes handle heat well for the E-Ray’s electric motor control system, track day enthusiasts might want to think over other options. Porsche’s technicians often suggest iron brakes for regular track use, and this advice might apply to the E-Ray too.
Your driving style and plans will help you make the right choice. Carbon ceramics work great for street driving. However, if you’re hitting the track often, traditional iron brakes might be more affordable and practical over time.
Alternative Brake Options
Track enthusiasts and budget-minded drivers have several compelling alternatives to standard carbon ceramic brakes. Wilwood makes customizable brake packages that work with stock suspension systems. We designed these packages for high-performance driving, and they work great for both drag racing and road racing.
Two-piece iron rotors are a budget-friendly option at $350. These rotors come with 72 curved vanes that work like a centrifugal pump and pull air through the hub to cool things down quickly. Here’s what makes the two-piece design so great:
- Better heat dissipation
- Less weight overall
- You can replace just the rotor rings
- Holds up better on the track
- Cheaper to maintain
Here’s something track drivers should know – you can resurface two-piece iron rotors when they wear down. Carbon ceramics need complete replacement instead. This means big savings over time, since carbon ceramic rotors might only last 8 days on the track.
Many performance shops now give E-Ray owners direct replacement options. These alternatives work with your factory calipers while giving you race-ready performance. The rotors are made from high-carbon iron that meets specific requirements. You get optimal performance without the huge replacement costs that come with carbon ceramics.
Conclusion
E-Ray owners can save a lot of money by making smart choices about brake options while getting excellent performance. Carbon ceramic brakes last longer for street driving, but their high upfront cost and expensive replacements make them impractical for track enthusiasts.
Two-piece iron rotors are a great alternative that makes sense, especially given their reasonable price and easy servicing. These rotors give you excellent performance without the sky-high replacement costs you’d face with carbon ceramics.
Your driving habits and intended use should guide your E-Ray order. Street-only drivers might like carbon ceramics’ long life and low maintenance needs. But track enthusiasts will get better value from traditional iron brake setups that deliver similar performance at a much lower lifetime cost.
Note that today’s E-Ray owners can make smart choices that balance performance needs with practical concerns, just like Corvette buyers did in 1965 when they picked their brake options. The right brake setup will give a driving experience that matches what you want while saving you money.
FAQs
Q1. Are carbon ceramic brakes worth the extra cost for the E-Ray? Carbon ceramic brakes offer benefits like longevity and reduced brake dust, but their high initial cost and expensive replacements may not be worth it for all drivers, especially those who frequently use their vehicle on the track.
Q2. How long do carbon ceramic brakes typically last on the E-Ray? Under normal street driving conditions, carbon ceramic brakes can last up to 200,000 miles. However, their lifespan can be significantly reduced under heavy track use, potentially lasting only about 8 days.
Q3. What are the alternatives to carbon ceramic brakes for the E-Ray? Two-piece iron rotors are a popular alternative, offering good performance at a fraction of the cost. They provide enhanced heat dissipation, weight reduction, and can be resurfaced rather than replaced entirely.
Q4. How much can I save by opting out of carbon ceramic brakes on the E-Ray? By choosing not to include carbon ceramic brakes, you can save an initial $8,500 on the purchase price. Additionally, you’ll avoid potential replacement costs of over $20,000 for a complete set of rotors and pads.
Q5. Do carbon ceramic brakes perform well in all driving conditions? While carbon ceramic brakes excel in many situations, they can feel less responsive when cold and may take longer to engage in rainy conditions. They also tend to degrade when subjected to extreme heat, which can be an issue during intense track use.