I have a 2000 XKR with standard brakes and was wondering if anyone has done an upgrade. Car feels unsafe at extremely excessive speeds.

 

There are a few threads with a lot of detail. Google this to search this forum only. Alternative is to buy a pre-made kit from welsh.

Speaking in broad brush generalities, the standard brakes should be able to safely stop you from any speed on street tires. Once or twice. If this is not happening for you, you need to fix whatever is wrong/worn out in your brakes, suspension and tire setup.

A big brakes kit will let you do this repeatedly, like in a race track situation.

 

could you define "extremely excessive speeds." ? ? ?


I can tell you from experience that that stock brakes the improved pads (ebc redstuff, in my case) will stop the car from 100+ mph quite a few times in close succession without drama or fading. If your brakes can't do that, then some serious maintenance is in order.

Now if you are repeatedly stopping from 155 mph and experiencing some brake fade, that's to be expected with the stock ATE brakes.

Yes, upgraded systems are an improvement, but unless you are on a race track, they aren't a must have.


Z

 

Thanks for that info.

I can't get the car above 110mph without feeling unsafe. Got an XJ 5.0L and there's no comparison but I accept that.

I had the brakes tested aged ago just and routine and the main dealer changed the brake fluid for me as part of a vehicle check.

I was chatting with someone yesterday who said the Brembo upgrade ain't worth it as not much better and I should change my discs and pads as the discs are the original ones and when I had new pads fitted they grinded the lip off the discs, so look a bit of a mess anyway. Looking back now I would have rather the garage say I need new discs but because they know that I don't use the car that much they thought they were doing me a favour.

 

Do you mean braking from 110+ or that the car feels unsafe at that speed?

 

Your energy might be better spent on refreshing the suspension all around, then. This car should feel solid way past these speeds. Start with the usual front end stuff (upper mounts, lower shock bushing for starters), but the rear end has wear components as well. Worn wheel bearings are not unheard of. A refresh like this is not terribly expensive in parts, but there is definitely labor involved. alignment and tire conditions also factor in of course.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

Yes it's just braking. Car handles pretty well

 

But is it the amount of retardation that you are concerned about, or that the car feels unstable under braking. The former is a braking issue, the latter is suspension, tyres, etc.

 

Not to mension bushings. Sloppy bushings makes the car wobble and rattle during hard braking