Carbon Ceramic vs. Steel Brakes

You probably have the California T and what I can report is about my Cali which is the aspirated version but I believe there won't be a noticeable difference.

You have to get use to the ceramic brakes because normally they squish more than the steel ones and when they are cold sometimes you get the feeling that the car isn't going to stop, but it ends up stoping. I've tested my Cali's breaks several times at very high speeds and they're absolutely amazing because they really can make the car stop in a much shorter distance than any sports car that I'v driven with steel brakes. I remember the first time I pushed my Cali hard in a motorway straight and I was doing around 280 Km/hour and 100 meters ahead a car changes to my lane and I just had time to hit the brakes. I was so impressed with the effectiveness of the ceramic brakes at this speed and I hardly could believe they've halted the car in such a short distance but they did.

I think you will get used to the ceramic brakes as you get accustomed to the Cali and soon will see them as a great tool.

 

I have a California T. The brakes are almost too touchy. The breaks have only been soft after cleaning. Everything in the car works better after its warmed up. Brakes respond better after they are warm. Also downshift a lot to brake.

I would suggest taking the car somewhere you can accelerate and brake had a few times. Get a feel for the car. I think you will notice a huge difference after the engine, tires and brakes are warmed up.

 

there are quite a few threads on the behavior of the ceramics on the street car....worth a search

a few high points...

The CCM's are great, but are very sensitive to how the brake pads are bedded. If bedded properly, the initial bite is better and overall stopping performance is better.

CCM's also work well/require heat....while "warming up the brakes" on a street car is not practical, when the brakes are applied, they tend to require a bit of heat (i.e. a few rotations of the wheels) to feel like they are working

Ferrari's current brake system does leave something to be desired in "feel"; good bedding and a fresh brake bleed can help it, but I personally prefer a firmer pedal. Also, seems like the Ferrari's require a bit more brake pedal pressure than other cars for the same braking effect (whereas our Porsche seems to create enough hydraulic pressure to lift a building).

You might consider a brake bleed (may be overkill), and you can try and bed (or, re-bed) your pads by following the process.

 

Rockman, they should not feel squishy. I'd have the dealer do a full bleed ... however one of the problems is that potentially they were never broken in. I'm on Cali #3, have a T now, and like was said earlier they are VERY sensitive! Try doing a 'cleaning' by taking it up to 60 or 80 mph and standing on them HARD, into the ABS. Twice is OK. Eventually if you don't drive her hard they will start to squeak & squeal. This procedure will get read of the squeal as well.

If you replace the pads there is a MULTIPLE stop procedure in the Ferrari maintenance book that starts off at very slow speeds with multiple stops, then a cooling off period followed by more stops at higher speeds, etc. because when brand new the pads almost don't work. I wonder if this is part of your problem. If it is a few high speed stops with hard brake pressure will help right away. You will notice though that when the pads & rotors get real hot it takes a bit more to stop. That quickly goes away. My FF is exactly the same except the brakes are not nearly as sensitive, same as the earlier Cali's.

 

The '12 Cali the brakes should be perfect. I had a '10 and '12 and they were wonderful. I had to replace the pads on the '10 after 2.5 total hours on the Mid-Ohio race track, making 140 mph by the end of the long straight after a few 30 minute practice sessions. The brakes otherwise don't hardly wear. And you certainly should not have a soft peddle! But, again, after the brake pad swap the peddle was not soft, just very ineffective until doing the multiple stop procedure to wear them in. Good luck! The Cali in any year is an amazing car.

 

I purposely slam on my brakes whenever I get the chance on my country road drives to keep them working smoothly. Just stand on them so hard the ABS kicks in. The brakes in my Cali30 really bites. I also do left-foot braking which IMO tends to result in higher foot pressures, because the same foot is never used on the gas pedal, which requires a much lighter touch.

 

Rockman, I noticed the same problem with several different California's while I was test driving cars in my search to purchase--mine included. The dealer re-bedded the brakes before I purchased the car and everything has been fine since. It made a BIG difference in brake feel and stopping ability.

 

What he said, re bed the brakes and you will be happy. It's something you can do yourself on a lazy Sunday morning on a quite road.

 

Make sure the road does not have a re-tar and stone application on it . The Cali will peal up the tar and stone and spray it all over your car. Ask me how I know