I am on the way of purchasing a GT3, but have a couple of choices at the moment.
One car has the PCCB and the other has your regular red calipers. What do you guys think? My TTS at the moment has the ceramic and they are great, but not sure if I should pass on a deal that has the steele.
What do you guys think of adjustable seats compared to bucket seats?

Thanks guys in advance.

 

If you track the car a lot keep in mind that the PCCB rotors to replace all 4 are $16,000!!!!! If you only track a couple times a year and mostly just run on the street PCCB should last a long long time.

PCCB as an option does not raise the cost of the car and in a lot of sales can reduce the cost of the car due to forseeable expense as most can't and/or don't want to pay $16k for 4 rotors.

I had Bucket seats in my 2009 and loved them. Very light weight and simple seats for a everyday driver car. I seemed to sink down in the Sport seats better than the ajustable seats. I know have the Sport Bucket seats in my GTS because I use a 6 point harness.

 

I have PCCB and I agree with this advice. If you are doing DE's a few times a year, then you will be OK. If you are tracking all of the time, then I would weigh the decision. I know (after reading on this forum) that some folks have used PCCB extensively with certain pads and maintenance and swear by them. Others say bail out and go to steel. This is one of the bigger debates out there and is sure to get a multitude of opinions, but I would focus on those that have had them and what they have to say about them. I like them and will keep them on my car because I fall into the 4-5 times per year category. If I was a track junkie (and that could easily happen), then I might look for a lower cost solution after I wear these completely out!

 

If you're more of a street guy the ceramics are easier to live with.
1) They don't squeal
2) They provide almost zero brake dust

Steel are opposite in this regard..

If your a track rat it doesn't matter which car you get as you'll be replacing the stock rotors eventually anyway due to wear. There are plenty of PCCB replacement rotors that are steel that perform and last longer than the stock steel rotors.

Since you're not a die hard track guy yet, i would go with the ceramics (or whichever car is optioned more to your tastes), and if you do become a track rat you'll have no problem switching to a setup more suited for the track.

 

This is my first Porsche with ceramics, all previous had Red Lobsters. To me the ceramics are insanely sweet to brake with. No tracking on this car and they tested perfect on the PPI.

 

I'll just add a couple of points for your consideration. I have a .2 GT3 with PCCB which I track at DE days 6-7 times per year - so maybe 12 times so far since I bought it. With PCCB, you must be very careful when removing the wheels (for bleeding the brakes before/after a track day, pad changes and for cleaning). The rotors are brittle and can be easily damaged by a knock from the wheel during removal or mounting. You can take a chance and remove normally or you can buy a "wheel removal tool" from Porsche ($$$) or others which threads into the centerlock area and allows you to slide the wheel off past the rotor. The other observation is that PCCB on the street require very little brake pedal travel to slow/stop the car. This makes it next to impossible (for me anyway) to practice heel/toe on the street. On track, you really exercise the brakes so the brake pedal travel is much more and is at the ideal height for heel/toe.

I like the ceramics but the cost of replacing the rotors at some point in the future is a real concern. From what I've read, the "steel" brakes are just as awesome as the PCCB for stopping power so I'd pick the car you like for other features and take whatever brakes it has (proviso, if PCCB, hopefully car has low mileage and be sure to inspect the rotors for wear/damage.)

 

100% track - steel

75% track/25% street - steel

50% track/50% street - steel

25% track/ 75% street - steel

10% track/ 90% street - ceramic

100% street - ceramic

 

You are getting the ceramics at cents on the dollar, so get them unless track use/replacement cost due to such is an issue.

 

If you plan to track the car more than occasionally, get the bucket seats. They hold you in place much better and have pass-through holes that allow use of a harness with a roll bar (the regular sport seats do not). On the downside, the only adjustment on the bucket seats is fore/aft and large-body people may find the seats too confining. I'm a fairly small person and they fit me almost perfectly. Also it takes a bit more gymnastics to get into and out of the bucket seats, which is usually more of an issue with passengers who are not used to it than the driver.

 

I would have to say almost the opposite about the buckets. I am 5'10", 150-155 lbs, and I find sometimes I'm swimming in the seats. Odd for Euro design, but they seem to be designed for big boys.

 

Update:
Thank you guys for all your input. I decided to go with a car that has the steel brakes and has the options that I like in my cars. Ex: Nav, interior The ceramic brakes has it's advantages, but the steel seem more practical from the stand point of maintenance/use.

The car had bucket seats in the past, but supposedly a dealer had a gentleman that wanted to buy one of their cars and wanted the bucket seats to make the deal. The car now has the adjustable seats. I have it in my tts, and they are very comfortable so I'm good with those seats.

 

Have sport buckets and PCCBs on a 997.1S that's never seen a track. Bought the car used. Absolutely no regrets. If it did come down to replacement, I'd consider steel, if the PCCB replacements proved cost prohibitive.

 

Have PCCB's on my 997.1 GT3 and after about 12 DE/TT events still in great shape (smooth surface & pads at 50% or so). Bought the car used with them so I paid little for the up-grade. I figure I will go to steel when they need replacement. With PCCB's you get a great set of calipers already set-up for 380mm brakes in the front. My 2 cents....

 

I just had the opportunity to drive one of my friend's 2007 GT3 with PCCB. I do not find any difference with the PCCB. Perhaps it may be of effective use at the track since I havent gone to the track with a GT3 with PCCB... @__@ ??

 

I just want to recap what has been going on with the purchase of the GT3. I am purchasing a car from my dealer. They gave a great deal on the trade and on the car, so I couldn't pass. The car is a white 2010 GT3 with PCCB, Lift, All leather, Dynamic cornering lights, 3400 miles, XM radio, Nav, adjustable seats.
The car will be delivered this Wednesday, and can't wait to get my baby.
I chose this car over another that had the steel brakes. Your input made all the difference in the world.Thanks so much for all your helpful advice.