A true comparison between regular pads and CarboTechs....
So my Roadster's @ Menlo Park getting serviced and Tesla was kind enough after some good clear communication exchanges reserved me Roadster #924, a silver 2.0 with a pure black interior which is a pure pristine beauty with only 4.5k+ miles. I totally thank Tesla for keeping the driving experience going for sure...
One thing I have to say after having the CarboTech brakes installed is to give yourself plenty of space for braking if you borrow, test drive, or plan to drive another Roadster without the CT pads. When I dropped off my 1.5 I took the coast HWY 1 up north from Santa Cruz, I cut over at Woodside road which is known for its tight twisties. I was hammering and pushing my Roadster hard and late braking into pin-cornered turns. The brakes combined with the native regenerative braking worked together like a choreographed duet. Never once did I feel any fade or fear I couldn't stop. I even had to make a fast pass and hard brake into a tight corner for a pickup that was lanking around..., everything worked well together even the suspension to some part, but an adjustable would be key. Then jumping into a Roadster with stock Brembo's was night and day... actually dangerous. You can't do fast sprints and hard stops... its just does not feel safe anymore... Even in regular stop and go traffic I knew the stock Roadster would fade on me when I really needed to stop.
Can't wait to get my stopping shoes back, definite confidence there where its needed. Also wild comparing the 1.5 vs. the 2.0, its a fun little analysis. The seats are definitely higher in the 2.0. For me it doesn't fit as comfortable since I'm 6.0' tall. However the seats definitely grip your body more which can be good for sporting around and cornering but I don't know if I'd like that for longer drives as compared to the looser feel of the 1.5. I put in a CG seat belt tensioner which cinches me down fine for the turns (
CG-Lock) The 2.0 higher seats however do make it easier to enter and exit the Roadster cockpit. I didn't feel that drop I usually do when getting in my 1.5 where I brace the tub firmly each time. The suspension on the 2.0 feels more cushy or floaty than my 1.5 (that could be just me and the higher vantage point from the seating), as for torque, there also seems like there's subtle power range differences.... Would like to look at graphs on that. There are just certain tourqe / speed ranges that one seems more sprintyer than the other and it flip flops back. The 2.0 is way quieter while driving, the 1.5 has a turbo motor wine. When sitting... the 1.5 has a more tolerable water pump tone than the 2.0... the 2.0 sounds higher pitched.... It sounds as if its running at a higher RPM which may circulate the water faster. Could also be a different mfg of the pump.... but sound more like faster revolutions.
But back to the braking... I'd suggest Tesla to actually switch to CarboTech's in their loaners and anyone who loves their Tesla. Also it would be nice to see if CarboTech can make a pad for the Model-S and X down the road. Don't know if the Model-S's braking can be improved upon... have to take one out and push it one of these days to feel it out. But ultimately CT Pads are a definitely good product that works perfectly with the Roadster. One thing for sure is that Braking can never be overrated.
