View Single Post       08-19-2008, 07:09 AM   #120  Drives: 2008
E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC  iTrader: (0)
It's about dollars and egos  It's about $$$$$$! Quit pretending
like it isn't. BMW is saving money. Do you get 90% of the
physics with fewer pistons? Yes. Are they just as objectively
effective in most circumstances? Yes. Does Porsche put big reds
on their turbos primarily because they recognize ego plays a
huge roll in buying a porsche? absolutely (how many porsches are
driven on the track?)  So what do you get from more
pistons/stiffer calipers? You gain the ability to modulate the
brakes more precisely at the edge of lockup (or the edge of
abs). Does this matter with street tires on the street with ABS?
Not really.  Does it matter with R-comps that generate
significantly higher friction rates and skid transitions than
most ABS systems are designed to handle? absolutely. You don't
want to be into the ABS with slicks as the car will hop around
like a teenager on ecstasy at an oaken