Are There Any Downsides to PCCB?

If I had to name a couple, they’d be brake squeal and a tendency to pick up small stones.

Brake squeal doesn’t bother me—in fact, I think it’s part of the Porsche brake experience. But PCCB is more prone to squealing than cast-iron brakes. The owner’s manual also specifically warns that PCCB brakes may squeal.

With my car, the squeal is more noticeable after repeated, slightly harder braking—such as on a winding road. But once I’m back to driving around town, it naturally fades after a while.

The other issue is that small stones can get caught around the brakes. This may be because I sometimes take the GT3 on narrow, hard-to-drive roads. After driving on a particularly gravelly road, I often hear a light scraping or rattling sound from the brakes, and it seems to happen more often than with cast-iron brakes. I’m not sure exactly where the stones get lodged, but the noise usually goes away on its own after driving for a while.

PCCB: The Verdict

PCCB’s exceptional stopping power and easy-to-modulate braking are in a league of their own. It also seems clear that the reduced unsprung weight can have a positive effect on ride comfort and handling.

There are still questions around long-term durability, but if, like me, you only do a few relaxed track sessions a year, I don’t think you need to worry too much. (That might be a different story at a track that’s particularly hard on brakes, like Fuji. I’ll keep investigating.)

Whether PCCB is worth the price is a personal decision. But for me, if I buy another Porsche in the future—whether it’s a 911, Cayman, or Boxster—it’s one of the options I’d definitely want to choose.