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I've had varying experiences with brake pads over the years. I have learned that there can be a difference between "OEM" (but not officially Saab) and "Saab" parts (or whatever car). Often the composition of less-expensive pads is in fact softer than factory-supplied pads, making for a spongy feel and reduced brake efficiency. This effect can also be produced if the pads weren't properly bedded in during the first 100 or so miles after installation. Perhaps this is a factor in your dissatisfaction.
Though tires will affect your car's ability to stop when you ask, they will have zero effect on brake "feel." ABS should kick in if you grip hard, regardless of your tires. As others have mentioned, things like brake hoses and even brake fluid itself can be contributors here. If your rotors are old enough, they may be worn down below specifications and thus less able to dispel heat.
I do not agree that a 9000 even COULD have better braking performance (in real-world circumstances) than a BMW because of two things: 1.) Saabs have 60% of their weight over the front wheels AT REST -- under hard braking the rears consequently have little effect, a characteristic drastically reduced in a BMW; 2.) BMW hasn't retained its reputation for unerring performance cars for nothing. For the price, I would expect them to be better than other cars, and I believe this to be the case.
A BMW ostensibly puts performance first, or near to it, and everything else is built around this priority. Saabs are built to be safe first, and everything is built around that. Each has done excellent work at integrating all needs into well-rounded cars, but Saabs are meant to meet different budgetary and performance criteria than BMWs. To cite R&T numbers obtained in controlled conditions by professional drivers (pushing cars to limits you or I would be unwise to explore) is really more of an emotional exercise than a rational one.
One final note: ABS is not there to help the car stop, it's there to help the car remain steerable while stopping. If you want to stop fast and don't care what direction your car faces, lock the brakes. However, in most panic braking situations, one needs to slow down AND continue steering around the old lady in the Dodge Dart -- thus, ABS (plus the myriad ice and wet circumstances). Audi, purveyor of very cool AWD beasts, saw fit from very early days to allow the driver to disable ABS for snowy conditions, when locking 'em up is the best hope for stopping.
In the end, if you're not happy with the braking performance and feel, you might just want to investigate your pads' makeup, the wear on your rotors, the condition of your brake fluid, and lastly your tires. What you've described sounds to me like either soft pad composition or thin rotors.
posted by 67.87.7...
, Mon, 28 Jun 2004 11:07:12, Mon, 28 Jun 2004 10:40:06
, Mon, 28 Jun 2004 03:58:11
, Sun, 27 Jun 2004 10:08:10
, Mon, 28 Jun 2004 01:27:57, Mon, 28 Jun 2004 04:02:31
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