PSCB Service Life and Replacement Cost

[Zmoney]

Can you replace the pads only on the PCCB's? The rotors would not need to be replaced if they are in great shape?

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[daveo4EV]

Can you replace the pads only on the PCCB's? The rotors would not need to be replaced if they are in great shape?

PCCB's or PSCB's?

with Ceramic's yes you can only replace the PADs - rotor wear leading to replacment is uncommon unless associated with heavy (normally track) use…

I have no information about PSCB (which is what this thread is about) and pads vs. rotors and normal wear.

PCCB's are Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes
PSCB's are Porsche Surface Coated Brakes

they are not the same thing - and have very different wear characteristics.

was your question about PCCB's? or PSCB's?

 

[daveo4EV]

Can you replace the pads only on the PCCB's? The rotors would not need to be replaced if they are in great shape?

PCCB (Carbon Ceramic) brake rotors can only be evaluated via two methods:

• take the rotors off the car and measure their weight against the "minimum" weight published on the rotor-hat
• use of a density measurement tool from CarboTech ($6k from vehicle diagnostics parts firm I found) - Most/All Porsche dealers have the CarboTech tool - it is used to measure rotor-wear at 3 marked places on the PCCB rotors and compare the rotor's current density value with Max/Min density value printed on the Rotor-hat
  • https://www.screeningeagle.com/en/products/carboteq

you can NOT determine PCCB rotor wear/life-expectancy from a pure visual inspection (unless the rotors are clearly worn/abused/damaged) - the _ONLY_ way to evaluate PCCB's rotors is via measure - weight or density tool.

the only aspect of PCCB rotors that can be evaluated visually is abuse/damage/surface defects - this is still useful - but worn-out PCCB's can be visually perfect and show no outward signs of wear and they can fail the weight/carbotech density.

I'm not saying to skip a visual inspection of PCCB rotors - I'm just pointing out it's not conclusive about rotor life, but will definatly demonstrate any abuse/damage - if you want to know where you are in a PCCB's rotor lifespan - it must be measured - and the cost there is all labor to remove/measure the rotors since you have to either weigh the rotors off the car, or take the CarboTech measurements with the rotors off the car.

 

[ZenicaNC]

Stumbled across this looking to verify something I saw online, that a "brake job" on the Taycan was north of 11k for just the parts (pads/rotors). The video is mainly a breakdown of the PSCB system but he does give a parts cost at time index 9:20 of the video. My Cayenne went 46k before its first brake job. The dealer did all the hardware at that point on my request even though the rotors may have been eligible to be cut. I sure hope the Taycan goes as long before it needs brakes considering the nearly triple cost.

 

[j.w.s]

I've got the PSCBs and I'm frankly horrified at the cost of brakes and rotors.

From the iron brakes on my Targa I know to expect pads every 10k or so with rotors every other time.

This car is heavier and harder to stop. I know regen helps reduce brake wear but I still feel $20 bills shooting out every time I press the brake pedal.

Any thoughts on how long these things should last? I'm really hoping the prices come down by the time they need replacing.

Based on what I have read, I am planning on at least 100-120K miles on my PSCB rotors, and pad replacement by date rather than miles. If that information holds then the PSCBs aren't that much more expensive for non-track use than the iron brakes in the long long term.
The ceramic rotors, on the other hand, should be a "forever" item, unless of course you suck up a rock and chip one, in which case you are really going to hate the price.

 

[SergeyIndy]

Based on the evidence from some forum members PSCBs start showing crack lines and then chip around 50k miles or 4 year mark speculating that this is due to the low use. I can see the crack lines already visible on my not even 2 year old and 18k miles Taycan. This will certainly be a fight on my end to get them covered under warranty if they start chipping. The pads are replaced at a 6 year mark regardless of miles. However, yes, by design PSCB rotors should last at least 100k miles.

On the other hand, our Cayenne with PSCBs have mirror like look at 50k miles and 5 years with no visible crack lines.

This means to me that no one actually tested what happens to the PSCB carbide coating when brakes are rarely used to shine them on an EV. I suspect this is why they are not even offered on Macan EV.

 

[r553]

When ordering my 2020 4S I priced the replacement parts for PSCB and easily determined to stay with the iron brakes. Prices from Sun Coast for PSCBs for front rotors & pads are $3545, sensor is $80 and $30 for caliper bolts. The rear rotors & pads are $2570 and $335, sensor is $68 and bolts are $18.

Prices from Sun Coast show front iron rotors & pads are $425 & $286, sensor $68 and caliper bolts $18. Rear iron rotors & pads are $375 & $220, sensor is $68 and caliper bolts are $18.

Porsche insists the pads be replaced at 6 years due to corrosion.

 

[D00notD00d]

I’m currently in dispute regarding a PSCB fault.

While in for the UK ARB6 recall, one of the 8 disc surfaces was found to have corrosion - others all fine. The problem is on the inner left rear disc.
The problem wasn’t detected at the 4 year service and MOT safety test 6 months ago.
Since only one of the 8 surfaces is affected, I believe there must be a manufacturing defect in the application of the tungsten carbide coating. Porsche markets PSCB claiming ‘it does not rust’ and will extend durability by 30% - my car has done 29,000 miles.

The dealer refused to submit a warranty claim stating this would be refused by Porsche because they would regard the condition as normal wear and tear.

Illogically, since only one of the eight surfaces is affected, the dealer said the problem could be caused by not braking enough; braking too hard too often, or too much braking when the discs are cold. Astonishing!

I raised a warranty dispute with the importer, Porsche GB, two weeks ago. So far no response.

This is on top of the UK regulator advice which effectively means that there is no safe location available to charge the car. After relaying this advice in the ARB6 recall letter, Porsche then countermanded it saying I could charge in a garage or car park or near buildings if I did not charge above 80%. When I queried this contradiction with the UK regulator, DVSA, they advised I should ignore the relaxation notified by Porsche and their advice stands - “we would advise not to charge the vehicle under cover and/or to ensure the vehicle is not parked adjacent to or under buildings while charging”. Effectively that means that the car cannot be charged.

So the car cannot be charged and even if it could, the brakes have failed.

I’m waiting for a response from Porsche on the brakes, the ARB6 charging requirement and whether the car has been switched from ARB6 to ARB7. The car has been with the dealer since 9/4/25. The Taycan has been away from me for 4 of the 23 months I have owned it. Fortunately I kept my Cayenne. At 37,000 miles its standard brakes are fine.

“It doesn’t rust”
“Its surface consists of tungsten carbide (chemical formula: WC). Tungsten and carbon form a mixed crystal so hard that it can be used to cut glass. Tungsten carbide is one of the hardest materials in the world after diamond, and around ten times harder than gray cast iron”

 

[ZenicaNC]

Porsche insists the pads be replaced at 6 years

I'm sure they do. Income security.

I doubt very much I'll be replacing viable rotors because viable pads are being condemned due to time without some physical signs of failure.

 

[Flying ace]

When ordering my 2020 4S I priced the replacement parts for PSCB and easily determined to stay with the iron brakes. Prices from Sun Coast for PSCBs for front rotors & pads are $3545, sensor is $80 and $30 for caliper bolts. The rear rotors & pads are $2570 and $335, sensor is $68 and bolts are $18.

Prices from Sun Coast show front iron rotors & pads are $425 & $286, sensor $68 and caliper bolts $18. Rear iron rotors & pads are $375 & $220, sensor is $68 and caliper bolts are $18.

Porsche insists the pads be replaced at 6 years due to corrosion.

So the pads are a few hundred $ more, sensors and bolts negligible. It appears it comes down to rotor wear rates, period and length of ownership.

For a new car and 3 year ownership, you'll spend more replacing iron brakes and you'll need a full swap, whereas during this period, PSCBs would need no servicing.

It's really the year 5-6 (since original date) that the PSCBs cost is a consideration in ownership, i.e. the 2nd/3rd owner of the vehicle, post CPO expiry.

 

[D00notD00d]

My experience with standard brakes is that pads will last at least 30,000 miles (those on my Cayenne are still good at 38,000 miles) and that discs/rotors are changed every other pad change. But it does of course depend upon how you use them.

Replacing PSCB on one axle is circa £3.5k. For standard brakes, the cost for two axles is circa £2.5k.

 

[chun]

I’m currently in dispute regarding a PSCB fault.

While in for the UK ARB6 recall, one of the 8 disc surfaces was found to have corrosion - others all fine. The problem is on the inner left rear disc.
The problem wasn’t detected at the 4 year service and MOT safety test 6 months ago.
Since only one of the 8 surfaces is affected, I believe there must be a manufacturing defect in the application of the tungsten carbide coating. Porsche markets PSCB claiming ‘it does not rust’ and will extend durability by 30% - my car has done 29,000 miles.

The dealer refused to submit a warranty claim stating this would be refused by Porsche because they would regard the condition as normal wear and tear.

Illogically, since only one of the eight surfaces is affected, the dealer said the problem could be caused by not braking enough; braking too hard too often, or too much braking when the discs are cold. Astonishing!

I raised a warranty dispute with the importer, Porsche GB, two weeks ago. So far no response.

This is on top of the UK regulator advice which effectively means that there is no safe location available to charge the car. After relaying this advice in the ARB6 recall letter, Porsche then countermanded it saying I could charge in a garage or car park or near buildings if I did not charge above 80%. When I queried this contradiction with the UK regulator, DVSA, they advised I should ignore the relaxation notified by Porsche and their advice stands - “we would advise not to charge the vehicle under cover and/or to ensure the vehicle is not parked adjacent to or under buildings while charging”. Effectively that means that the car cannot be charged.

So the car cannot be charged and even if it could, the brakes have failed.

I’m waiting for a response from Porsche on the brakes, the ARB6 charging requirement and whether the car has been switched from ARB6 to ARB7. The car has been with the dealer since 9/4/25. The Taycan has been away from me for 4 of the 23 months I have owned it. Fortunately I kept my Cayenne. At 37,000 miles its standard brakes are fine.

“It doesn’t rust”
“Its surface consists of tungsten carbide (chemical formula: WC). Tungsten and carbon form a mixed crystal so hard that it can be used to cut glass. Tungsten carbide is one of the hardest materials in the world after diamond, and around ten times harder than gray cast iron”

Hello! What came of your PSCB warranty claim/denial on them rusting?

 

[D00notD00d]

@chun Good timing.
After 8 weeks of wrangling, and lining up the services of an automotive metallurgist expert witness, a compromise settlement has just been agreed. I should get the car back next week.

 

[Fedex77]

Just completed my 4 year service (my car only has 16k miles), but my SA has been warning me that the 6 year service (in 2 years) is $6000 because it includes brakes (PSCB).

Now the standard service is around $1500, so I’m assuming that is $4500 for brake pad replacements?! Does that track for other Porsche cars brake pad replacements?

 

[chun]

Just completed my 4 year service (my car only has 16k miles), but my SA has been warning me that the 6 year service (in 2 years) is $6000 because it includes brakes (PSCB).

Now the standard service is around $1500, so I’m assuming that is $4500 for brake pad replacements?! Does that track for other Porsche cars brake pad replacements?

https://www.suncoastparts.com/category/taycanv3brpscb.html

It's 1500 for pads usually.

Unless they are quoting you rotors also, they are scamming you.

And why would they replace your rotors? They are not supposed to rust.
And they are supposed to have way longer life than steal ones.
So can they prove that they are used and no longer adequate? As taycan uses mostly regen when you press the brake pedal

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