The 981 uses cross-drilled, internally vented steel discs as standard, with carbon-ceramic brakes available as an option.
Steel brakes by variant
- Base: front discs around 315 mm × 28 mm.
- S models: larger 330 mm front discs with 4-piston aluminium monobloc fixed calipers up front.
- GTS: S-derived brakes; 20-inch wheels standard.
- Boxster Spyder / Cayman GT4: 911 Carrera S / 991 GT3-derived brakes — 6-piston front calipers with ~340 mm discs and 4-piston rears. These are the strongest factory steel setup on the 981.
The S/GTS front disc minimum (wear) thickness is 26 mm (new 28 mm) and the rear is 18 mm (new 20 mm); the figure is stamped on the disc. Replace pads when friction material reaches roughly 2 mm.
PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes)
PCCB is the optional carbon-ceramic system, identified by its yellow calipers. The discs are silicon-carbide composite and far lighter than steel, cutting unsprung and rotating mass and offering excellent fade resistance and long life under normal road use.
The caution: PCCB is very expensive to replace, can chip, and track use shortens its life dramatically — so a used 981 with worn PCCB can carry a large hidden replacement bill. For mostly-road cars, the steel brakes are excellent and far cheaper to live with.
Exact PCCB disc dimensions and caliper piston counts vary by variant and should be confirmed against the official spec sheet before quoting.
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