My first set of Pirelli PZero Corsa System lasted 12’000km (7500mi) including four track days at Infineon, Thunderhill and Laguna Seca. The second set got retired early after a puncture in Hockenheim and an emergency replacement with Bridgestone RE050s miraculously available on location. I replaced them prematurely after 7500 km with another set of Corsa Systems for the 2010 trackday season. I haven’t had the opportunity to try more aggressive rubber (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup, Pirelli Corsa or PZero Trofeo). I paid between 2100 and 2400 CHF for sets of Corsa Systems, a reasonable price for these dimensions and performance level.
Brakes are to be looked after carefully. Their endurance is beyond criticism, you can beat them up dawn to dusk without a hint of fading, but their wear matches the car’s pace. Rotors develop hairlines around venting holes, but these never got critical. Front rotors got replaced after 22000km (13600mi) with GT3 Cup equivalents (800 CHF + VAT), front brake pads had given up 2000km earlier. It is the rears that need attention. Insufficient thickness, significant brake bias and Traction Control devour rear brake pads: barely 15000km for the first set (OEM), 6000km with the second (Pagid). Partial remedy comes from not using Traction Control on dry pavement.
GT3s are delivered with a very conservative set-up with high ride height and neutral axle adjustments. Being disturbed by track-out understeer, I asked for more front end bite without making the rear too edgy. Ride height dropped, about 2 degrees front and 2.5 degrees rear of camber, with corner weights adjusted. Since the car is entirely adjustable, all it takes is an experienced mechanic. Result ? No idea. Without a direct, before/after comparison, it is very difficult to gauge differences, my learning curve running in parallel with progressive adjustments of the car. My only certainties are that the car is now properly tuned for track use with a neutral balance, and that the front splitter clearance is even worse than stock.
Total cost of ownership comes down to 2.94CHF/km (4.3 USD/mi) all included, with incremental kilometers at 0.71 CHF. Depreciation stands out by a large measure, a virtual depreciation since the car was bought in California for about 30% less than European prices, or about the cost of depreciation over 2.5 years. Base price in Switzerland in 2007: 171400 CHF, estimated resale value in Aug 2010 at 30’000km: 115’000 CHF, or 21’100 CHF per year.
Fixed expenses (insurance and taxes) follow with 3740 CHF per year, then a pretty hefty gas bill due to a 16.6L/100km average skewed by track use, and the cost of 98 unleaded in Germany. Brakes, tires and maintenance are distant followers. These running costs are not cheap, but that is not a steep price to pay for the thrills of driving one of the best sport cars on the most thrilling tracks of the world. Images say it better than a thousand words.
