McLaren Track Brake Pad Comparison: Pagid RSC1 vs ENDLESS CCD-A vs OEM
Alias23: McLaren Track Brake Pad Comparison
Pagid RSC1 vs ENDLESS CCD-A vs OEM
Product(s):
ENDLESS CCD-A Front / ENDLESS CCD-A Rear
If you track a McLaren, brake pads are the first thing you’ll burn through and the easiest place to either transform the car or quietly ruin a very expensive set of discs. I run a 600LT myself, on road and on track, so this comparison comes from experience!
Below is the honest comparison between the three realistic options: factory McLaren OEM pads, Pagid RSC1 and ENDLESS CCD-A.
First, the thing most people get wrong: these are carbon ceramic brakes
The majority of McLaren's leave the factory with carbon ceramic (CCM) discs as standard. That single fact governs everything about pad choice. You cannot fit a normal steel-disc track pad, the friction material has to be formulated specifically for carbon ceramic. Fit the wrong compound and at best it won’t bite; at worst you’ll chew into discs that cost over £12K+ (dealer price) a set to replace.
So this comparison is strictly between pads designed for CCM discs. That’s also why your options are narrower (and pricier) than they’d be on a steel-braked car.
What are the OEM McLaren pads actually good at?
The factory pads are tuned for the road, and on the road they’re genuinely good: quiet, progressive, strong cold bite when you pull out of your drive. For 90% of owners doing 90% road miles, there is nothing wrong with them.
Where they struggle is sustained track abuse. Lap after lap of hard, late braking builds heat the road compound isn’t designed to live at. You’ll feel the bite go soft, the pedal lengthen, and the expensive part accelerated wear on both pad and disc. They’re a road pad asked to do a track job - So they're not going to last long!
Pagid RSC1 – The All Rounder
The Pagid RSC1 is an RS-series ceramic compound with a long motorsport pedigree, formulated specifically for carbon ceramic discs. The key difference versus OEM is the operating window: it’s happy at much higher temperatures and holds a consistent, firm bite when the brakes are genuinely hot.
In return you accept road-going compromises. There’s more initial noise and the pad wants some heat in it to feel its best, so the very first stop on a cold morning is less reassuring than OEM but they don't take too long to warm up and even during winter months had no real issues.
On track that’s a non-issue; on a cold commute it’s a case of being mindful.
In my experience, the RSC1 is the pad I’d point most owners toward who want a good spirited road driving pad that can easily handle track usage. It is the ultimate all rounder for the McLaren.
NOTE: You may see an RSL Pagid option for the McLaren. Be mindful this is not for carbon ceramic discs whatever you read, and on investigation Pagid don't recommend or readily stock.
Pagid RSC 600LT/720S Pads Available HERE
Pagid RSC 570S/650S/675LT Pads Available HERE
ENDLESS CCD-A – The track-focused specialist
ENDLESS is a Japanese motorsport brand, and the CCD-A is their carbon-ceramic-dedicated compound (front and rear are separate part numbers — you buy the front and rear sets). It’s aimed squarely at the owner whose priority is track performance and who wants strong, repeatable stopping power while being as kind as a high-friction pad can be to the discs.
It’s the more committed choice of the two. If your weekends are about lap times and you’ll tolerate more road-going compromise to get there, this is the direction.
From personal experience I found myself re-evaluating my breaking points on track way beyond even the Pagid RSC. You can brake later and the bite is extreme. On the road there is noise, they're loud when cold!
Interestingly out of all options the ENDLESS have the best longevity of pad and the kindest to the McLaren OEM discs. For example two track days and only 2mm of wear of the pads and minimal wear to discs. In comparison OEM pads would be dead after 1-1.5 track days and discs lasting maybe 3 track days before showing a need for replacement soon. For track purists the ENDLESS pads are worth the extra spend.
ENDLESS CCD-A 600LT/720S Front Pads Available HERE
ENDLESS CCD-A 600LT/720S Rear Pads Available HERE
Pagid RSC1 vs ENDLESS CCD-A vs OEM – at a glance
| OEM McLaren | Pagid RSC1 | ENDLESS CCD-A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designed for CCM discs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best at | Road | Road + Track | Track Focus + Spirited Road Usage |
| Cold bite | Good | Moderate (wants heat) | Moderate (needs heat) |
| Hot performance / fade resistance | Limited | Strong | Strong |
| Noise | Low | Medium | High |
| Dust | Medium | Medium | Low |
| OEM CCM Disc Wear | High | Medium | Low |
| Pad Longevity | Poor on Track | Medium | High |
Bedding-in (do not skip this)
Whichever pad you choose, it must be bedded in properly before hard use. New pads on carbon ceramic discs need a controlled heat cycle to transfer an even layer of material and reach their proper friction level. Skipping this is the fastest way to get inconsistent bite and uneven wear on discs you really don’t want to damage. Always follow the pad manufacturer’s bedding procedure on your first outing — not lap three of a hot session — and have the work carried out by a qualified professional.
So which should you buy?
- Mostly road: stay on OEM
- Road with some Track Usage: move to Pagid RSC1 if you want headroom for the track without ruining the road manners.
- Regular track use, lap times matter: ENDLESS CCD-A.
- Protecting the discs is your top worry: for spirited road usage and tracks the OEM pads will wear fast, and even more a worry wear out the OEM McLaren discs faster than a Pagid or ENDLESS pad.
Final Note
Brake pad choice on a McLaren comes down to one honest question: how do you actually use the car? Buy the pad for that, have a professional fit it, bed it in correctly, and you’ll protect both your braking performance and the very expensive discs underneath.
If you’re still unsure which is right for your car, or you need to confirm fitment, please get in touch before ordering.
Written by Imran Choudhary, founder of Alias23 and a McLaren 600LT owner who tracks his own car.