Not exactly an apples to apples comparison as I'm not sure about the caliper stiffness on the new cars, but when I switched from Cobra brakes to Brembos in the front there was a noticeable improvement in feel. That was a direct result of a significant increase in caliper stiffness. Another bonus was better heat dissipation due to increased thermal mass of the caliper body itself. More consistent pad wear was improved as well with the fixed caliper.
From what I've been reading/hearing, there isn't a significant improvement in stopping distance between the standard brakes and the Brembos, but there is an improvement in fade resistance after repeated hard stops/threshold braking.
Bottom line is that performance-wise, unless you're going to open track the car, you'll likely never notice the difference. So it really comes down to esthetics/19"wheel option, which is merely a personal preference thing.
I don't really like any of the wheel offerings, so I'd opt to go standard brakes and pick out my own wheels and upgrade brakes if I felt compelled to do so.
I wouldn't spend a dime for a CS package...but I like clean and simple. They're too busy for my taste.
That's me too. I got a 401a option in sterling gray and a auto, standard brakes. I can always get the carbon pads like I have on 03. I plan on getting different wheels anyway, some kind of chrome ones. Since it is a auto it's not a roadracer just want something decent in traffic and that can hold its own, close to my 03 in straight line. They called yesterday said it was in. So wed hope to go get it.