VW Golf R OEM Versus Aftermarket Brakes - rotors and pads, braided lines

[Call me Al]

Me again............ Be kind I am new at this. The front rotors have a bit of wear and a lip on them.
I just got a quote from VW Service and parts for VW OEM standard front and rear Rotors and brake pads.
VW OEM standard front Rotors $580
VW OEM standard rear Rotors $342
VW OEM standard front pads $155
VW OEM standard rear pads $155
VW OEM standard bolts x 4 $22
Total of above: $1386
Plus labor to install $480 plus GST $186.60 = $2052.60.

I am sure I can get aftermarket and performance (big) brake kits for around the same price as standard VW OEM but seek help from those on the VW R forum who have researched and been there done that for advice and suggestions.
I have done a lot of brake upgrades but not on Electric Hand brakes, and do not have a current VDCS/OBD211 to program the handbrake removal and set up.




I think, the R just needs the DBA 5000/4000 rotors with SP pad's and braided line's and dot 4/5 fluids. Which will set me up for parts for around $1,700 AUD.
Wish List: https://brakesdirect.com.au/.../dba52830wblkxd-dba-5000... and https://brakesdirect.com.au/.../dba42809wblkxd-dba-4000... and https://brakesdirect.com.au/.../fp1-q565-na-forza-fp1... and https://brakesdirect.com.au/.../fp1-l350-ja-forza-fp1...

FP1.L350.JA | Forza FP1 Brake Pads (DB2384) Australia's Experts in Automotive Braking Components!

I may buy them from DBA or EBay or other depends on price and availability.



I might get Coorparoo Mechanic's to install the lot so that warranty is intact.
Cheers
from Al<")))><

[Sharkie]

Given it's just the front rotors that's worn down, you could just do them with new pads. I recently got this for mine (at 30K kms mine is done and needs replacement). Rears still look good, so not doing them.



And some ATE ceramic pads from Harding Performance.

Unless you are really racing your wagon, no need to go beyond 4000 series or even do braided lines.

[7ur7le]

u can just put new pads on them ull be fine.. rotors last forever u can go thru 2 - 3 sets of pads on the same rotor with no difference in performance or durability... just depends on how good or bad the pad is that u use

[7ur7le]

as for the rears... its worth it to the spend the 100 odd bucks to get the obd tool to release the rear calipers... u can do fronts and rears (discs and pads) in a couple of hours urself its pretty easy.. thats if you even need to change the rotors which your probably dont just need pads.

[Lucas_R]

I recently fitted these Bosch replacement disks (front and rear) along with ATE Ceramic pads. No problems what so ever for normal street driving. My Mk7 GTI is the Performance Pack edition so it has the larger disks (340mm front and 310mm ventilated rear) and calipers from the Golf R.

The ATE Ceramic pads are not necessary though, and you could definitely get cheaper pads, but the ATE Ceramic pads are far less dusty and the ceramic is more gentle on the disks, so they will last a considerable amount of time longer before needing to be replaced.

Front disks: Bosch BD1566 OE Replacemant Brake Disc Rotors Pair 340mm 0986479734 | Automotive Superstore

ATE Front Pads: ATE Front Ceramic Brake Pads - MK7/7.5 R, 8V S3 - Harding Performance

Rear disks: Bosch BD1166 Brake Disc Rotors Pair | Automotive Superstore

ATE rear pads: ATE Rear Ceramic Brake Pads - MK7/7.5 R, 8V S3, MK7/7.5 GTI - Harding Performance

[GolfRWag]

DBA Street T2 front discs and Street series pads all round

I just got a similar message from VW "brakes are down to 2 mm do you want us to replace?"
Knowing how much they would charge I declined and started shopping.
(And the thinnest the pads were at the front was 4mm....)

The R front discs were lipped and a bit grooved, rears only very slightly lipped so I too the opportunity to put some better front rotors on I'm not racing but a cheap upgrade is always nice.
Asked about on the GTi/R/R Wagon Facebook groups when I discovered many online sellers don't have the correct spec for Golf R (340mm front, 310 rear) and Prospeed racing came up recommended with the goods for sharp prices delivered within 3-4 days.
Settled on DBA T2 Street series front rotors and DBA Street Series pads which are a ceramic.

DBA T2 Street Series Slotted Front Rotors PAIR - VW Golf GTI/R Mk7/Passat B7/B8/Audi A3 8V/S3 8V/TT
DBA SS Street Series OE Replacement Brake Pads - VW Golf GTI Mk7/R Mk7/Passat B8/Audi S3 8V (Front)
DBA SS Street Series OE Replacement Brake Pads - VW Golf GTI Mk7/R Mk7/Passat B8/Audi S3 8V (Rear) D

All up $550 delivered and a few hours to do the lot - and remember why working off a concrete floor is a little difficult!
Undoing the front calliper mount bolts to get the disc off was the hardest bit requiring a fair size breaker, rest was easy as long as you have VCDS/OBD11 to retract the rear park-brake motors and remember to take fluid out of the reservoir as you push pistons back into the callipers.

Cold bite is great (better than I expected as factory pads are semi-metallics) and improving as they wear in, and a lot less nasty black dust.

[minke]

I recently fitted these Bosch replacement disks (front and rear) along with ATE Ceramic pads. No problems what so ever for normal street driving. My Mk7 GTI is the Performance Pack edition so it has the larger disks (340mm front and 310mm ventilated rear) and calipers from the Golf R.

The ATE Ceramic pads are not necessary though, and you could definitely get cheaper pads, but the ATE Ceramic pads are far less dusty and the ceramic is more gentle on the disks, so they will last a considerable amount of time longer before needing to be replaced.

Front disks: Bosch BD1566 OE Replacemant Brake Disc Rotors Pair 340mm 0986479734 | Automotive Superstore

ATE Front Pads: ATE Front Ceramic Brake Pads - MK7/7.5 R, 8V S3 - Harding Performance

Rear disks: Bosch BD1166 Brake Disc Rotors Pair | Automotive Superstore

ATE rear pads: ATE Rear Ceramic Brake Pads - MK7/7.5 R, 8V S3, MK7/7.5 GTI - Harding Performance

are the ceramic pads quiet? same feel?

[Lucas_R]

are the ceramic pads quiet? same feel?

Perfectly silent - no noises whatsoever from the pads or disks.

Brake feel is a bit different with the ceramic pads but I actually prefer it. The stock pads gave a feeling like it was a switch - either on or off which i found braking lightly difficult to do smoothly.

The ceramic pads require a bit more force from your right foot to get the same amount of brake force, but i find the “feel” of them much nicer.

[gregozedobe]

are the ceramic pads quiet? same feel?

I put ATE low dust ceramic pads on my Mk7.5 R from (almost) new.

No noise at all, ever.

They have less initial grab than the OEM pads, but as soon as you push a bit harder they do grip quite well - I'd describe them as more progressive and I prefer that to the OEM initial grabiness.

Note that these particular pads are not marketed as a performance pad, so may not be the best choice for track work or extreme street driving (eg hammering down a mountain pass with lots of heavy late braking). I don't do that so they suit me fine.

[genebaby]

I love grabby brakes so I'm really on the fence when it comes to needing a pad change.

[GolfRWag]

I put ATE low dust ceramic pads on my Mk7.5 R from (almost) new.

No noise at all, ever.

They have less initial grab than the OEM pads, but as soon as you push a bit harder they do grip quite well - I'd describe them as more progressive and I prefer that to the OEM initial grabiness.

Note that these particular pads are not marketed as a performance pad, so may not be the best choice for track work or extreme street driving (eg hammering down a mountain pass with lots of heavy late braking). I don't do that so they suit me fine.

Yes, I agree, bite is still good but less sharp and more progressive/bit less grabby; still with heaps of easy retardation available.

[GolfRWag]

I love grabby brakes so I'm really on the fence when it comes to needing a pad change.

You probably want OEM again/semi-metallics which should have a sharper initial bite than ceramics judging by online feedback.

[genebaby]

That's what I hear too. Still looking into it, always researching.

[minke]

Well... 29k and the brake warning light has come on. The 2020 GTI is the wifes car (I do use it) but gee that's annoyingly early.

My A4 at 88,000km original pad/rotors and no warning light yet...

Talking to the wife we both hate the light switch brake.bugger all feel.

Is anyone aware of anything that can be done? I know Lucus spoke about Ate ceramic having slightly better feel.. but rather get something closer to the A4 (or other cars I've driven)

[Lucas_R]

Simply replacing with non-genuine pads will get rid of that "light switch" on/off brake pedal feel. I hated that as well.