Front pads and rotors 2018 Golf R

[ABCD]

Brake pads wear warning light has come on recently on my 2018 Golf R and the rotors are right on the minimum thickness.
I am toying with the idea of replacing with the cross drilled front "Clubsport" rotors as fitted to the 2019 Golf R Special Edition. I have no plans to track the car or fit high performance brakes but thought the Clubsport rotors might be a good "stock upgrade" if the price difference is reasonable.
However I have submitted online parts enquiries to a few VW dealers in Sydney but they are not playing ball - I suspect as my VIN does not "match" this option - but rather than persisting with them I am wondering what OEM options there are for the Clubsport rotors and pads, and where to source them and/or recommendations on who could supply and fit in Sydney.
Many thanks

[Sharkie]

Expect close to $1000 (if not more) for a set of OEM Clubsport rotors. Negligible improvement over stock.

Better to fit good aftermarket rotors for less than half the cost with similar looks and an actual improvement in performance.

I run DBA 4000Series slotted rotors and ATE ceramic pads and it is an awesome setup at a far cheaper price. No brake dust either



Going to fit a similar setup to our T-Roc R soon

[Lucas_R]

You will pay through the nose for genuine VW cross drilled disks. Suggest you look at the high quality aftermarket options.

Brembo make a nice OEM looking cross drilled disk for the Golf R if you want cross drilled. But they are not exactly cheap. Link to Brembo disks

[gerhard]

Check Ebay Item 285782397412 for Brembo rotors and ceramic pads $400 + shipping $59. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285782397412

I put these on my daughter's Tiguan R Line. It's a 2 hour job for home mechanic or should be easy 1 hour job for a workshop.

[ABCD]

Thanks. Those rotors for the Tiguan appear to be same spec as the “standard” Golf R rotors. I am curious to know what you do with the pad sensor when fitting after market brake pads - can you fit a new one with any pad type, or do you just do without it??

[gerhard]

Thanks. Those rotors for the Tiguan appear to be same spec as the “standard” Golf R rotors. I am curious to know what you do with the pad sensor when fitting after market brake pads - can you fit a new one with any pad type, or do you just do without it??

They come with the pad sensor wire and new bolts. The 340mm rotors are the same for quite a few models. I fitted the same pads to my new T-ROC R to eliminate the OEM awful black dust. Didn't change the rotors because the car was new. Sensor wire on right front inner just plugs in no problem.

[ABCD]

Many thanks. You winning me over!!! One last question from me - how do you rate that combo of rotors/pads in terms of noise and braking “feel” compared to original VW Tiguan brakes??

[gerhard]

Many thanks. You winning me over!!! One last question from me - how do you rate that combo of rotors/pads in terms of noise and braking “feel” compared to original VW Tiguan brakes??

There is no noise, tiny amount of light dust, the feel is slightly less "savage", the pad compound is GG same as original, the rotors wear far less and the pads last much longer.

The Tiguan retained the rear factory pads, so myc daughterr reported no difference in her driving style.

My GTI wore out rotors and pads at about 40,000k (some hard use ) and I replaced front and back with DBA rotors and Pagid Ceramic pads. When I sold it last year at 100,000k there was barely a lip on the rotors and the pads were still at more than 80%, and the wheels remained clean and easy to wash off what little dust there was. No noise.

The T-ROC wheels got filthy in only 200 or 300ks, so I swapped the pads for the Brembo NEO ceramics and that issue is gone. No noise, slightly less "savage" than the OEMs but you get used to them in a day or two. Crash stops no difference.

[ABCD]

An update for anyone still interested. I finally heard back from my local VW dealer. They will do a "special price" on the Clubsport rotors and pads plus fitting all up about $2K. Assuming 2 hours of dealer labour @ $250/hour this puts the parts at about $1500 so I left it at that.
My local "European Car Specialist" can supply and fit the "stock" Golf R Brembo rotors and pads for $700 or the Clubsport cross drilled type Brembos + pads for about $1K.
With the warning light on I reckon I still have a few thousand kms left to decide whether it is worth $300 for what would be a mostly cosmetic upgrade on a non tracked car.
Thanks to all for your advice.