Looking for recommendations on replacement rotors and pads

[Bydant]

My rear pads are starting to sound a bit worn and after miking them and the front rotors i'm pretty sure they would never make it to the end of a new set of pads.

After being quoted $1100 for OEM pads and rotors (all 4 corners) I'm now looking for alternatives.

Being a former Suabru driver I've defaulted to DBA 4000 T3 rotors and EBC Greenstuff pads as an after market setup, which I can get for $770.

Can anyone provide some thoughts or alternatives?

I don't do track days, but I do drive winding and steep roads most weekends.

The car in question is a 2011 Tiguan 147 tsi with 7 speed DSG.

Thanks!

[Dingah]

I suspect you will get a veritable torrent of advice and experience.
I have used almost all relatively common pads, from Bendix ultimates, through Ferodo 2500, and recently swore by the Hawk HPS pads which were on my significantly modified GTi with the ECS Big Brakes.
Most recently I am driving an Audi SQ5 which is a heavier and faster vehicle and recently changed to EBC Red Stuff and am absolutely delighted with every aspect of their performance without reproach. I am using these with OEM rotors and it is as though it is an entirely new braking system on my car; quiet, much less dust, great cold bite without being too snatchy and enduring performance under repeated applications.

Dingah

[Bydant]

I did want to use the redstuff pads as I have used them previously on a 4pot/2pot setup on a modded Forester GT. The dust was very minimal after the initial break in period.

Unfortunately, they don't have part numbers for redstuff in the EBC applications book. I have a feeling that they do exist, but are omitted as they are not recommended for "SUVs" by EBC.

Are the Tiguan pads the same as any other VWs?

I did look at the hawk HPS and the HP+ pads, but haven't found any reviews or opinions relating specifically to Tiguans.

[Dingah]

ECS are excellent at customer relations.
Drop them an email or call them and they will give you the number.
With Red Stuff for the SQ5 I was unable to get them from any supplier in Oz so I picked them up in the USA when I was last over there on business.
You would not be disappointed with Hawk HPS either if you can get those in Oz - whether or not it is a Tiguan makes little difference as most of their gear is Golf based.

Dingah

[Melbourne_Tiggy]

I've used DBA42806XS crossed drilled / kangaroo paw front rotors and ferodo pads (front) brembo rear pads and they have been great.

[nat225]

My rear pads are starting to sound a bit worn and after miking them and the front rotors i'm pretty sure they would never make it to the end of a new set of pads.

After being quoted $1100 for OEM pads and rotors (all 4 corners) I'm now looking for alternatives.

Being a former Suabru driver I've defaulted to DBA 4000 T3 rotors and EBC Greenstuff pads as an after market setup, which I can get for $770.

Can anyone provide some thoughts or alternatives?

I don't do track days, but I do drive winding and steep roads most weekends.

The car in question is a 2011 Tiguan 147 tsi with 7 speed DSG.

Thanks!

You can just get Fremax rotors and Remsa pads from brakesdirect at Hendra.

Brakes Direct - Australia's Experts in Automotive Braking Components!

[nat225]

and with fresh fluid like at least super dot 4, you will be fine doing steep roads in the Tiguan.

i did 30 mnts of Happy Laps (decent pace but not full attack) at Lakeside in my 147TSI Tiguan and had zero fade with newish brake fluid. and stock pads and discs, which the fremax and remsa combo would perform better.

[Bydant]

I ended up getting the DBA42806S and DBA42807S rotors (Brakes Direct) with the Redstuff Pads: DP31998C, DP31518C (Amazon).

The pads that were in the US EBC application guide seemed incorrect. It stated DP31517C as the front pads, but those lack the wear sensor. DP31518C seems like the correct pad. Not sure if its a country based variation.

I went with the DBA 4000 rotors due to their wear characteristics and the pads because of low dust temp range and wear. I think in the future I will try other combos, but due to time limitations I went with what I knew.

At the same time I purchased a brake spreader kit with left and right hand spreaders and a mityvac to do the bleed of the brakes. Now I just have to wait as the goodies roll in.

Thanks for the input from everyone as it did help me.

[Umai Naa!!]

You'll need an EPB-capable scan tool to do the rear brakes.

[Bydant]

All good, I've got a ross-tech micro-can floating around somewhere. Thanks for the heads-up.

[Melbourne_Tiggy]

The DBA 4000 series have been great, much improved stopping power and paired with the red stuff sounds like a great combination. Keep us posted on the install and braking improvements.

[Bydant]

Got all the parts during the week and made an attempt to fit them on Thursday night. Fitted the rear pads, but not the rotors, due to not having a 14mm triple square / XZN bit.

Fitted the front rotors and brake pads without too much drama, apart from having to cut the wear sensor plug from the old pads to replace the plug on the new ones. The plug on the new pads was the same plug type, but male (you could plug the pads into each other).


I also attempted to bleed the brakes using a mityvac, but with no luck. Might try later this week.

I now have the m14xzn on order, so hopefully I can replace the rear rotors soon.

Replaced the DSG fluid at the same time. Man that stuff was dark.

[Melbourne_Tiggy]

How are the new discs and pads going? Noticeable improvement from stock?

[Bydant]

I didn't want to say anything until they were bedded-in (200-300km) as they will still have the "brake-in coating" on them. This is the same reason I haven't cleaned my wheels. That coating makes a mess in the bedding-in period.

[Bydant]

After a month of testing I feel that these pads have broken in. I'm quite happy with the combination and I feel that there is more modulation before ABS. Initial bit is good and a bit more finess is required for normal braking. I haven't had any noise and there is far less brake dust sticking to wheels. If I remember, I will update with how long they last.

Fitment was straight forward apart from the M14 XZN bit required for the rear callipers. It should also be noted that the calliper bolts on the rear are torque to yield style bolts and should not be reused (90nm + 90°). The front bolts are ok to reuse after cleaning (200nm).