R36 Brake Replacement

[marts86]

Following my recent 105K service, I was advised that I need to replace the front discs and pads, as well as the rear pads. Can anyone make some recommendations as to what they use on their R36, stay with OEM parts or any particular aftermarket recommendations?
I have seen references to the ATE Ceramic pads, which may be an interesting option.
Anything that can help reduce the amount of dark dust on the silver fronts rims is going to make life easier, however brake performance and longevity is the key.
Thanks.

[kamold]

ATE Ceramic.
ATE Ceramic.
or
ATE Ceramic.

Bye bye dust. Hello OEM performance. Either solid or slotted ATE rotors, whatever takes your fancy.

There are of course other options but there have been a number of R36 owners have gone this route and none have apparently regretted the decision.
Eurobarn parts in Gosford can sell them to you for your local preferred independent to install. Or ask them to source.

[Domatron]

If you change to the ATE ceramic pads do you have to change the discs too? Or can you keep the owl discs?


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[Domatron]

*OEM not owl


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[kamold]

You can just use the OEM rotors.
Although they are likely going to need replacing also. ATE have solid OEM style rotors, or slotted if you need or want them.

[3C4M Guy]

I’m very interested in this topic as one day I will have to make the choice between OEM and ATE ceramic.

My only reservation about ceramic is mentioned on the ATE web site that states “ATE Ceramic is not a high-performance pad; it is a pad designed for use in normal road traffic.”
ATE Brakes -ATE Ceramic brake pads

So whilst ceramic should be as good as OEM (but without the dust and noise), they will not perform better. They also perform best with normal smooth rotors that are not cross-drilled.
ATE claim that rotors last longer. I would be interested to hear from people who are using ATE ceramic whether the pads themselves are lasting longer.

[kamold]

If you are looking for track performance pads/rotors then this is not what you're after.
These are meant to perform similarly to the OEM pads, minus the dust.

Can't comment on pad life myself as I've only done about 30k on them.

[3C4M Guy]

If you are looking for track performance pads/rotors then this is not what you're after.
These are meant to perform similarly to the OEM pads, minus the dust.

Can't comment on pad life myself as I've only done about 30k on them.

Well kamold, 30K and going strong is impressive already. I'm getting 40K max out of OEM pads with reasonably kind braking. Have you measured pad thickness at all?

[kamold]

No I haven't measured them recently sorry.

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[snerlo]

I haven't done that much on mine but I find the ATE just fine. I replaced all of mine about this time last year. If you are not tracking the car, ATE will be your option.

[garronleslie]

Hi Guys,
I know not an R36, but my 2.0 FSI Jetta GT, replaced the discs and pads all round with a set from Stoptec in the US (eBay store).

Compared to VW prices with shipping from the US - could almost take the fam on a holiday with what I saved.

Full OE sizes on pads and rotors, no adapters, drilling stuff, just off with the old and on with the new.
Drilled slotted with ceramic pads.
No dust.
Brilliant from cold performance
No squeal
Supplied pad sensors - plug and play.
and the life is staggering - noting that a Jetta is a lot less in weight than the r36.

Now that I have my R36 in the drive, the brakes from stoptec will be my first mod.

[joedm]

Where can one get the minimum thickness of the rotors before they need to be replaced?
I have a Passat B7 wagon.

And can we re-use the sensors or do they also have to be ordered with the replacement pads?

[Umai Naa!!]

If they're genuine or OEM rotors, it'll be stamped in the 'hat' or outer edge.

Sensors will come with the pads if you buy genuine or OEM. You can't buy the sensors seperate, and I don't think the old ones can be re-used. The main thing is you order the right pads for the car.