Best value brake upgrade

[Redliner]

Looking at upgrading the brakes on my Polo Gti.
My disks are warped and deciding whether to spend a bit
more to upgrade the brakes at the same time.


What is the best value brake upgrade?

Audi TT brakes have been suggested.
Are there complete kits that include brakes, calipers, brake lines etc?
If not is there a list of parts would I need to source for the complete upgrade?

If I only upgrade the front will it affect the overall balance of braking or do we have to adjust the brake bias.

Thanks!

[h100vw]

Looking at upgrading the brakes on my Polo Gti.
My disks are warped and deciding whether to spend a bit
more to upgrade the brakes at the same time.


What is the best value brake upgrade?

Audi TT brakes have been suggested.
Are there complete kits that include brakes, calipers, brake lines etc?
If not is there a list of parts would I need to source for the complete upgrade?

If I only upgrade the front will it affect the overall balance of braking or do we have to adjust the brake bias.

Thanks!

I have driven a few Polo's with big brakes. The 312mm ones are really good but I think the 288s can work really well too. Just pick a pad with a good reputation and a known quality disc.

You can get kits from ECS tuning or source it all separately. The caliper carriers can be got off ebay I am sure. I might be wrong but I think you can use the standard calipers. You can on the Golf 4 and A3 which has the 288s standard.

Then you just need the discs and pads.

They don't get out of balance but upgrading the back gets you into vented TT/S3 stuff.

My S3 has standard brakes all round except the pads from GSL Rallysport (QFM) and it performs well on the track and the dust isn't a big issue.

Gavin

[kaanage]

Yep, pads and fluid upgrade to start with before changing rotor sizes.

If there's just an uneven transfer of the pad material to your rotors, you may be able to get them machined instead of needing replacement.

What sort of use are you intending? I also find the QFM (AR1M in my case) pads to be fade free on track and bite better than stock and on road, they still work fine from cold. I heard they will chew out rotors if you don't use them hard fairly regularly, though.

[nightphotographer]

I've recently been looking into this and apparently the calipers are different to the Golf IV ones which can be easily upgraded to 312mm. I couldn't find carriers that would, so I just bought Porsche Brembo 4 Pots - Brembo 312mm discs and pads, then adapters and braided Porsche to Vag lines. They're still on their way over from the UK but should be on for GAD (if that still happens).

[Smead]

Ha ha GAD's still on it's just the venue that needs to be finalised

[vwthunder]

I've recently been looking into this and apparently the calipers are different to the Golf IV ones which can be easily upgraded to 312mm. I couldn't find carriers that would, so I just bought Porsche Brembo 4 Pots - Brembo 312mm discs and pads, then adapters and braided Porsche to Vag lines. They're still on their way over from the UK but should be on for GAD (if that still happens).

Cant wait, going to be a big Polo turnout

[noone]

QFM pads are well priced, may give you what you want.
Value is likely TT's from the UK with rotors, pads, etc.

[Redliner]

Mainly street driven. I just want to make sure it can stop once I've done all the mods.
Might have to look at machining discs and running QFM pads for now.


Nightphotographer, do you mind giving me an idea of how much your Porsche Brembo setup cost.
Plus where did you get your adapters and braided lines.
Cheers.

[nightphotographer]

Nightphotographer, do you mind giving me an idea of how much your Porsche Brembo setup cost.
Plus where did you get your adapters and braided lines.

Bought separately 312mm Brembo grooved and drilled discs were $165 (exc delivery) for two. Caliper adapters, bolts and braided lines are £165 delivered to Aus which works out around $255. Then the calipers - well that varies, I got mine off a 2003 996 which was crashed at 50k - they're in perfect condition, and that's a really low KM for the UK so I paid a bit more. But generally calipers are around the $500 mark. And then you have to get everything over here, which is easy for me because my dad picks everything up and forwards it on to me...or like with my Bluemotion Front Lip - it get's brought over by my mum haha

[Redliner]

Bought separately 312mm Brembo grooved and drilled discs were $165 (exc delivery) for two. Caliper adapters, bolts and braided lines are £165 delivered to Aus which works out around $255. Then the calipers - well that varies, I got mine off a 2003 996 which was crashed at 50k - they're in perfect condition, and that's a really low KM for the UK so I paid a bit more. But generally calipers are around the $500 mark. And then you have to get everything over here, which is easy for me because my dad picks everything up and forwards it on to me...or like with my Bluemotion Front Lip - it get's brought over by my mum haha

Nice setup. What are you running on the back?

[nightphotographer]

Just stock - I know they're going to look very out of proportion, but the fronts were my priority. I'll upgrade the backs after GAD.

[Smead]

Cant wait, going to be a big Polo turnout

I can think of yours, mine, Ryan's, NP's and Mattys to start with

[Buller_Scott]

Cant wait, going to be a big Polo turnout

hey Troy how's things

what's GAD, and when is it? i'm going to be in australia for a month between early august and early september, so if GAD is in that period, i will try to make it along, in my jacked-up-on-coilovers polo, haha.

to the OP - i'd say go with good pads and fluid, plus new rotors, before anything else. you might be surprised - my polo tdi fronts are only 256mm, and the murdering that they will take over a road like reefton/great ocean road, without fading or reduced pedal feel, even when the smell from the fronts is putrid... it's very confidence inspiring, enough for me not to want the added unsprung weight of the gti brakes that i've got sitting in storage for like 2 years.

[Smead]

GAD is Shannons German Auto Display, formerly German Autofest, held in Canberra in September of each year.I'd say its as popular as the Nationals, DOVW and SEDF/Dubstitute. Generally speaking its Mercedes, BMW, Porsche and VW although this year its also got German rare marques in attendance (think NSU etc.). Its being held on the weekend of 22 - 23 Sep 12. below is the link to SGAD in the events:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f21/shannons-german-auto-display-formerly-german-autofest-cruise-22-23-sep-12-a-72918.html

[kaanage]

not to want the added unsprung weight of the gti brakes

+1. Also, they'd stop you downsizing to 14" rims.