What did you do to your Polo today?

[Stuwey]

I'm guessing he grew fond of the noise from the RE55s

Nah, never owned a set myself - My mate's Targa Bini. Fun car!

Really not sure where to next - I want a Defender, but that's gonna be a whole wad of money which I don't have. In saying that, there's not many cars out there that I actually want to own. So many plastic boring shopping runabouts with no soul, and I just can't bring myself to do that.

Something related to my Polo 'today' - Sold my OZs. They're off to a new life on an 86.

[Bullet Fast]

Xr5 focus? Rx8? 350z?

Dunno. I carry mountain bikes everywhere. Either on the roof or a tow bar. I'd like to have a steer of a 350Z. Maybe XR5 would work, but they don't come with cruise control. Guys who own Rx8s tend to buy something a little more practical afterwards, like a Focus ST or a Golf. It'd be nice to skip the mistake and jump right to the conclusion.

Funny, watched a Mk1 Escort on board video the other day. Had me pining for my RS2000...

[Stuwey]

I'd sell mine for something that drove, not better... but sharper. Stuwey did you have an idea what you'd move to? I drove a Clio RS200 which is well executed but doesn't feel fast. I can't imagine much short of an STI or Megane RS, Focus RS etc would really replicate the visceral, mechanical feel of the uber Polo.

Sorry mate - completely missed this. Have you driven a BMW Mini? R53 Cooper Ss are a blast and make a tweaked Polo feel positively dull in comparison. A raw, mechanical fast car would have to be an EVO8 or 9. Try an old Mini! I have one that I look after and drive it annually for a little while. Man, 'normal' cars feel so boring afterward. I couldn't drive one all the time though.. To think that's exactly what I used to do for years before the Polo. In saying that, a Defender is mechanical and tactile, and has feeling - they're just not fast.

[Necrolust]

Scored a sweet Forge 008 DV + intake pipe the other day from yahoo auctions japan for like $160NZD. Sounds sweet

[PoloGIT]

Sorry mate - completely missed this. Have you driven a BMW Mini? R53 Cooper Ss are a blast and make a tweaked Polo feel positively dull in comparison. A raw, mechanical fast car would have to be an EVO8 or 9. Try an old Mini! I have one that I look after and drive it annually for a little while. Man, 'normal' cars feel so boring afterward. I couldn't drive one all the time though.. To think that's exactly what I used to do for years before the Polo. In saying that, a Defender is mechanical and tactile, and has feeling - they're just not fast.

Funny I considered the R53 S before getting my Polo. Just couldn't get past the girly looks. Not that the Polo looks masculine or anything. Probably if I'd taken it for a drive I may have been sold on the idea. No doubt been discussed a million times but what are people's thoughts in mkv golf gtis and r32s? Too soft?

[sambb]

The old shape Renault Megane RS was meant to have been a pretty awesome car. Can be had in 4 door too. Cup chassis etc.

[rgvlee]

Bit of routine maintenance over the weekend

Moved over to bkr7e plugs
Serviced the K&N
Serviced the forge dv
Fixed up a blown headlight

[seangti]

Installed a new set of 312mm DBA 4000 front rotors to compliment new QFM A1RM pads. The car stops phenomenally well.

Previous rotors had a bad shudder mainly once heated. The inside of the front left had a solid brake pad imprint... that's probably the culprit. I'll get em checked over and if safe to do so, get them machined and keep as spares.


Freemax also do a 312mm for ~$150 a set. Bargain, and apparently not bad quality. Could get almost 3 sets of DBA's for that price.

[rgvlee]

Installed a new set of 312mm DBA 4000 front rotors to compliment new QFM A1RM pads. The car stops phenomenally well.

Previous rotors had a bad shudder mainly once heated. The inside of the front left had a solid brake pad imprint... that's probably the culprit. I'll get em checked over and if safe to do so, get them machined and keep as spares.


Freemax also do a 312mm for ~$150 a set. Bargain, and apparently not bad quality. Could get almost 3 sets of DBA's for that price.

I reckon a pair of 312s will be on my to buy list when the current lot wear out.
As luck would have a 312 kit came up recently but I'd already bought a pair of 288mm dba t2

[seangti]

I reckon a pair of 312s will be on my to buy list when the current lot wear out.
As luck would have a 312 kit came up recently but I'd already bought a pair of 288mm dba t2

The increased braking capacity is quite awesome. Though I have brembo 4 pots, I drove Gavin's car at lakeside a few weeks ago, he has Audi TT calipers (I believe) on the 312mm brakes. They don't have the initial bite of the brembo which can be overly sensitive, but ultimate braking capacity is still right up there. Not sure the price of the calipers, but money well spent for enthusiastic driving, and they fit under the 16" wheels unlike the Brembo's.

[kaanage]

Eddy used stock size brakes for a long time. From memory, he changed due to overheating issues rather than lack of braking power

[rgvlee]

I have a trackday next friday so will see how remsa + 288mm dba t2 go vs stock

[seangti]

A race oriented pad on the standard rotor/caliper will suffice in most average punter conditions, though Wakefield is not as hard on brakes as the QLD tracks, and not as hard on tyres either. From my knowledge, Eddy ran race oriented pads, not the street stuff.

I wouldn't be overly worried about the remsa's on a hillclimb unless there's a heavy downhill braking situation. Just brake a little earlier in that case as they don't last well at threshold braking.

Remsa's on the qld tracks were barely adequate at race pace, at 90% pace they are fine, when you really start asking more lap after lap, you will exceed the pads capability, I've done this on both on a 288mm T2 rotor and 312mm T3 rotor. Just drive within their capability and they're a good pad.

I'll know how the A1RM's hold up after the weekend

[Eddy]

Eddy used stock size brakes for a long time. From memory, he changed due to overheating issues rather than lack of braking power

Hoyhoy.

Greg knows the story & is spot on.
Stock brakes with extra cooling plus dam good pads, Ferodo DS-3000, I cooked DS-2500's in a hurry.

[Eddy]

Hoyhoy.

Wakefield is very hard on brakes & tyres, when doing sub 1'10"'s.