AlexM Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Has anybody done this upgrade and do they make a big difference. I've seen them available for £650 which is a lot cheaper than the AP Racing or Brembo options. Would it be a worth while upgrade or should I spend more on some 4/6 pots? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 it should be a worthwhile upgrade but why not first get some better pads and see if you really need that major upgrade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted March 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Are the Ferodo ones the best available for the GTi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentandy Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Won't that affect the balance of the car adding heavier disks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack_is_Back Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Are the Ferodo ones the best available for the GTi? [/ QUOTE ] I've used the DS2500 pads in my last two cars and they definitely felt better than OEM. They also had a good wear-rate and didn't put out loads of brake dust like some aftermarket pads do. I'll be putting them on the GTI when required. Linky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 I wouldn't waste your money going from GTi to R32 brakes. The R32 brakes are woefully underpowered when it comes to prolonged use - I warped two sets of front disks on my R32 during trackdays, before deciding to go for the ECS Tuning Stage 5 upgrade www.ecstuning.com You'd be better off going for uprated pads if you like occassional fast road driving, or go for the AP upgrade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRR250 Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 What you need is a set of proper race spec Brakes. Something serious like oh I'd don't no... AP 4 pots. Thinking about it I've got a set for sale. Having driven an R32 the AP's are in a different league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 ....A big brake kit such as by AP Racing will be much better suited to the GTI than the R32 brakes. I privately discussed this exact point with AP's Senior Race Engineer while he was fitting mine and got an honest reply - He's not a salesman. There are specific reasons but I've forgotten the detail - Sorry!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 Happy birthday RR... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 ....Thanks but it's not my birthday until tomorrow! I don't mind eating two cakes though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mb Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 [ QUOTE ] ....A big brake kit such as by AP Racing will be much better suited to the GTI than the R32 brakes. I privately discussed this exact point with AP's Senior Race Engineer while he was fitting mine and got an honest reply - He's not a salesman. There are specific reasons but I've forgotten the detail - Sorry!! [/ QUOTE ] Happy Birthday Robin... APS told me they though the Mk V R32 brakes were excellent so they may be a worthwhile upgrade however having just shopped for MkIV R32 brakes there is little apart from OEM or very expensive out there so I would say from this POV sticking with GTi size brakes may give you more options + be cheaper come replacement time. (PS when I say "you" I mean the original poster as I know you have some rather nice AP brakes...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted April 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 Thanks for the info guys, i think i'll try changing the pads first, not planning any track days just some blasts around some b roads in the highlands. Does changing to braided brake hoses make much difference as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Does changing to braided brake hoses make much difference as well? [/ QUOTE ] slightly better pedal feel as the hose doesn't expand with braking pressure. it's probably best to combine these SS lines with upgraded brake fluid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Does changing to braided brake hoses make much difference as well? [/ QUOTE ] In a nutshell, no. You wouldn't be able to apply enough pressure to make the hoses swell enough to feel any difference. Unfortunately a lot of the hype about braided hoses (the standard ones are in fact braided, but they're wrapped in another coat of rubber) is the placebo effect - people are convinced they make a difference because they've spent the money. The only time it might be worth uprating the brake fluid would be if you're doing track days. I used to run standard fluid with the original disks and pads and the ECS Stage 5 kit and even on prolonged track-day usage, the pedal never went long. Stick to changing your pads if all you're after is spirited driving on B roads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted April 3, 2008 Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 What i find interesting is how SEATsport dropped the Brembo calipers from the leon cupra during testing and fitted ones similar to the R32 type not because of cost but because the Brembos were not passing there performance testing even after a few modified versions from brembo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted April 3, 2008 Report Share Posted April 3, 2008 That;s an interesting point Geoff. I thought the Brembos on the Leon Cupra R were over rated and more cosmetic to get the Brembo name than function. I'm by no means heavy on brakes but I could never get more than 20K out of a set of pads on the Leon. I find the brakes on the R32 excellent and for such a heavy car they seem to be lasting well also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted May 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 Roughly how long should a set of pads last? i've done 23000 miles and they're starting to feel as if they need changing. Is this normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhibbin Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 Can anyone point me in the right direction for improved brake pads ? Where can you get them from and are they easy to fit? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted May 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 Can anyone point me in the right direction for improved brake pads ?Where can you get them from and are they easy to fit? Thanks The Ferodo ones are meant to be excellent but i can't find a supplier for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 ....Ferodo DS2500 ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted May 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 ....Ferodo DS2500 ?? i've seen references to them and the DS2600, don't know if that a newer version or not. Can't find anywhere that sells them for the MK5 GTi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhibbin Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 i've seen references to them and the DS2600, don't know if that a newer version or not. Can't find anywhere that sells them for the MK5 GTi me neither found a US website that does sell pads but shipping cost is same as pad prices. http://www.ecstuning.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 ....AP Racing's Big Brake Kit includes the Ferodo DS2500. Btw, the AP's weigh two-thirds of the Mk5 GTI's standard front brakes, but they are bigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted May 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 ....AP Racing's Big Brake Kit includes the Ferodo DS2500.Btw, the AP's weigh two-thirds of the Mk5 GTI's standard front brakes, but they are bigger. Quite an expensive way to get the pads upgraded though. Would love them, just can't justify the cost at present Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 20, 2008 Report Share Posted May 20, 2008 Quite an expensive way to get the pads upgraded though. Would love them, just can't justify the cost at present ....Sorry Alex - I was only posting the info. Most certainly a VERY expensive way of getting DS2500's!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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