Brakes..... Talk to me!!

[Paradox1]

Ok I'm not trackday king but I do like a spirited drive.

Ive got the stock 312 brake at the moment but they don't fill me with much confidence.

My options are: -
OEM 312mm - braided lines, Upgrade Pads disks & Fluid

NQSBBK - Calipers, brackets, Braided lines, Pads,Disks & Fluid

R32 345mm setup - Braided lines, Pads,Disks & Fluid

has anybody tried all of these and whats your feedback

[howie1987]

I had the oem brakes and braided lines and better pads and disc do help.

Now got the s3/r32 setup and its quite a noticable difference. other members on here have recommended me get the 340mm discs instead of the the 345mm due to a lip forming and 340mm are lighter so worth keeping that in mind.

Not tried the others.

[petesimcock]

I went for braided lines and ds2500 pads on my standard calipers but they still weren't the greatest. Changed to the NQSBBK with braided lines and Pagid pads about 6 months ago and loving it. Really nice pedal feel, look amazing and have a considerable weight advantage over the standard calipers, let alone the R32 set up.

[Paradox1]

Thanks guys,

How does they new brakes deal with fade. Give you much confidence that you can stop intime?

[pudding]

What about MK7 GTI brakes, and the dampers?  Do either of them fit the MK5?  I keep hearing great things about both!

I couldn't believe how heavy the brakes were on my old R32, so they won't be going on my GTI.  They're pretty effective though.

I must admit, and I sound like a broken record, but I haven't yet found the standard brakes to be woefully inadequate.  I'm just on OEM discs and pads, recent pair of rear calipers (old ones seized solid) and they feel great.  The only time I've had a moderately brown pant moment was coming off a motorway at 120ish on a downhill slip road and I thought I was going to run out of road, but they did stop me, just.  My fault for driving so fast, but that accounts for about 1% of my daily driving.  Around town and more sensible speeds the stockers are awesome....and light!

[Shoduchi]

What about MK7 GTI brakes, and the dampers?  Do either of them fit the MK5?  I keep hearing great things about both!

I couldn't believe how heavy the brakes were on my old R32, so they won't be going on my GTI.  They're pretty effective though.

I must admit, and I sound like a broken record, but I haven't yet found the standard brakes to be woefully inadequate.  I'm just on OEM discs and pads, recent pair of rear calipers (old ones seized solid) and they feel great.  The only time I've had a moderately brown pant moment was coming off a motorway at 120ish on a downhill slip road and I thought I was going to run out of road, but they did stop me, just.  My fault for driving so fast, but that accounts for about 1% of my daily driving.  Around town and more sensible speeds the stockers are awesome....and light!

I really think the NQSBBK would be a great upgrade for you (lighter than OEM or similar weight and much more powerful). Bigger brake discs (TTRS, Brembo 17Z or 18Z) only for track use, I think.

[flashp]

S3 front and rear will be a big step up for a good price.

[Shoduchi]

S3 front and rear will be a big step up for a good price.

They are much better but there's the weight issue with them. I have the fronts on my GT Sport and I noticed after I had them fitted. Of course we get used to the added weight after a while.

I'd keep an eye out for a good condition NQSBBK in 2nd hand.

[flashp]

S3 front and rear will be a big step up for a good price.

They are much better but there's the weight issue with them. I have the fronts on my GT Sport and I noticed after I had them fitted. Of course we get used to the added weight after a while.

I'd keep an eye out for a good condition NQSBBK in 2nd hand.

Absolutely, depends on OP's budget. He's given examples that are quite dissimilar in cost and spec. as being an option.
 

[Paradox1]

I don't want to spend a grand on brakes. More like 5-6would suit me. Which is better against fade, nqsbbk or r32 setup?

[Shoduchi]

I don't want to spend a grand on brakes. More like 5-6would suit me. Which is better against fade, nqsbbk or r32 setup?

It depends on what pads you get, I think. The R32 setup uses a bigger disc so it will soak more heat before getting too hot. You'll have to think about the weight and the use you'll give to them.

[Paradox1]

I think the most I wouls stretch my budget to would be the 996 setup. but isit really worth the extra money?

Whatever setup I do buy, it will have braided lines, ds2500 pads and uprated disks to get the best out of the setup

[pudding]

What about MK7 GTI brakes, and the dampers?  Do either of them fit the MK5?  I keep hearing great things about both!

I couldn't believe how heavy the brakes were on my old R32, so they won't be going on my GTI.  They're pretty effective though.

I must admit, and I sound like a broken record, but I haven't yet found the standard brakes to be woefully inadequate.  I'm just on OEM discs and pads, recent pair of rear calipers (old ones seized solid) and they feel great.  The only time I've had a moderately brown pant moment was coming off a motorway at 120ish on a downhill slip road and I thought I was going to run out of road, but they did stop me, just.  My fault for driving so fast, but that accounts for about 1% of my daily driving.  Around town and more sensible speeds the stockers are awesome....and light!

I really think the NQSBBK would be a great upgrade for you (lighter than OEM or similar weight and much more powerful). Bigger brake discs (TTRS, Brembo 17Z or 18Z) only for track use, I think.

Looks like a good upgrade but still uses the standard discs.   What is the issue with the standard brakes?  Fade too easily or just not enough stopping power?

I think the only way to address both of those is with much bigger discs and pads and that is when things can get expensive!

[Shoduchi]

Looks like a good upgrade but still uses the standard discs.   What is the issue with the standard brakes?  Fade too easily or just not enough stopping power?

I think the only way to address both of those is with much bigger discs and pads and that is when things can get expensive!

They are 4 pot calipers. The way you can modulate and press the brake pedal is much easier and they'll have more area applied to the pad and that will give them more strength to brake the disc than the one pot sliding OEM caliper.

I'm sure my 6 pot calipers are more powerful than the NQSBBK but the added weight might not be worth it for road use only. You don't brake as hard and as frequently as on a track, so I'm sure the NQSBBK can handle a fast road car without fading easily with good pads.

Pads size:
OEM front GTI:


NQSBBK:


Brembo 17Z for Brembo 18Z calipers retrofit:

OEM

[oak_grun]

I was in the same predicament wanting to upgrade the brakes on my edition 30. I've opted to go with ttrs setup.

Looked at the 345mm R32 brakes but for not much more you can get a ttrs setup.

Can't wait to get them fitted this week.

They look massive when compared to 312mm standard setup.