Braking Question

[CarlW]

Soon be buying a MK5 GTI and first thing i was thinking of doing before anything else was making some slight changes to brakes as i've read through the forum that the standard breaks aren't really a good match for the cars performance where as Seat Leon's, Ibiza, R32's, S3's etc are fine as their suffice enough for the power of the vehicle their supplied on.

Would a case of changing the disk, pad and possibly brake fluid setup be the suffice enough idea to go through on the standard GTI as i won't really have enough funds to spend £1500 on a big break setup straight off but i would like a bit more confidence when breaking than what i've heard of the standard setup.

Next thing is what standard braking setup would be best for me to buy as there is a lot to choose from and i don't know whats good from bad and I'm sure you guys could throw some good suggestions up for me to have a look through and consider.

Thanks in advance.

[xjay1337]

I can't say I've noticed a problem with the brakes on my GTI at all, especially for a 200bhp hatch... more than good enough.

 

Large BRAKES do not improve braking automatically.

Fit new OEM discs, Ferodo DS2500 pads and ATE Superblue fluid.

 

Another possible option is 4pot Brembos from a Porsche 996TT , using 312mm discs.

[CarlW]

Good to get another persons opinion

Would around £1500 cover a brembo brake kit as you mentioned?
Just going off peoples reviews on the standard brake setup and seeing whats out there to improve whether it can be improved with grooved/dimpled/drilled discs and some decents pads etc cause i know theres a lot of choice and it just baffles me cause i've never give the standard brake setup a thought until now.

[rich83]

I can't say I've noticed a problem with the brakes on my GTI at all, especially for a 200bhp hatch... more than good enough.

 

Large BRAKES do not improve braking automatically.

Fit new OEM discs, Ferodo DS2500 pads and ATE Superblue fluid.

 

Another possible option is 4pot Brembos from a Porsche 996TT Porsche Boxster , using 312mm discs.

EFA!

[xjay1337]

Same thing they're all from a Porsche.
Either way fitting fancy smanchy discs is a waste of money. Slotted might help but just to improve bite . I'm sure others will agree but normally they're the people who sell them.
Fit better pads and fluid. That is the best bang for buck.

[CarlW]

Sorry don't know what EFA means

Thanks for your advice Jay i think i'll do as you've said until i actually need a bigger brake kit when i hopefully get a few hardware mods added

[GarethB]

R32 / S3 / Cupra 345mm upgrade?

Often come up in the for sale section for around £300 - very decent bolt up upgrade 

Much prefer the APs I have now, but for the money the 345mm OEM option shouldn't be ignored.

[xjay1337]

Sorry don't know what EFA means

Thanks for your advice Jay i think i'll do as you've said until i actually need a bigger brake kit when i hopefully get a few hardware mods added

Edited for accuracy.

I had R32 stoppers on my TDI.
My GTI pedal feels better.

[doylebros]

Sorry don't know what EFA means

Thanks for your advice Jay i think i'll do as you've said until i actually need a bigger brake kit when i hopefully get a few hardware mods added

Neither did I so I looked it up

EFA in a text message means "Edited For Accuracy".
Or
Acronym   Definition
EFA   Essential Fatty Acid
EFA   Education for All
EFA   Elektronische Fahrplanauskunft (German)
EFA   Equestrian Federation of Australia
EFA   European Free Alliance
EFA   European Film Awards
EFA   Exploratory Factor Analysis
EFA   Electronic Frontiers Australia Inc.
EFA   Epilepsy Foundation of America
EFA   Editorial Freelancers Association
EFA   European Fighter Aircraft
EFA   European Finance Association
EFA   École Française d'Athènes (French: French School of Athens; Athens, Greece)
EFA   Egyptian Football Association
EFA   Estimated Financial Assistance
EFA   Educational Foundation of America
EFA   Engineering Field Activity (SPAWAR)
EFA   European Federation of Asthma and Allergy Associations
EFA   European Fundraising Association
EFA   European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients Association (Brussels, Belgium)
EFA   Extended File Attribute
EFA   Environmental Foundation for Africa
EFA   Ecological Farming Association
EFA   Expedited Funds Availability Act
EFA   English Football Association
EFA   Engineering Failure Analysis
EFA   Edited For Accuracy
EFA   End-Fire Array
EFA   Everglades Forever Act of 1994
EFA   Experiment Flight Applications
EFA   External Function Acknowledge
EFA   Electrodiagnostic Functional Assessment
EFA   Early Flank Alarm
EFA   Environment in Focus Association
EFA   Engineering Flight Activity
EFA   Escuela Formativa Ágape (Guatemala school)
EFA   Event Frequency Analysis
EFA   Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (New York, NY)
EFA   Economics, Finance, Accounting (course; various schools)
EFA   Ecological Footprint Analysis (natural resource measurement)
EFA   Elmira Free Academy (Elmira, NY)
EFA   Emergency First Aid (health care; various locations)

[CarlW]

Thanks gareth i'll keep an eye out 

[Scottymon]

The GTI brakes are ok for standard power as long as you have good OEM pads/discs on there and most importantly a fresh brake fluid change - they are quite strong with nice new fluid.

Once you start looking at 250bhp+ it's time for S3/Cupra/R32 brakes at the very least - but they are REALLY heavy.  The 4 pot Porsche calipers are both lightweight and strong retaining a 312 disc... then onto a proper BBK.. depends how much you've got to throw at it, but in all honesty grab a fluid change and new discs/pads if required and see how you get on. You haven't got the car yet!

[CarlW]

That helps a little more so thanks for the input  Now all i have to do is find the GTI I've been searching for 

[MC71]

If your going to be adding power then upgrade your brakes instead of new pads, discs and fluid.

As mentioned, R32/S3 for valve and a very noticable improvement or 4 pot calipers such as the Porsche Brembo 986 kit (otherwise known as the NQSBBK on here) which are a LOT lighter weight option but cost around £800-£900 if your sourcing the parts for the BBK yourself or from £600 second hand on here.

Combine an BBK with some better rears such as S3 or Caddy 2k's.

Lots of threads on all the above.  

[Homer]

IMO there is really no point upgrading your breaks until you have increased the power in the car. That being said I am on a revo stage 2 and still have standard breaks and not had any issues in all honesty.

[homesqueeze]

I have never found my standard brakes to be lacking in power, they have saved my ass many a time!   My car is unmodded though, so if you uprating your power then you might need something better.