Brake Upgrade

[gavs]

Hi all,

Now that I have bigger wheels and better tyres, I figured I would look at upgrading the brakes next.

I know that for the most part, bigger brakes don't always equal better stopping power and that my 1st stop would be different pads and better fluid but the rotors on my car are tiny already and just look lost inside the 17" wheel.

Just wondering if bolting on a pair of GTi/TT calipers and carriers is an option, or would I have to change the hub spindle also...

Cheers,
Gav

[Manaz]

The hub/spindle are the same on all the FWD Mk4s I think, but the AWD ones are slightly different. The GTI didn't get substantially bigger front rotors, you'd need to go to either TT/Bora V6 4Motion (312mm) for a decent upgrade, or the R32 option (334mm) though they require either OEM 17" or OEM/3rd party 18" wheels, and even then you have to worry about offset and internal clearance, not to mention that they go for ~$1000 a pop.

You may need an adapter (a spacer, very small, quite cheap) to fit any of those to standard FWD setup.

I have a set calipers/carriers to suit the 312mm front rotors that came on the TT/Bora V6 4Motion if you're interested - selling for $300. I have the old rotors too if want them, though for the price (and considering the cost to freight them from Sydney) I'd suggest just grabbing a new set (mine would be close to minimum thickness).

[vwthunder]

You missed out someone just sold some for about $170

[Manaz]

You missed out someone just sold some for about $170

That would have been an absolute bargain it it were indeed the OEM 312mm setup.

That said, my $300 is negotiable.

[gavs]

Yeah, when I noticed that fuzion had them for sale I was about to grab them untill I saw the last post that said they were sold!!!

Manaz, I would look at buying after-market rotors anyway, probably go for slotted rotors to help the off-gassing. I know they will chew pads quicker but for that slight increase in performance can mean the difference between hitting little Stacy when she runs across the road or stopping just in time.

I have to buy 4 tyres to fit my new wheels 1st, so I probably won't be buying untill after Christmas, holy crap, I just realised that Christmas is only 24 days away!