As discussed in previous threads I said I would do a 'before' and 'after' video of a 60mph - 0mph stop with standard 288mm brakes and then with 312mm brakes, to see if there is any difference other than 'feel'

This is a hotly debated topic. Some people swear by the 312mm upgrade, others say it provides a negligible improvement in braking performance. So I thought I'd introduce some VERY primitive science. This would be better done on a track with repeated stops from higher speeds - but I don't have access to a piece of road suitable for that.

Here is the standard 288mm 60-0 stop:

YouTube - For Information only: 60mph - 0 with standard 288mm brakes

I make it about 4 seconds from 60 to 0. This is very approximate, obviously.

312mm 60-0 stop to follow soon...

Edited 19 May, 200917 yr by yegnold

Just a thought, but if you can find a length of straight NSL country lane would you be able to brake at a specific lamp post or marker and measure the stopping distance in feet rather than time?? Might be more accurate and easier to compare differences, even the visible difference as you will know where you originally stopped on the 288 and can see how much less ground you have travelled stopping on the 312

Just a thought, but if you can find a length of straight NSL country lane would you be able to brake at a specific lamp post or marker and measure the stopping distance in feet rather than time?? Might be more accurate

Would probably be a better way of doing things, yes! Filming is tricky as well

But how do you guarantee that you start braking at smack on the same point? It's incredibly difficult in my opinion. Maybe if I had a passenger they could shout 'now' as the B pillar of the car passes a landmark, and then me brake immediately. That way I can measure including my 'reaction time' both times and calculate a percentage difference (if there is one)...

Alternatively if your down my way after you've had your brakes changed and they've bedded in i'll happily offer up a side by side comparison! Should we be able to find a strip of suitable road

Would probably be a better way of doing things, yes! Filming is tricky as well

But how do you guarantee that you start braking at smack on the same point? It's incredibly difficult in my opinion. Maybe if I had a passenger they could shout 'now' as the B pillar of the car passes a landmark, and then me brake immediately. That way I can measure including my 'reaction time' both times and calculate a percentage difference (if there is one)...

I did say MIGHT :P

this should turn out to be a good thread, I'm after new brakes as i get a lot of vibration through mine braking :confused: Would be good to see how much difference these make!

this should turn out to be a good thread, I'm after new brakes as i get a lot of vibration through mine braking :confused: Would be good to see how much difference these make!

Vibration or the ABS working?

If vibration then you need new discs/pads.

In fairness I don't think this is a fair experiment.

Look at what I just discovered

What's wrong? They're just well worn in

I thought the right hand one looked particularly low myself

That is still some rapid stopping on stock brakes!

I'm thinking about the 312mm Audi TT ones for mine too. Yes or no? If not what are the alternatives?

How anyone can say there isnt much of a differnce is beyond me! There a world away from the stock brakes, and worth every penny!

i can agree they make a world of difference

I thought we agreed that in theory, if you used the same tyres on the same bit of tarmac and the outside temperature was the same, then broke hard until the ABS started to cut in. Then there will not be any difference in stopping time/distance. However you will be able to stop faster with bigger brakes with the same brake peddle pressure.

I will be interested if this theory is true, but remember to retest the larger brakes when they are fully run in.

Ed when did you come down here, take off my wheels, and take pics of my pads?!

however this little lot arrived with me yesterday :thumbup:and the discs are on top of each other before anyone comments about 1 being missing

so time to break out the Hammerite smooth and get them "greened up"

However having found one of the pads in the new set has a wear monitor does the standard Fabia set up have a similar system so i can make sure i use as much as possibleon the 288's before changing them?

However having found one of the pads in the new set has a wear monitor does the standard Fabia set up have a similar system so i can make sure i use as much as possibleon the 288's before changing them?

[EDIT: wrong info, corrected by Wardy later in thread]

Edited 8 May, 200917 yr by yegnold
wrong info given

I thought we agreed that in theory, if you used the same tyres on the same bit of tarmac and the outside temperature was the same, then broke hard until the ABS started to cut in. Then there will not be any difference in stopping time/distance. However you will be able to stop faster with bigger brakes with the same brake peddle pressure.

I will be interested if this theory is true, but remember to retest the larger brakes when they are fully run in.

Yes your theory is right, If you are stopping a moving car faster then the distance you travelled is also shorter. As a true comparison with OE brakes, Yengold should be using the same brand off pads that are well worn in as you say.

All brake pads are OEM items, so I'm guessing they're the same material - you'll have to wait a long time for me to wear the newer pads down to the same level as the ones in the original video, though...

All brake pads are OEM items, so I'm guessing they're the same material - you'll have to wait a long time for me to wear the newer pads down to the same level as the ones in the original video, though...

By the time your pads have worn down, the road you used could have been resurfaced which would distort any comparison further. I'd give up on your experiment now and just enjoy the superior stopping power of your 312's.

The fabia does have a similar set up (as I understand it, anyway - at least the lead and plug is there...) - but I would never rely on that system to judge when to change brake pads .

Well it's going in for am MOT next week so i'll get an informed opinion on how much life they have left then.

Although having bought the kit this month I could do with waiting until next month to pay the labour to get them fitted

All brake pads are OEM items

are you sure? I thought the pads supplied with those second hand 312's were Ferodo jobbies?

If they are then I didn't know, haha

pah! Useless single slidey calipery...!

What you need is more pistons and a longer pad:-

J.

The Fabia doesn't have a pad monitoring system. You can safely remove that cable.

Steve

The Fabia doesn't have a pad monitoring system. You can safely remove that cable.

Steve

Keep the cable and plug in case your reverse light one breaks.