Ok, opinion time chaps. Since I have an occasionally sticky caliper and at least one disc <11mm (naughty previous owner!) it looks like I need to tackle the issue of brakes sooner rather than later. I've had a look through previous threads but not really found a satisfactory answer for this one.

I'm pondering the Renault discs/Ford calipers option for vented discs, but would that really give much improvement over standard if I'm staying with ~240mm diameter? I'm sure 258's aren't going to fit under my 13" alloys, so bigger isn't really an option on my current budget. Or should I just refurb a pair of standard calipers and drop £50 on a decent set of discs and pads from Skoda/Mintex/etc. instead? I know fresh brakes (and fluid) generally will probably be the biggest improvement over what I have now - stopping power is ultimately OK but the feel is rather odd and worryingly variable at times - but anything within reason that raises the baseline a worthwhile amount would be nice to have.

It would also be worth checking the condition of any flexible brake hoses, as when they are old they can expand when you press on the pedal.

if you've got a sticky caliper, just get a caliper rebuild kit from skoda, they are dead easy to strip and rebuild with simple hand tools

unless you are going bigger then would stick to std unless you are very hard on brakes. Mintex also fast road pads 1144 material for the skoda caliper so they may be a better compromise (not cheap pads tho).

lack of feel is more likely the rear needing adjusting up properly

unless you are going bigger then would stick to std unless you are very hard on brakes. Mintex also fast road pads 1144 material for the skoda caliper so they may be a better compromise (not cheap pads tho).

lack of feel is more likely the rear needing adjusting up properly

I just changed mine for some standard brembos on the front with ebc green pads and they are mint,

I brake sooo late and they stop me as well as my black diamonds on the corrado....

I've just finished a 100 mile road rally last night with my 256mm vented kit and 1144 pads and even thru a very twisty 14 mile selection we had no fade at all (and we cleaned it by 6 mins too so they had some hammer lol)

using vents and rear discs has certainly helped the tdi