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312 Brake Upgrade - real world improvement?

sko-with-go
in Skoda Fabia Mk1 (1999-2007)

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I've just started another thread as I need to do some work on my cars brakes following the MOT. This was partially expected, as I knew the discs and pads needed changing, but I wasn't expecting a front caliper rebuild on the offside and a rear caliper rebuild on the nearside.

The rear is leaking, so definitely needs a rebuild, and the front is binding so that sounds like a rebuild also.

I'm tempted to just buy a set of reconditioned 312 calipers and carriers from ebay (as others have done) for £165, rather than mess about rebuilding the front standard caliper. I dont think there's a massive diference in price between 312 discs and pads and standard ones, so my total additional cost will be around £180 - compared to remaining standard and rebuilding the caliper.

Question is, are 312's really that much better than the standard set up? and is the braking not slightly unbalanced without an upgrade to the rear also?

many thanks for any input ;)

yes they are that much better.

I needed new front discs and pads and it never crossed my mind NOT to upgrade to 312's.

They stop harder and fade less; and as you say the prices for the consumables aren't that much more.

Given they were standard fit for anything of a similar age with 170+/- bhp I consider them a must on a remapped Fabia.

The arguement about the rears is that they don't do a lot of everyday braking anyways (just hand brake) so there is little point in upgrading them, and given that most of the weight in under the bonnet i'm tempted to agree.

That said after 20 minutes abuse on track my rears were just as hot as the fronts! :D

something else to consider is that if you wanted to save some pennies I'd imagine a wanted post on here would quickly yeild a pair of 288 calipers from someone who has upgraded for a relatively small amount, which would save you rebuilding your dying one.

Personally speaking my 288 calipers have sat in a box in the garage untouched, unused and unthought about since I put my 312's on!

312's are superb, once bedded-in they give a lot more pedal feel and confidence, and are much less prone to fading under heavy use.

Regardless what you use the car for, I would recommend it as one of the best modifications you can make to a Fabia. You won't notice any balance issues unless you're driving like a complete loony. Even in standard form, the fronts do nearly all of the work.

I even went to the hassle of fitting them to my non-vRS Fabia (256mm standard front brakes) which involved sourcing different hubs (you won't need to do this) and I'd do it again in a flash.

Andrew

  • Author

Ok that's really useful stuff, many thanks

If you do decide to replace your standard calipers, give me a shout as mine will be coming off very soon.

  • Author

I'm pretty much decided on the 312's now really, but what's the going rate for standard second hand calipers?

I got mine for £90, but they were dirty and 2nd hand, and not nice clean refurbed ones.

I was in a similar situation as you. Standards needed new discs, though I may as well upgrade at the same time.

I've just realised... how much of a bargin those are!

I paid £172 for one rear caliper fitted with no new carrier, for my old 182.

those are so CHEEEP!

If you need new brakes anyway, perfect time. I`d say I dont drive THAT hard tbh, be even for me they have made a massive difference. Its a easy straightforward conversion, and takes very little time over doing pads and discs alone.

Matt

And looks better behind the wheels :thumbup:

Mine will be on in the next week or so.

Really looking forward to better brakes :thumbup:

I now have a matched set of Pagid discs and pads to go on mine.

Yeah they look so impressive behind standard wheels

  • Author

It is worth buying the calipers from that company linked to above for £165 and paying around £90 for pagid disks and pads instead of the ones included in the set? so that's either £230, or £255 to include Pagid discs and pads like these seen here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gen-PAGID-VW-Golf-MK4-TT-front-Brake-Discs-and-pads-NEW-/400183065464?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5d2cc4fb78

Edited by sko-with-go

It is worth buying the calipers from that company linked to above for £165 and paying around £90 for pagid disks and pads instead of the ones included in the set? so that's either £230, or £255 to include Pagid discs and pads like these seen here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gen-PAGID-VW-Golf-MK4-TT-front-Brake-Discs-and-pads-NEW-/400183065464?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5d2cc4fb78

You see where it says 1 sold on this item.... That's me. :smirk:

Offer £80 ;)

My offer was accepted immediately, come to think of it, give £75 a try.

I wish I had :doh:

You see where it says 1 sold on this item.... That's me. :smirk:

Offer £80 ;)

My offer was accepted immediately, come to think of it, give £75 a try.

I wish I had :doh:

:'( were my discs & brand new pads not good enough???

  • Author

You see where it says 1 sold on this item.... That's me. :smirk:

Offer £80 ;)

My offer was accepted immediately, come to think of it, give £75 a try.

I wish I had :doh:

How long did it take them to turn up and do they look genuine? only I need to get stuck in this weekend!

  • Author

:'( were my discs & brand new pads not good enough???

What are you selling? pm me if you like ;)

nothing selling dude - freebies

I upgraded to some grooved discs & ds2500 pads, so gave Garry a set of mintex discs (with about 8k on them) and a brand new set of mintex pads. Admittedly the housing on the discs was rusting (a fairly common issue), but nothing a wire brush & some silver hammerite wouldn't sort.

As you're local to him, if he doesn't need them, you could sort something out ;)

  • Author

nothing selling dude - freebies

I upgraded to some grooved discs & ds2500 pads, so gave Garry a set of mintex discs (with about 8k on them) and a brand new set of mintex pads. Admittedly the housing on the discs was rusting (a fairly common issue), but nothing a wire brush & some silver hammerite wouldn't sort.

As you're local to him, if he doesn't need them, you could sort something out ;)

Oh, ok.... I wait for a bit to see if he suggests anything ;)

How long did it take them to turn up and do they look genuine? only I need to get stuck in this weekend!

They took about 4 days to come. They definitely look genuine and

are painted discs as they should be. I am in no doubt they are

genuine Pagid parts.

I have a set of perfectly good 2nd hand discs and brand new Mintex pads which I acquired

from Gareth. I only didn't fit them to mine because I've treated my car to new calipers

carriers and suspension too and I want it looking all new when it's fitted so in the end I

went for new discs too. I hope Gareth understands, I just want my arches to look

pretty (for about two weeks probably....)

They are perfectly sound and the pads are unused and still boxed.

Perhaps to save a few quid you could do a deal with Gareth and paypal him up and then

collect them from me.I was going to hand them back to him next time I see him.

If you want to PM him regarding a price and you can pay him and collect

them from me in Keynsham? He's a very nice chap and I'm sure you can sort something out. :thumbup:

He's a very nice chap

Dude, i'm touched by your kind words :blush:

  • Author

Dude, i'm touched by your kind words :blush:

Very nice Chap indeed :)

  • Author

They took about 4 days to come. They definitely look genuine and

are painted discs as they should be. I am in no doubt they are

genuine Pagid parts.

I have a set of perfectly good 2nd hand discs and brand new Mintex pads which I acquired

from Gareth. I only didn't fit them to mine because I've treated my car to new calipers

carriers and suspension too and I want it looking all new when it's fitted so in the end I

went for new discs too. I hope Gareth understands, I just want my arches to look

pretty (for about two weeks probably....)

They are perfectly sound and the pads are unused and still boxed.

Perhaps to save a few quid you could do a deal with Gareth and paypal him up and then

collect them from me.I was going to hand them back to him next time I see him.

If you want to PM him regarding a price and you can pay him and collect

them from me in Keynsham? He's a very nice chap and I'm sure you can sort something out. :thumbup:

Have swapped a couple of PM's with Gareth and made a small payment as requested, so will PM re collection. Only in Stoke Gifford, so about 20 mins round the ring road.

Gareth, what a top bloke, I'll get on and order just the calipers and carriers now :)

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