I'm really beginning to think brakes are the first things I should upgrade now. On two occaisions this week, the brakes have badly let me down (is it this cold weather?), by having virtually no power on a couple of occaisions. The first time was when coming down a slip road after exiting the A1, prodded the brakes, and seriously wondered whether I was going to stop in time... I did of course, but only just and it was a seriously worrying lapse in braking performance, especially considering how quickly you can go in one of these cars.

The second time was this morning, some **** in a lorry decided he would just stop in the middle of a 60 road to answer his fecking mobile, and I was going to go past but a car came screaming the other way out of the corner which was only another 100 or so yards further on, so again I had to brake quite hard, and again, no power. Didnt hit it, but it was way closer than it should have been.

I cant understand why all of a sudden the brakes just seem so appallingly bad. I wasnt even driving hard, but yet they barely seemed capable of even normal performance.

So, for me, this aspect is swaying my decision somewhat; although I am seriously looking forward to getting this car chipped and what have you, there is no way on gods earth I would trust more power to this car knowing that the brakes randomly lose so much effectiveness at times when you least expect it.

So my question is... what would be better, getting a Ferrodo pad upgrade and fluid upgrade for the existing discs + callipers or ditching them altogether and getting an OEM 312mm setup with OEM pads, and then later upgrading to Ferrodo's when I can afford it?

Were the roads wet both times, and had they been salted?

I know this may not help you much but it's all about how much

was the abs going crazy?

Speaking from an Octy POV....the Ferrodo pads works wellwith the OEM discs.

If you change the discs no point in retaining the standard pads IMHO...upgrade to Ferrodos as well.

Fluid...Castrol Response Super Dot 4.

. It's almost like they hit a certain mileage/wear level and then they are useless

Thats how I found it. At first it would need a decent run before the brakes overheated. Then after a few miles they just didn't like to be used :eek:

So my question is... what would be better, getting a Ferrodo pad upgrade and fluid upgrade for the existing discs + callipers or ditching them altogether and getting an OEM 312mm setup with OEM pads, and then later upgrading to Ferrodo's when I can afford it?

I think you'll notice an immediate improvement doing the pads and fluid in the existing setup (assuming you don't have an underlying problem with the brakes ), but it's all down to how much you want to spend.

Chris

Were the roads wet both times, and had they been salted?

Yes, we have had a lot of snow and ice lately.

I think you hit the nail on the head there mate, they are very sharp and responsive on mine yet other members claim the same as yourself. It's almost like they hit a certain mileage/wear level and then they are useless, however once you have driven a MK3 Mondeo (new shape), the brakes are a huge improvement.

Actually, most of the time I have found them to be fine, but this has caused me to think again. It is dangerous because when they are fine, they brake well, are sharp and they do somewhat encourage you to press on, but of course when you do and the brakes let you down, then its hard to put faith into them again IMO.

was the abs going crazy?

Nope, just no power or bite whatsoever.

Speaking from an Octy POV....the Ferrodo pads works wellwith the OEM discs.

If you change the discs no point in retaining the standard pads IMHO...upgrade to Ferrodos as well.

Fluid...Castrol Response Super Dot 4.

Yes... I was sort of hoping the pad upgrade would be sufficient... after all I have found the brakes good enough up until this point' date=' and my only complaint was a bit of fade under hard road driving... but this was worrying on both occaisions, as you can imagine.

I think you'll notice an immediate improvement doing the pads and fluid in the existing setup (assuming you don't have an underlying problem with the brakes ), but it's all down to how much you want to spend.

Dont think theres a problem with the brakes, they were fine for the rest of the journey, just like the other day... or at least I hope theres nothing wrong...

Sounds like a layer of water on the discs. Quite common when driving in wet conditions....if you can..drags brakes every now and again.

Apparently some manufacturers now provide such an option.

Could be right there mate; it has only ever seemed to happen in poor conditions so far. Its pretty scary when it happens though. :thumbdwn:

Cadence braking (ie PLAN your actions BEFORE you come across junctions, traffic lights etc) knocking the speed off in small stages is the answer to good stopping in the vRS.

The other is not to speed if there is risk of having to stop suddenly (ie use ABS, jam foot down hard on clutch and brake, and keep pressing it down hard till you stop despite any noises, pedal vibration (just keep full pressure on as it wobbles) etc)....

I thought Cadence braking wouldnt be neccesary in a vRS due to having ABS.

Also, my foot was jammed down as hard as I could. The lorry in front of me decided to stop with little warning just after we had both accelerated away from a mini roundabout. There was plenty of room for me to stop - IF THE BRAKES HAD NOT HAVE GONE DAFT ON ME!!!!!!!!

Does sound like wet brakes Paul, I have experianced very similar to what you describe...

Had you been driving through standing water at the road side before this happened?

There was a fair bit of surface water to be fair, from all the melted snow.

So am I correct in thinking that any brake upgrade probably would not help this particular "problem" at all?

Don't know what it is about the brakes on the Fabia vrs, i've never know any brakes to react in this way in the wet during noral conditions. Only time I've experianced this is after driving through fords or flooded roads.

Sure someone with more technical knowledge of brakes will give us some clues.

Have other Fabia drivers noticed this when driving in wet conditions?

probably asking to much from the tyres aswell.

Had a near accident on Sunday, going down the main road at about 30-33mph guy in vectra waiting to pull out of a side turning. So the pulm pulled out when I was all of 3 foot away from him. Tugged the wheel to the right and basically braced myself for the impact..........just missed by what kim tells me was a few inches. Anyway because I swerved so hard I had to turn very hard the other way (foot still on brake) and again the other way to try and keep the car in check. The car took some distance to stop! I know at 30 it would stop in a short distance but I think the ABS was just kicking in so much to keep it all in check.

Maybe I should have got ESP fitted

probably asking to much from the tyres aswell.

Dont think so. There was simply not enough power from the brakes to make the wheels lock, so that couldnt have been it.

I am with dsemuk here, this is strange, I've never known anything like it. Its almost like I have driven through a huge puddle beforehand, even though I really dont think I did.

maybe it was just because of the wet and cold. Maybe vented disc might help? But I'm sure that might be wrong aswel...........I'm on a roll today!

maybe it was just because of the wet and cold. Maybe vented disc might help? But I'm sure that might be wrong aswel...........I'm on a roll today!

The front discs are vented, maybe grooved disks would help clear the water from the disc surface?

Hmm interesting debate this

I went for the 312mm with DS2500 up front with super dot 4 fluid (as Adrian suggested). I have to say, the improvement was just immense. Not only was there more stopping power, but it was more progressive and controllable. You'd almost end up with more pedal travel and the initial bite is just as innocent as you could dream. Definately more feel than the standard set up. Whether that was the fuilds or calips or discs or just a combination of the three, I don't know..... Needless to say though, whenever I needed to stop, I was never ever short of power

I *think* Ferodo do DS2500 for 288mm setup. If so, that's the cheapest "upgrade" costing you probably about

I too have had this problem, today for instance i had just pulled away and had to stop for the junction, was doing about 20 mph, i didnt think the car was going to stop! maybe the weather, but it seems very strange for this to be 'normal' practise

Some very relevant and interesting ( if not very indepth) info on upgrading brakes, the pro's......and the possible cons!

http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/brake_systems_and_upgrade_selections_122701.htm

Thanks for the article. It suggests to me that the best way to increase braking performance is in fact to replace the brake pads, and fluid, perhaps the hoses too, and to make sure the tyres and suspension are up to snuff.

That article suggests its not quite as clear cut as just whacking on big discs and callipers.

DS2500 or DS3000 will probably be worse when they're cold.