As per the post title would I still notice a decent benefit from a budget brake upgrade, such as just pads and a decent super dot 4 fluid, am I right in thinking the Fabia vRS already has braided hoses as i've heard they seem to have a dramatic effect on braking.

Go for Pagid fast road pads ( around

The std hoses dont have an overbraid, but they do have a stronger construction than hoses on older cars.

Fitted a set of 312mm brakes to a mates Ibiza today, I think

Set on sale, below is copy of details. found on Audi Sport.net

"Front Disks and Calipers from 51 plate S3. Covered approx 40K.

Go for 312mm calipers, Ferodo pads and Brembo disks, with DOT 5.1 fluid. It's not a hard job and I have it on good authority it can be done for a smidge over

I did the 312mm conversion this last weekend... the pads are just about bed in now (although the discs will still take a little longer). The difference in feel, control and power is fantastic... especially when you consider the whole lot cost less than

I did the 312mm conversion this last weekend... the pads are just about bed in now (although the discs will still take a little longer). The difference in feel, control and power is fantastic... especially when you consider the whole lot cost less than

I reckon uprated fluid and Ferrodo pads on the standard setup would suffice for 99% of people. I notice a lot of people recommend the 312's and I'm sure they are an improvement... but nobody has tried just uprating the pads, and I have to wonder why..... and 288mm discs are hardly small in the first place!

I reckon uprated fluid and Ferrodo pads on the standard setup would suffice for 99% of people. I notice a lot of people recommend the 312's and I'm sure they are an improvement... but nobody has tried just uprating the pads, and I have to wonder why..... and 288mm discs are hardly small in the first place!

The reason most people don't bother with this, is because the standard vRS caliper is pony, and the 312mm caliper is a much better and more effective design. Ross went into a bit more detail about it way back when, the 288mm discs and pads are not the weak point, so just changing pads and fluid doesn't overcome the duff caliper design.

Plus, potentially this upgrade is not much more expensive than DS pads - say you need to change discs and pads - you're looking at about

I did the 312mm conversion this last weekend... the pads are just about bed in now (although the discs will still take a little longer). The difference in feel, control and power is fantastic... especially when you consider the whole lot cost less than

I reckon uprated fluid and Ferrodo pads on the standard setup would suffice for 99% of people. I notice a lot of people recommend the 312's and I'm sure they are an improvement... but nobody has tried just uprating the pads, and I have to wonder why..... and 288mm discs are hardly small in the first place!

BUT NO PERFORMANCE PADS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE FABIA YET!

well, since i last checked...

the fabia uses different calipers to the usual 288mm jobbies.. and i dont think brake manufacturers have cottoned on to the need for different designs yet. :thumbdwn:

Bit Confused here :confused: When yo up grade the brakes either just pads or disc and pads,312mm up grade. Do you have to do the rears or just the fronts? Can the front discs go on the rear?

You only have to do the fronts as the majority of braking is done by them I don't believe you can move the fronts to the rears because of the different size discs and calipers on the backs, but I may be wrong. You can replace the rears too though........

Chris

You only have to do the fronts as the majority of braking is done by them I don't believe you can move the fronts to the rears because of the different size discs and calipers on the backs' date=' but I may be wrong. You can replace the rears too though........

Chris[/quote']

What he said. No need to do the backs, most of the braking is done by the front brakes.

BUT NO PERFORMANCE PADS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE FABIA YET!

well' date=' since i last checked...

the fabia uses different calipers to the usual 288mm jobbies.. and i dont think brake manufacturers have cottoned on to the need for different designs yet. :thumbdwn:[/quote']

Fair enough - but the Ds2500s for other fabias are over a ton a set, right? Around the

there is a set on ebay at the mo for 150

If you hunt around the breakers you cn find sets for

I am sure the 312's are better but noone has mentioned yet that if I bought them i would have to pay a mechanic to fit them because I would never attempt doing the brakes myself.

I am guessing my insurance would increase too.

Just a few things to think about if cost is a big factor in decision.

To add...im not thinking of doing it, i was just thinking hypothetically

I am sure the 312's are better but noone has mentioned yet that if I bought them i would have to pay a mechanic to fit them because I would never attempt doing the brakes myself.

I am guessing my insurance would increase too.

Just a few things to think about if cost is a big factor in decision.

To add...im not thinking of doing it' date=' i was just thinking hypothetically [/quote']

It really is a doddle - I'm sure you could rope someone from here into doing it for you if you weren't confident. The labour cost would be no greater than having the standard discs and pads replaced - it's only about 15 mins more work. As for the insurance, it shouldn't be much of an issue because it's a safety feature really, plus since they are VW-group parts you are fitting, it would take an eagle-eyed insurance assessor to notice that they were non-standard. As with most mods, if you have a sound dealer, they will probably not mind you fitting other VAG-group parts in terms of warranty concerns. This varies by dealer, of course - always ask first...

To add...im not thinking of doing it' date=' i was just thinking hypothetically [/quote']

lol - you ain't seen me, right?

Naturally I too am speaking hypothetically and not from experience... :rubchin:

BUT NO PERFORMANCE PADS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE FABIA YET!

well' date=' since i last checked...

the fabia uses different calipers to the usual 288mm jobbies.. and i dont think brake manufacturers have cottoned on to the need for different designs yet. :thumbdwn:[/quote']

A/S Performance seemed to think there was DS2500's for the vRS. Although I am getting rid of my car, so there seems little point in me pursuing it further...

The calipers may be a puny design, but for me they only struggle at very silly speeds anyway... and I think its something a high performance pad could solve.

Honestly, you lot are all speculating... how do you know it wouldnt make much difference? I dont agree.

Also, there are several disadvantages to the 312 brakes - it will invalidate the warranty on your brakes, if thats important to you. Also, its more unsprung weight, so potentially decreasing the performance of your car.

Each to their own though, I never said I didnt think the 312 conversion is good or that it wasnt worth the money - I am sure it is, but not everyone wants it or needs it.

My friend has thought about it but he's concerned by the odd comment of the back-end going light under heavy braking. I must admit, I am too. My friend is now thinking about uprated pads when they come out, as they should be a sufficient improvement, but not so strong as to give a helium effect to the rear.

Mod, what mod?

:ghost:

Seriously though, i thought it was a fairly tricky job so the fact its easy is a bonus.

Now if your mechanic tells you 'ooooooo, that 'll take all afternoon that', you know hes a cowboy

My friend has thought about it but he's concerned by the odd comment of the back-end going light under heavy braking. I must admit, I am too. My friend is now thinking about uprated pads when they come out, as they should be a sufficient improvement, but not so strong as to give a helium effect to the rear.

The problem is that the majority of the car's weight is at the front, and that's before the braking force is applied! To cure the back going light, you need to fit stronger springs to the front to keep the car more level under accelerating/braking.

Chris

I am guessing my insurance would increase too.

It really does depend on the company! I completely overhauled my Scooby brakes with calipers, hoses, pads, discs and fluid and told the insurance company who said the brakes are classed as consumables so didn't make any difference.

The argument against them being a "safety" feature, is that they therefore allow you to push the car harder, drive faster and therefore become a higher risk customer

Chris