On the big long list of potential mods is a brake upgrade. I don't think I will quite stretch cash-wise to a NQSBBK but have been thinking about R32/Cupra brakes. I have tried these on an ED30 and thought they were pretty good - it's hard to make a direct comparison between these and the standard 312s on my mk2 as it was a completely different car really (LOTS more power, etc).

Those of you who have done the 345mm brake upgrade, is there a real benefit over the standard 312 or are there a set of 312 discs and pads to suit that will give the same braking power and force, particularly with upgraded lines. I know that there is a bigger disc/pad surface contact area which gives more friction.

I have, in the last 2 months, replaced the discs and pads on my car and it almost seems a waste to remove them already.

Would you change? It probably means having to find about £500.

I've got a set of 345mm brakes........in my shed. I've not fitted them yet as I've found the 312mm brake setup very good for my needs (Brembo discs, Bosch pads), and I don't want the extra weight. I'm sure I'll fit them one day but they're so pretty and clean sat in the shed

Yes they are very clean, well done for keeping them looking so fresh!

I'm tempted by a set and have my eye on a few, I just can't quite decide. Mine are OK but I don't think they would cope with more than a couple of laps on a track and I've already managed to cook them on the road (Pagid all round).

Hammerite

I expect track days would cook the standard setup but remember these are massive and weigh quite a bit more than the standard setup. Like you if I had the cash I would have gone for the Porsche setup.

Tyres are the limiting factor in braking - I bet you can get the ABS firing even in the dry. The only reason to go bigger as has been mentioned is heat management and fade resistance over repeated stops.

Steve

It's difficult to get the ABS to kick in in the dry on the MIchelins, they're actually very good tyres and make a huge difference under braking. The resistance to fade is the most important thing for me but can I get that with fast road pads and uprated 312mm discs?

The big ones look pretty cool though don't they?!!

Remember if you have Neptunes then the calipers will need filing down as they won't fit under the wheels

I've haven't, I've got Zeniths on mine but am thinking about something else VAG. Am I going to have an issue with a particular offset wheel or is it to do with the design of the Neptune?

Design of the Neptune wheel, I've seem photos on here of them fitted under a set of Neptunes after being filed and they look great but I'm not certain I'd like to trim the calipers edge down!

I have the R32 fronts on my Octavia mainly because the standard brakes are pretty poor.

I also fitted S3 hubs and wishbones to offset the additional weight as per the S3. They work well.

If you only want the "look", then it won't matter, but feeling the weight of even std 312mm calipers makes your eyes water. If I could afford it I would go for the DaveB/Porsche 4pots, I think there is a link on here somewhere. Isn't the cost roughly your budget?

My bike has 4 pots too and the modulation is so much better than before with just the twin pistons, so that would be one big bonus.

Another experience from the bike, but relating to unsprung weight, I swopped solid cast iron discs for Le Mans type light alloy centres - could only have been a few ounces difference, but the change to turn in and general front end responsiveness was far beyond my expectations. Work that in with a much greater weight difference and I think you would notice a change for the better.

Perhaps Hedge could comment on his experience with reducing unsprung weight and how sensitive an Octavia is to changes?

I've looked at this more than once but not gone ahead. Reasons:

- stock brakes with good pads/fluid are ok for just about everything i do with the car (no track days) - as steve says, tyres are the limiting factor for stopping so your only gain is fade resistance with the bigger rotors. I don't feel fade very often on the road if I'm honest.

- I don't want to add unsprung weight - 345's and the bigger calipers are very heavy.

- I don't want to spend money unnecessarily - yes I'm a cheapskate

- I'm not concerned with just making the brakes "look good"

- I'm aware that the R32 guys pull these brakes off their cars if they're doing track days ie they'll still fade under extreme use, albeit less than 312 would.

For me, it's either stay stock, or bite the bullet and get some AP 4 pots - 330mm two piece disc and significantly lighter than stock 312s.

Some weights I googled some time ago (you might want to verify rather than take as gospel) for caliper/carrier/disk; OE 312 is 14.5kg, R32 345mm is 21.4kg, AP 4 pots 10.6kg.

Nothing further to add regarding unsprung weight really. On my Edition 30 with Cupra R fronts you knew that there was a large flywheel being rotated i.e. the brake disc. On the Octavia with the same brakes and S3 hubs and wishbones it just feels like standard. It also has KW V1's on there which probably help too.

Love my Cupra 345mm front setup :love:

For me, I was going to up my power from std 200 bhp to the 252 I have now, the brakes were the first thing to sort, I personally didn't think the std 312mm disc's and piston were up to it!

I know the NQSBBK kit was the way to go but as with most things, pennies dictated it a no go, you can get the R32/S3/Cupra upgrades for about £320.

I don't notice the weight difference but I do the stopping and they look awesome (in Skoda green, not hammerite green) under my 18" Zeniths

Nothing further to add regarding unsprung weight really. On my Edition 30 with Cupra R fronts you knew that there was a large flywheel being rotated i.e. the brake disc. On the Octavia with the same brakes and S3 hubs and wishbones it just feels like standard. It also has KW V1's on there which probably help too.

I think this is probably the answer - mate the big brakes with the lighter wishbones and hubs so the net unsprung weight is about the same.

Interesting reading guys, especially with the additional weight. It's not just for looks, I want to make sure they work well - I am also running more power and finding the car feels a little underbraked as a result. I thought a NQSBBK would set me back rather more than £500 but I will certainly invesigate.

And on the subject of weight - when I bought the replacement 312mm discs for the car recently, I was stunned at how heavy they were in comparison to the puny things fitted to my last mk1.5 Focus!

I have them and i'm happy , driven a couple of std cars recently and was pretty shocked at the difference , I felt the power I had was making the brakes feel inadequate tbh.

I think this is probably the answer - mate the big brakes with the lighter wishbones and hubs so the net unsprung weight is about the same.

That was my thoughts.

I know that a lot of people with standard brakes and pads are happy with the standard set up. However, having moved from standard brakes to the NQS BBK on two Octavias now, to me the upgrade is a 'no-brainer' whether it be the NQS BBK or the S3 set-up. I had my NQS BBK bought before the new car! Personally, I did find the standard set-up lacking and the difference is night and day. The NQS BBK and unsprung weight is a nice-to-have but will be the last thing on your mind as you are careering towards the car in front or the kid that has jumped out and your foot is hard on the brake. Stopping power, be it in the brakes or good quality tyres can never be a bad thing - it is not about the price of the brakes/tyres but more about what price you would put on your own ****!

S3 front brakes FTMFW -

To be honest if I could get better feel from the standard ones I'd be happy - single pots are rubbish grabby all or nothing affairs. Would feel better with grease on them

Given my insurance is un realistic with mods (or let's say I'm too tight to pay the cost) all my ideas of two piece light brakes and downpipes went out of the window - I bought a full carbon race bike instead!

I've got a set of s3 hubs (including joints and bearings) if anyone's interested in the garage?

(and a 3" downpipe still boxed up)

Um....ok decision made, sort of!

Um....ok decision made, sort of!

?

Let's just say I've bought some parts and....er.....need to buy some more parts!