I've only had my 2003 Fabia MPI a few months but I still haven't managed to get used to the brakes, which feel horribly over-servoed, especially for such a low-powered car. Compared to any other car I've driven (and I've driven hundreds) the brakes are horribly grabby at low speeds - I'd even go as far as to call them savage. It's almost impossible to come to a smooth halt because the tiniest bit of pressure on the pedal results in a really awful snatch. At low speeds, the brakes feel like an on/off switch with nothing in between.

 

Can anyone tell me if this is a trait on the Fabia? It doesn't exactly make me look forward to driving it.

Edited 21 September, 201312 yr by TMB

I don't know what car you have had prior to this but, are you sure that this is not just the first car that you have had that has "adequate" brakes. I used to have a 2000 Passat 4Motion and while its brakes "worked" that was about all you could say about them, when I bought my wife a brand new 2003MY Polo I did have problems driving it and my Passat "back - back" - Polo used to try to end up on its nose almost! If I have got it right you will probably get used to living with it eventually. Grabby brakes seem to be common on this range of cars that share this platform - I also drive my daughter's 2010MY Ibiza 1.4SC and it is not much better, but being a lot lighter than the Polo is better to drive.

Massively over-servo'd brakes are a VAG thing apparently. 

Massively over-servo'd brakes are a VAG thing apparently.

Wish mine were. My pedal feels **** atm :'(

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. I have been Googling around and it does seem to be a VAG thing as matt1chelski and rum4mo say.

 

My previous car was an old Escort 1600cc Zetec and the difference in servo assistance is massive but older Fords were never renowned for their brakes. I just find the Fabia brakes make it very tetchy to drive but I suppose I'll get used to it eventually. I may try changing the pads to see if it helps at all too.

 

Perhaps I should smear the brake discs with grease

Edited 23 September, 201312 yr by TMB

Decided to fit new Pagid discs and pads. Did it a couple of days ago and no more brake grab! I do appreciate that they won't be properly bedded in yet though.

 

One thing I did immediately notice is that the new pads have chamfered edges whereas the old ones (not fitted by me) don't. I reckon that should probably help reduce grab.

The brakes on our sdi were very sharp as well, it wasn't until I did the 312 upgrade to the vRS

that the brakes on that felt comparable. Good choice on the pagid by the way.

(Eventually) Sent from my confusing Kindle HD Fire booky thingy using the equally confusing Tapatalk 2.

Good choice on the pagid by the way.

 

 

Thanks. First time I've had Pagid brake parts but they seem excellent quality!

You'll also be impressed with their corrosion resistance, being painted with special

heat proof paint the only bit that will rust freely is the service area of the disc.

This of course will clean off during normal usage.

The rest should stay looking decent for a long time.

I hate it when you've just bought new brake parts and they look old

after a very short time.

(Eventually) Sent from my confusing Kindle HD Fire booky thingy using the equally confusing Tapatalk 2.

You'll also be impressed with their corrosion resistance, being painted with special

heat proof paint the only bit that will rust freely is the service area of the disc.

This of course will clean off during normal usage.

The rest should stay looking decent for a long time.

I hate it when you've just bought new brake parts and they look old

after a very short time.

(Eventually) Sent from my confusing Kindle HD Fire booky thingy using the equally confusing Tapatalk 2.

 

Sounds all good to me

Skoda brakes might be over servoed, but i've never felt ventilated disks fade as much as in my Fabia. Fronts are good at 20k from replacement on a life span of 55k. Rears are only 6k old. Discs were on mid span at 55k at 21.5 mm.

Brakes are adequate for normal town driving, but get spirited on a DC with a few islands, and it's brown pant time . This surprises me as most makers upgrade TDI brakes ,and more often fir discs all round on TDI . ( And Diesel models to compensate  for extra engine weight).