A couple of months ago I got hold of a set of S3 front brakes. They included discs pads callipers and carriers. The pads and discs were second hand but as I couldn't wait I fitted them any way.

This is how they looked after they were fitted.

Now I know there arguments that these aren't the best brake upgrade you can do but I liked the look of them and thought that they couldn't be worse than the stock setup. On fitting them the most noticeable thing was the weight of the 345mm disk which is substantial to say the least.

So now the time has come round for new discs when I saw these on the Awesome's web site a set of ECS Tunings two piece cross drilled and grooved discs

Now I know there not cheep running at nearly £400 but they do look very nice coupled with a set of Tarox Corsa pads its been an expensive weekend. There is quite a difference between the weight of these and the stock S3 discs but I didn't weigh them to find out exactly how much that difference was (maybe I should have). I've taken a few pics of the replacment process but this is by no means a guide replacing discs and pads.

The brakes are currently still being bedded in but once they are I'll update this post with how they perform. Hope this is of interest and maybe even helpful for people.

nice setup - you're not the first and you prob wont be the last to do this upgrade it adds some weight over stock brakes and won't fit under neptunes iirc.

Yeah the excess weight was one of the reasons I went for the lighter ecs discs. I also plan to replace the hub carriers and lower arms for the lighter alloy S3 versions.

The excess weight was the main reason both Rob and I went for Porsche 4 pots that weigh 2.4 kg each, use a standard disc but massively improve braking power.

Discs look nice but I think at that price I would be fitting a set of DB9 calipers on the front end.

Discs look nice but I think at that price I would be fitting a set of DB9 calipers on the front end.

I wasn't aware DB9 calipers could be fitted or I probably would have gone for that option.

Back on topic now though I've had the discs and pads on the car for nearly 2 weeks now and have finally got them bedded in. The poor weather hasn't really given me chance to test them in anger but under the limited amount of heavy breaking I've managed to try they seem to do the job very well. No annoying noises under normal conditions and no excessive amount of brake dust on the wheels. Hope this is of help to any one considering this set up and I'll keep it updated as I get more and more milage on the brakes.

I currently run S3 brakes, ive found theyre just too on/off. No real progresive feel, especially at lower speeds <10mph. Ive upgraged now, so will be selling my setup.

I currently run S3 brakes, ive found theyre just too on/off. No real progresive feel, especially at lower speeds <10mph. Ive upgraged now, so will be selling my setup.

It's not really a problem I've come across as yet. Maybe just a difference in driving styles or the types of roads that are driven on. Out of interest what have you upgraded too?

S3s work fine for me, better stopping power than standard, and they don't limit your wheel options

I've done the Brembo 6-pot thing, and although light, they are huge, so you need minimum 18" wheels and non-standard offsets to clear them

Stopping power was epic, but way OTT for the Octavia

I currently run S3 brakes, ive found theyre just too on/off. No real progresive feel, especially at lower speeds <10mph. Ive upgraged now, so will be selling my setup.

 

Did you try a brake fluid change, or a different fluid spec first, out of interest?

There good brakes. Just found at low speeds they grab a bit too easy as stop too quick.