Hi.

I have a mk 3 VRS petrol which I have had a stage 1 remap which is now pushing out around 300BHP. I have uprated the clutch to a much needed hi torque set up. I now want to upgrade the discs and pads. All has been well on the original OEM so far (340mm discs), however I need to change them and I figured while im taking the old out I may as well stick a set of uprated items in. 

Anyone have any good advice on which brand/s or manufacturer to opt for?

Any advice would be greatly recieved.

 

P.S. I only want to swap out the discs and pads, not the calipers.

 

 

Some discussion here re changing to GTI Clubsport discs:

 

 

I thought about it, but never did it on my 2015 vRS (also 300+bhp), as the stock setup seemed fine, and I don't do track days.

 

Gaz

I suggest that you go for the standard Brembo/Golf R type discs and pads in that case of the same year.  They had 292bhp at the crank.  Modern Golf 8 R models are 320bhp these days.

5 hours ago, bigtonyibo said:

I have a mk 3 VRS petrol which I have had a stage 1 remap which is now pushing out around 300BHP. I have uprated the clutch to a much needed hi torque set up. I now want to upgrade the discs and pads. All has been well on the original OEM so far (340mm discs), however I need to change them and I figured while im taking the old out I may as well stick a set of uprated items in. 

 

If you've got a pre-facelift Octavia MK3 VRS it probably has the small non-ventilated 272x10mm rear brake discs. The later facelift Octavia MK3 petrol VRS model has ventilated 310x22mm rear brake discs, so perhaps look at upgrading the rear brakes first.

 

Edited 8 August, 20241 yr by Carlston

As another option (since I have similar setup to OP), I got Ferodo DS2500 pads and VBT Grooved Discs (though forget the exact diameter - but whatever OEM pre-FL VRS 230s had 👍), both front & rear, with braided lines fitted whilst they were at it. Tangible improvement to braking, and slight reduction in brake dust too - which was a welcome surprise. Highly recommend!

As mentioned, depending on your model you will have either 272mm or 310mm rear discs, although looking at your 2015 model year, you'll have the former. Upgrading this won't do much for stopping power, beyond an increased heat resistance, which I doubt you can utlilise outside of a track. 

 

I find the OE pads and discs very good (320bhp ish). I wouldn't go for Brembo personally, as their quality has gone downhill these days - not to mention the last Brembo disc/pad combo I had sounded like a decapitated cat every time I came to a stop.

 

Ferodo DS2500 are another strong choice, however they aren't cheap, and are definetly a "fast road" pad, with the associated bite, temperature response, etc.

 

EBC and Pagid are also worth a look at - I ran Yellowstuffs and Brembo discs in my Leon with good results. 

 

I would however, also mention the age old discussion of what really affects braking. For example. a caliper upgrade to 4 pots or above will only help with heat resistance on track. Similarly, going up to a 380mm disc will only do the same. The current limiting factor for your brakes will be the grip offered by the tyres, as even the stock brakes will cycle the BAS quite happily. Sure, they will better (or worsen) pedal feel and bite, but like with better discs pads, but they won't do anything power wise. For the priveldge of this, you may/will also have issues with noise, performance in cold, brake dust, wear rate, etc. Similarly with drilled/grooved/slotted/dimpled/etc discs - many of these create weak points in the disc, eat away at pads faster, and for road use, technically decrease surface area and thus braking power. Offgassing also isn't really an issue anymore. I've had lots of comments that the stock setup (same as the Golf R, GTI PP, S3, etc) works perfectly well on the road up to 400bhp.

 

Unless someone tracks the car, or has carbon ceramics, drilled/slotted/grooved discs are just for show, sorry! Braided hoses are also a nice to have, but with the amount of rigid lines these cars have, they won't make any difference.

 

Upgrading the discs and pads WILL have a difference to how the brakes feel and bite (although the stock ones are by no means bad), but they won't really lower your stopping distance - the limiting factor on your car right now, will be the grip your front tyres can offer.

 

My honest thoughts would be to get some fresh OEM discs and pads (TRW, etc), get a system flush and put the extra money towards a set of PS5's or similar.

i replaced my discs on my remapped mk3 couple of years ago using mtec brakes (based outside Londonderry in NI but deliver uk wide) Black coating wore off quickly but i liked the look while it lasted!

Items	Qty	Subtotal
Subtotal		£239.98
Discount (10% Off Brake Discs, Protective coating 4 disc savings)		-£24.20
Grand Total (Excl.Tax)		£179.82
UK-VAT (20%)		£35.96
Tax		£35.96
Grand Total (Incl.Tax)		£215.78
MTEC1807 C-Hook Brake Discs SKU: 6013346	1	£138.99
Black Edition Protective Coating (2 Discs) SKU: 5000105	2	£28.00
MTEC1793 C-Hook Brake Discs SKU: 6012298	1	£72.99

I went EBC discs and yellow stuff pads, seems to do a decent job.