As some of you may know I've been toying with the idea of upgrading the brakes on my Octy for a while now as I just didn't feel they inspired confidence that they were going to stop you in time.

So after a few months of playing around ordering various bit and waiting I've now gone and done it.

So what parts were used:

The car in question is a PD140 which meant I could reuse the callipers as these are the same as the VRS.

- 312mm carrier callipers (Available from VAG Parts, who give a forum discount of 10%)

- 312mm OEM discs (I got a good price at the dealer but GSF do brembo ones for £60ish after the forum discount)

- EBC Redstuff Ceramic V3 brake pads - Part No DP31517C (Available from Larkspeed, who were very helpful, then a bit of a pain, then again helpful )

The total parts bill was about £250 inc the carriers, new discs and new pads.

To fit 312mm brakes you must have 16" or larger wheels.

If you have pads that are hardly worn you could reuse these, however I fancied giving the EBC Reds a go.

So initial thoughts when fitted and after bedding in (500 miles):

- They fill the 16" wheels very nicely.

- The stopping power is immense compared to the old 288mm set up, and the front currently has some pretty hard bridgestone ER30's on it with the more grippy falkens now on the rear.

- Much better feel from the brakes

- At least as much cold bite as OEM pads

- No brake fade issues in the wet

- Much better braking when hot compared to the OEM 288 set up.

To give an example I've managed to give a taxi driver who was not that close compared to some a brown pants moment when I had to stop quite quickly and projected a bottle out of the central cup holder.

The only slight negative I have is a very small amount of brake squeal when stopping from very slow speeds, however this hasn't happened on the last couple of journeys so I will wait to see if this was just a bedding in symptom.

So so far it's a big for the EBC redstuff and another for the 312mm setup too.

I'll put further details up as I start to add the miles.

I'm yet to find some performance pads that don't squeal when approaching standstill :( Think its just the nature of the beast tbh.

Glad to see you've finally got it all sorted mate!

Like I said I'm reserving judgement on the squeal as I haven't noticed it today and to be fair if the radio is on you don't notice it.

I'm yet to find some performance pads that don't squeal when approaching standstill :( Think its just the nature of the beast tbh.

Glad to see you've finally got it all sorted mate!

I had Ferodo pads on my Fabia that took about 6 months to stop squealing; but they eventually did. Try doing a few brisk stops whilst going backwards; it has helped me in the past.

Good work all round.

PS; Not wishing to upset Cheesmonkhai but have any budding vRS owners seen that JKM are now doing an (OEM parts) upgrade to 345mm front discs, 18" wheels required as well - details here JKM Performance - TFSI Products - Brakes

Like I said I'm reserving judgement on the squeal as I haven't noticed it today and to be fair if the radio is on you don't notice it.

Any particular reason that you went for the Red Stuff pads and not Yellow?

Good work all round BTW.

I saw the 345mm setup that I believe is from the S3 and R32.

Personally I think that it would upset the brake balance on the Octy with standard (solid) rears and leave the rear axle under braked and as such actually increase stopping distances.

This might not be the case on the VRS with it's vented rears, but I'm very happy with the stopping power of the 312mm set up and low total cost.

I'd recommend it to anyone with an octy II running the 288mm set up.

Also I personally don't have money to spend on 18" wheels and a new rear set to go with the larger set up.

Additionally, I really would prefer this thread didn't become a JKM advert, because when I asked JKM for a quote to do the fitting on this they came in at only marginally under twice the main dealer price. That meant the dealer got the work as I could get OEM discs, fitting and have a hire car for almost the same price as just fitting.

It is also worth noting that the comment that the parts have warranty may not be entirely true. Somebody like ross etc will know better but IIRC the parts are only warranted if fitted by a approved service centre.

Any particular reason that you went for the Red Stuff pads and not Yellow?

Good work all round BTW.

Yes

The yellow have a bit more high temp grip but a lot less bite when cold. As such the yellows are more suited to track use or very high powered cars IMHO.

Since most of my driving is along the motorways this is quite important to me.

Additionally the yellows dust up a bit more than the reds too.

I've never found the standard vRS brakes lacking - indeed I think they are very capable.

Interested to hear how you get on with the redstuff long term Mark.

I've never found the standard vRS brakes lacking - indeed I think they are very capable.

Interested to hear how you get on with the redstuff long term Mark.

I'm also going to be very interested in how the EBC's last knowing people who really rate them and also people on here and the net who seem to hate them. I'll be keeping updates on here from time to time.

This might not be the case on the VRS with it's vented rears.

I thought the rears were solid on a vRS aswell :confused:

I thought the rears were solid on a vRS aswell :confused:

UK spec MK II Octy VRS gets vented rear discs, but apparently different to the golf GTI.

UK spec MK II Octy VRS gets vented rear discs, but apparently different to the golf GTI.

Ok im sure mine are solid will look in the morning. if they are then its going straight to the bleeding garage as i want my missing holes:mad::P

Vented - i.e. two discs with vanes separating them

not drilled - i.e. discs with holes you can see through by looking through the spokes of the wheel.

Of course most drilled discs are vented as well.

Aye, what he just said

Im pretty sure vRS discs are solid on the back.

Can't answer for Octy II - the MkI certainly has vented discs on the rear - I put some new ones on myself about 6 weeks ago.

im almost positive they are solid at the rear but will check tomorrow.

when i said holes i meant the vanes just didnt know correct word :P

vRS rear disks are 286mm and definitely solid.

The only model I'm aware of is the R32 with ventilated rears, 310mm disks, and different calipers to the GTI.

ok according to skoda they are:

Front brakes: Disc brakes, with hollow discs, internal cooling and single-piston floating calliper.

Rear brakes Disc brakes with full discs and single-piston floating callipers.

Thats according to brochure but will check car tomorrow.

Check Brochure here

http://www.skoda.co.uk/pdf/brochure_octavia.pdf

When I was looking around I am fairly sure I was seeing vented on the rears of the few cars I looked at.

I'm willing to be corrected of course but the suppliers also listed vented rears too. :confused:

I wonder in that case if the rears are the same as mine if they are not vented.

Not trying to pick fault mate you may be right.

I'll check mine in the morning. im just almost certain they are solid at the rear on mine.

According to brochure rears are standard across range but they may differ in size

I promise you I'm not wrong! :P

Your rears are 255x10, the vRS is 286x12, and the calipers and pads are different too.

Looks like that settles it then

the brake oracle has spoken :P

Nope the arrogant git with ETKA 7 and a vRS on his drive has spoken! :P