For those that have upgraded from 288mm to 312mm front brakes (+possibly 256mm rears)

[Leon2012]

Hi there,

I'm looking for people's experiences with upgrading 280mm to 312mm front brakes, as it involves a big job for the 110 TDI (hubs, carriers, calipers, discs and pads), so I'm looking to get a few subjective experiences of the difference before shelling out. I'd also like to upgrade the rears to vented 256mm.

I've read a lot and done all the research, now am just looking for new people's experiences.

The comparison must be with equivalent pads, not going from old worn out standard pads on 280mm to fresh DS2500 on 312mm!

I've already upgraded the front pads to DS Performance (new name for DS2000s), and braking is good, but I would like better if it's significant and worth the money.

NB. This is NOT for looks, just braking performance and any carriers/calipers will be stealth and painted black.

The reason I'd like to upgrade the rears at the same time is to maintain the 70/30 split of braking bias, and avoid too much nose diving when braking heavily (which I get now with nearly new DS Performance and worn out standard rears). The rear pads and discs need replacing anyway.

Thanks in advance

 

[jase750]

what sizes does the cupra TDI run ?

only asking because i thought it was only the LCR that had vented rears?
and to keep the front to rear balance that you are after would that not over bias the rear ??

 

[Muttley]

Everything uses 232mm solid rear disks apart from the Cupra R and the VR6 and TDI 150 4x4's.

 

[Leon2012]

what sizes does the cupra TDI run ?

only asking because i thought it was only the LCR that had vented rears?
and to keep the front to rear balance that you are after would that not over bias the rear ??

The Cupra TDI is 288mm fronts and 232mm rears.

Yes, you're right, which is why I was thinking to fit OEM spec pads on the rears with 256mm vented discs.

The alternative would be to put performance pads on the standard rear 232's. But, as I say, the rear discs and pads need replacing anyway, and the calipers/carriers are in relatively poor condition too. So in sorting the standard rear brakes out, I'd have them reconditioned anyway. Therefore spending a bit more on getting hubs and the bit extra for larger sized parts, would well be worth it I'd have thought.

 

[Ronin225]

However the S3's and TT's have the 312mm up front but the larger 256mm on the back

 

[Leon2012]

Maybe because they're quattro systems Ronin?

Otherwise the bias might be set differently than the standard 70/30 split.

Apparently, previous generations of VAG cars had adjustable brake bias, so maybe S3s and TTs have adjustable bias, or a fixed bias at a different ratio, or could be the quattro haldex system which has an affect so that 312mm front + 256mm rears are ok, as I've read about people's experience of the back end coming out more with too much braking bias at the rear and that set-up sounds out to me (based on the standard 70/30 split).

 

[Phillc]

I have 330mm fronts and 308mm rears and i suffer no imbalance in my breaking at all, so doubt very much that 312mm front and 256 rears will be any problem.

 

[Leon2012]

M0rk has edited this thread title to say 288 to 312mm, but that is not correct.

I would like to know about people with 280mm original front brakes, who have upgraded to 312mm, so I don't know why m0rk has edited this.??

 

[m0rk]

That's because all the information suggests that the Leon didn't come with 280's - only 288

The 4x100 Ibiza/Golf Mk2 Rallye was 280mm, but the 5x100 AFAIK isn't available

Happy to correct, but the Leon only came with 256/288/312/323 up front IIRC

 

[Lodey23]

he edited it because they are 288mm rather than 280mm brakes on the fronts

 

[m0rk]

There's a few 'oddball' Leon's available with 280's - so I'll take it all back.

However, it's more likely they're 288's - certainly given the age of the car

Do check that a garage hasn't fitted the wrong discs previously

 

[Leon2012]

m0rk, my Leon is a TDI 110 ASV (MY2004) and has 280mm front brakes. Of this I am 100% sure.

Therefore, I would like to know from other people with 280mm front brakes, who have upgraded to 312mm.

Please re-edit my thread so that it is correct again, thanks

 

[Dox1966]

Toledo 20V V5s came with 312s and 256s......... 2WD

 

[Muttley]

Elsawin says TDI 90 and 110 cars have FS-III calipers and 280 mm disks.

I can't find the receipt from the time I replaced the disks on my TDI 110, but I'm fairly sure they were 280mm and not 288.

 

[Dox1966]

Elsawin says TDI 90 and 110 cars have FS-III calipers and 280 mm disks.

I can't find the receipt from the time I replaced the disks on my TDI 110, but I'm fairly sure they were 280mm and not 288.

If the carrier and hub are a single cast piece they are 280mm, if the carrier will unbolt from the hub they are 288mm

 

[Leon2012]

Yes, 90 and 110 diesels came with 280mm FS-III front brakes.

As stated in my original post, "it involves a big job for the 110 TDI (hubs, carriers, calipers, discs and pads)", also splash guards.

Some people say it makes a good difference, others say if I'm not getting brake fade with my current set-up (280mm discs + DS 2000 pads), then don't upgrade.

As I'm swaying between doing it and not doing it, I'd like to hear some other people's comments with direct experience, to help tip the balance one way or another.

Cheers!

 

[jase750]

The only place you should experience fade is on a track if your getting it on the road you may need to look else where for improvement,

 

[Dox1966]

They wouldn't fit them to higher powered car if they weren't better.

She drives a Golf TDi with 280s, I drive an Octavia1.8 turbo with 288s, I had a brief flirtation with a Toledo V5 20V - the Toledo handled and braked better than any other car with similar underpinnings I've ever driven.

 

[Leon2012]

The only place you should experience fade is on a track if your getting it on the road you may need to look else where for improvement,

Hi jase, what do you mean "look elsewhere"? Please give more details about what you mean, cheers!

Hi Dox, thanks about the Tolly info and about your other comments: factory cars also have standard brake pads, so if they fitted better brake pads to the higher performance cars, they wouldn't need bigger brakes. My 280mm new discs with bedded in DS 2000/Performance pads, would give better stopping power than 288 or 312 with standard pads.

However, your comments are relevant and I appreciate them, thanks.

I have 330mm fronts and 308mm rears and i suffer no imbalance in my breaking at all, so doubt very much that 312mm front and 256 rears will be any problem.

Hi Phil, did you fit that combination of brakes yourself or were they standard on your car? What car is it please?


Cheers

 

[Dox1966]

My 280mm new discs with bedded in DS 2000/Performance pads, would give better stopping power than 288 or 312 with standard pads.

However, your comments are relevant and I appreciate them, thanks.




Cheers

I doubt it