How to make the polo GTI brakes better?

Post by **alexperkins** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:02 pm

As you all know, polo brakes are shocking...so what can you do to improve them?

So far I have a 280mm G60 conversion, which has made a slight bit of difference, but its running OEM discs and pads.

So...what can I change to make them better?

Thanks

Alex

andyniceday · Post by **andyniceday** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:46 pm

changing to an uprated disc and pad may improve it marginally, but if you want any real improvement you'd probably have to go for a 4-pot setup like AP ones. That chap whos having the 1.8t conversion at the mo has them i think, theres a thread about somwhere!

Post by **alexperkins** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:12 pm

I had a look earlier...I'm not that fussed to spend Â£550 on new brakes haha

Basically, I want to keep the same brake setup, but increase its efficiency

I have read that black diamond discs and pads offer uprated performance, but I never have tried them at all. Anyone?

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:01 am

What about braided hoses? And drilled and grooved discs?

bbspolo · Post by **bbspolo** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:31 am

braided pipes dont rearly make that much difference!
Best combo ive found has been standard disk's and ither green stuff or black dimond pads!
And a good bleed!

Mouse_GTI · Post by **Mouse_GTI** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:13 am

Mine have Black Diamond drilled and grooved discs and are still as s**t as ever

Mike_M · Post by **Mike_M** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:58 am

Grooved discs with uprated pads (I have Brembo items with Mintex Sport pads).....works well and also DOT5.1 brake fluid which has got rid of the spongy brakes when they are pushed hard and get hot.

On top of that, I would get braided hoses.

tegwin · Post by **tegwin** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:22 am

Are you sure your standard system is set up correctly?

I have standard brakes that have been bled very carefully using a high pressure bleeding system...

And I have no issues with the brakes... Get a little bit of fade on very long twisty drives...but I never loose the sharpness... I loose traction first

What effect does fitting larger 4 pot callipers have on the functioning of the ABS I wonder

Post by **alexperkins** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:23 am

Well they are ok...but compare them to like a new polo and a golf they are rubbish!

tegwin · Post by **tegwin** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:40 am

alexperkins wrote:Well they are ok...but compare them to like a new polo and a golf they are rubbish!

Aye...Point taken...

you deffinately have to press on the brakes to make the work.... I quite like that though... its a more in-touch feeling lol

Post by **alexperkins** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:52 am

I guess that in it self is a good thing....but you can push your foot to the floor, and it wont stop!

1der · Post by **1der** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:21 am

ive driven a 1.4 astra that braked better tha the gti

ive got black diamond predator pads and standard discs, but they are still poor

tegwin · Post by **tegwin** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:34 am

alexperkins wrote:I guess that in it self is a good thing....but you can push your foot to the floor, and it wont stop!

Thats worrying...sound like you have a problem with the standard setup...

From 100 I can slam on the brakes so hard that the ABS kicks in almost imediatly...Wouldnt want to do that too often though

Mouse_GTI · Post by **Mouse_GTI** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:55 am

My pedal has to go more than halfway to get any meaningful breaking, and even then it is very poor and feels vague. ABS works as usual when the pedal is right down

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:58 am

In all fairness I've never really had a problem with the brakes. I dunno whether it's because mine aren't that bad, or I've just gotten used to them.

But surely a good bleed, grilled and groove uprated discs, uprated pads, better fluid and braided hoses would make some sort of difference!