advice please - A3 discs and pads

[SpydieNut]

i'd appreciate any advice about upgrading my discs and pads all round.

got the old shape A3 (1.9 TDi 130) and need to change discs and pads. no real problem with the originals, but thought about putting something slightly better in (heard pagid pads and discs are quite good. haven't got the money for brembos ). i probably don't need anything OTT as i do mostly motorway driving and i don't drive it hard.

would i be best just sticking with originals, or putting in something else - if so, what

many thanks

[Prometheus]

Are they 288mm fronts? A cheapish upgrade is to go for 312mm - you only need to change the carriers and not the calipers. I'm pondering this for my Bora as the high-speed braking isn't what it could be.

[theshrew]

Id say just normal disks but get some good pads.

[theshrew]

Id say just normal disks but get some good pads.

[SpydieNut]

thanks - i certainly wasn't thinking of changing calipers

not sure about the disc diameter, but would get the same again (i think)

so if i get normal discs, what's a 'good', everyday pad?

thinking it should brake well from cold, one that doesn't chew up my discs and preferably also lasts a long time (i've got 90k out the original lot). i'll also change the brake fluid.

cheers

[stevedarlington]

Pagid RS4-2 is the best compromise. It is a racepad but can be used on the road. It will offer a great upgrade over the standard pads. They will be more expensive when compared to standard/competitiors pads, however the low disc and pad wear rate means in the long term they will pay for themselves!

[SpydieNut]

stevedarlington said:

Pagid RS4-2 is the best compromise. It is a racepad but can be used on the road. It will offer a great upgrade over the standard pads. They will be more expensive when compared to standard/competitiors pads, however the low disc and pad wear rate means in the long term they will pay for themselves!

nice one - thanks steve

just for clarification, are you saying pagid pads on standard discs, or get pagid pads and discs?

thanks again

[Prometheus]

SpydieNut said:

thanks - i certainly wasn't thinking of changing calipers

not sure about the disc diameter, but would get the same again (i think)

so if i get normal discs, what's a 'good', everyday pad?

thinking it should brake well from cold, one that doesn't chew up my discs and preferably also lasts a long time (i've got 90k out the original lot). i'll also change the brake fluid.

cheers

To go to 312mm discs you don't need to change the calipers themselves, just the carriers, you can usually get these cheap from ebay/breakers.

[wingnut.]

I would stick with OE which will make my life easier fitting them mate!

Save the cash and get your bike licence sorted, I will need a mate to go for a hoon once I've got myself another bike!

[SpydieNut]

wingnut. said:

I would stick with OE which will make my life easier fitting them mate!

Save the cash and get your bike licence sorted, I will need a mate to go for a hoon once I've got myself another bike!

[Prometheus]

312mm are OE - they're fitted to things like 4-motions.

[stevedarlington]

SpydieNut said:

stevedarlington said:

Pagid RS4-2 is the best compromise. It is a racepad but can be used on the road. It will offer a great upgrade over the standard pads. They will be more expensive when compared to standard/competitiors pads, however the low disc and pad wear rate means in the long term they will pay for themselves!

nice one - thanks steve

just for clarification, are you saying pagid pads on standard discs, or get pagid pads and discs?

thanks again

No problem! Not sure if Pagid make uprated discs anymore. If your on a tight budget just go for std discs and Pagid RS42's. Maybe think about braided lines if not already done. The next upgrade would be slotted or drilled discs to clear pad faces and disperse gasses. The suggestion of increasing the disc size is a valid point as the larger the disc the more material there is to dissipate the heat generated from braking. However you will need new caliper carriers to space the caliper correctly.

HTH

Steve