Pads & Discs - which to go for?

[GL01]

Pads and discs need replacing on my Volvo V40 T5. The car shares a brake setup (and engine!) with ths Mk2 Focus STs meaning good choice of parts, or a choice of Brembo, Pagid and the other usual ECP suppliers. Not driven on track but often enjoyed on windy country roads, so with 254hp and weighing 1500kg a good set of pads and discs is probably quite essential. Can anyone reccomend the best ones to go for, without breaking the bank but without huge compromise in stopping power?

[Tony1963]

I’d start with finding out how much Volvo and Ford charge for the standard parts. Unless you’ve experienced braking issues, there’s no real need to go down the fast road/brake dust/squealing route.

If Volvo and Ford want to charge far too much, start looking elsewhere, but just be careful. Have you ever suffered brake fade etc with this car?

[GL01]

Haven't suffered from brake fade, probably haven't driven it that hard yet! ECP have 45% off car parts right now, it's about the same price for both Pagid and Brembo too. This saves about £100 over OEM parts, however still not sure about Pagid vs Brembo which I can see is quite a debated topic!

[E-bmw]

GL01 said:

still not sure about Pagid vs Brembo which I can see is quite a debated topic!

True, there are as many horror stories from each but equally many who have used both/either for years.

I personally have used Pagid on many many occasions & never had a single issue.

This will be counteracted by someone saying the opposite within the hour, of that I am certain.

[Chris32345]

GL01 said:

Haven't suffered from brake fade, probably haven't driven it that hard yet! ECP have 45% off car parts right now, it's about the same price for both Pagid and Brembo too. This saves about £100 over OEM parts, however still not sure about Pagid vs Brembo which I can see is quite a debated topic!

For the oe spec ones virtually no difference
You'd have to get a decelerometer to notice the difference

[How u doing]

E-bmw said:

GL01 said:

still not sure about Pagid vs Brembo which I can see is quite a debated topic!

True, there are as many horror stories from each but equally many who have used both/either for years.

I personally have used Pagid on many many occasions & never had a single issue.

This will be counteracted by someone saying the opposite within the hour, of that I am certain.

I'm also happy with pagid.

[Drive it fix it repeat]

Unless I’m setting up something a bit special I alway use brembo pads and discs. Good quality stuff that isn’t made from coke cans and good prices normally.

[stevieturbo]

I'm sure you can get genuine Volvo discs/pads for reasonable money online. That'd be my first choice if you're not actually doing track work.
And even then, I'd probably still choose Volvo discs with a slightly more suitable pad.

[Scrump]

If the choice is between Brembo and Pagid then I would choose Brembo.
Have used both over the years but one bad experience with a set of Pagid discs and pads means I now default to Brembo. I may have just been unlucky with that set of Pagids but it makes my choice going forward easier.

[Smint]

Another vote for Brembo, my go to make for some time now, good bite and last well.

[DuncsGTi]

Who make the OE discs and pads?

The reason I ask is when I buy direct from Renault, the discs for my Megane 225 are Brembo and are usually around the same price as ECP or GSF for equivalent parts

[stevieturbo]

DuncsGTi said:

Who make the OE discs and pads?

The reason I ask is when I buy direct from Renault, the discs for my Megane 225 are Brembo and are usually around the same price as ECP or GSF for equivalent parts

Doesn't matter who makes them, actual OE discs and pads will almost never be the same as that same brand sells to the aftermarket.