Monaro VXR 6.0 - MASSIVE Brakes Problems!!!

[MalcN]

Hello to all,I've just found this forum and am praying it will be a godsend.

I took delivery of a 6.0 VXR Monaro at the end of April and absolutely love the way it looks,Sounds (had the £995 exhaust conversion fitted) and the way it goes. Previous car was a 4.5 Cerbera and this is far more useable on real roads, BUT, have a big problem in that it just won't STOP!!!

It's been at Pentagon in Derby now for 2 weeks cos at just over 1600 miles it has shredded front discs and pads. Major arguments with the dealer and Vauxhall UK that this is not acceptable wear and tear but its like hitting a brick wall!!

Is this a common experience?? Does anybody know of a suitable, sensibly priced solution??

Please Please somebody help cos am at my wits end with this....

Many thanks,

Malc

[caspy]

Have you done track days ?

[MalcN]

It did two ten minute sessions on a very wet track day at Donnington and that appears to be what Pentagon and VAuxhall are using as their get out of jail free card and totally ignoring the fact I have complained about the brakes since day one of normal road use!!!

[caspy]

The brakes are adequate and will pull you up safely and quickly a number of times. As was proved by the 0-100-0 times in Autocar. If there is repeated hard use then their limit will be reached quite quickly. If you drive through and on then damage will be done.

[MalcN]

Bloody Hell, Do you work for Vauxhall (lack of) customer care dept??? :-)

Seriously tho, Im not daft enough to drive on through brake fade but have had it loads of times on 'enthusiastic' drives out and had to slow right down or even park up to let them cool down, but on the final occasion I had to do an emergency stop on a dual carriagway and they gave out totally.

[thorney]

We're actually working on an upgraded brake kit for the VXR but its not ready yet.
Not what you needed to hear I'm sure but thought it was worth mentioning.

[MalcN]

Doea that confirm that the standard kit isnt really up to the job for performance road use?

[caspy]

Without sounding dismissive...maybe too enthusiastic driving for the std equipment on the car.

[MalcN]

Have had various performance cars from various manufacturers over the years, driven in enthuiastic ways on public roads only and never had any problems at all. Home come Vauxhall are selling cars advertised as Performance and 'Muscle' cars with insufficient equipment basically making the cars not fit for the purpose intended?

You didn't answer if you work for Vauxhall???....

[uk hsv]

don't mess about..............buy some AP/HSV brakes

[MalcN]

That was supposed to say, How come etc etc...

[A57 HSV]

MalcN said:

Doea that confirm that the standard kit isnt really up to the job for performance road use?

Exactly!
If you can take the pain to your wallet, fit AP brakes & totally transform your car. You will not be dissapointed.
Got mine via Linden SV (see Links at top of page).
Never heard of them getting destroyed quite so quickly, must be either a fault or your "Enthusiastic" drives are quite something.LOL.

[caspy]

I work for me...i imagine the failure came after the track ?

PS

I have the AP brakes as well.

>> Edited by caspy on Wednesday 13th July 14:42

[MalcN]

Thanks for the advice. Bit more info would be great please.

From where?? Any ideas on cost availability etc please??

Had no idea to expect these sort of issues and additional expenses when purchased the car.........

[MalcN]

Dont think Im the hardest driver out there so assumed a fault. Cant prove either way cos no pad material left to check and Vauxhall wont even consider benefit of the doubt.

[V8 OHV]

I said in another thread that I had also suffered major brake fade with my 2005 6.0 VXR last week, after 5 or so hard stops over 2 miles or so of hard driving.

The truth is that the stoppers are way inferior to the EVO 340 I owned and brake fade seems common on the car, alas.

Like many owners though, I am a bit peeved at having to find £3000 for new brakes which are actually up to the job.

I am with the author on this one. The brakes are NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Proof may be found in the fact that the new Vectra VXR has better brakes as standard but has 120bhp less.

>> Edited by V8 OHV on Wednesday 13th July 14:47

[MalcN]

Not immediately after the track. Ie not 5mins away on the way home. car had been stood for 2 hours then driven for 70 ish miles in traffic. First hard press and the usual brake fade but this time no pad left. Been having the problem since 60 miles and often in normal traffic conditions but when one sudden incident provoked hard braking

[MalcN]

Definately!!!!

If enough people stand up and say so then Vauxhall may just wake up and start to take some action

[uk hsv]

it is a pitty you came to the forum late in the day as this brake upgrade path has been well documented.....

BUT here is a quick run down.
1. Fit red stuff ceramic pads and add dot5.1 fluid
2. as above + DBA drilled and groveed discs
3. AP/HSV brakes all round (top option) cost about £3500 + fitting if you order yourself from OZ.....
4. Caution some poor quality stuff coming from the USA so be carefull!!
5. New boys on the block Allcon have some good stuff but no experience in the UK yet

[MalcN]

It is a great shame, especially as Ive just paid the repalcement cost to vauxhall of around a grand!!!

I do intend to continue the fight with VAuxhall about this but now feel Ive just wasted the money to replace the exact system that isnt up to the job, I had pinned my hopes that it was just a faulty set of pads. Doesnt sound like it now.

Thanks for all the replies and info, Great forum.