Brake question on S1

[up-the-dubs]

Having got my S1 a few weeks ago now I was wondering about the brakes and those metal matrix discs that the cars first came with. The car is on EBC Green Stuff pads but how do I tell if it's still on the origional discs? They don't need changing just yet but will be done before a European drive in August and wanted to know whats best to replace them with.

Thanks.

[Twit]

If the car is on greenstuff pads I don't think it will have MMC brakes as the pads and disks are pretty specialist, I might be wrong but my old S1 had MMC brakes and I seen to remember you needing specialist pads and disks. Others can probably confirm.

In terms of telling whether the car has them, first they don't produce brake dust so you will have clean wheels most the time! Second, they cab really squeak until they are properly hot, that was my biggest irritation with them as they made so much noise! Third, get a magnet and try and attach it to the disk - it won't stick and fourth, they look a bit duller than standard disks.

The positives are that they last ages, can get a lot of miles out of a set of pads and disks. When they are hot, particularly on track days, they are brilliant - much better than other pads and disk set ups; but when they need replacing they are not cheap!

[Matt172]

If they've got greenstuff pads, they won't have MMC discs, you can only run MMC's with MMC pads

[TIPPER]

As above re the MMC brakes.
I'd chuck the greenstuff pads BTW. Fit a set of Mintex 1144 all round (about £100) and be amazed at the difference.

[Birdthom]

But what if the DPO fitted the green stuff to MMC discs? That would be bad (obviously) but how can you tell if you have MMC discs on a car you have just bought?

[Twit]

Birdthom said:

But what if the DPO fitted the green stuff to MMC discs? That would be bad (obviously) but how can you tell if you have MMC discs on a car you have just bought?

You havent, an MMC disk would destroy a greenstuff pad really very very quickly! But easy way is get a magnet and put it on the disc, if it sticks, which I'm sure it will, then you do not have MMC brakes! Added to that have you washed any brake dust off of the car when you wash it? If you have you do not have MMC disks, they do not produce dust.

[wacattack]

From what ive heard the greenstuff pads arent the best.

As has been previously mentioned, Id go for the mintex, awesome pads!

[TIPPER]

I can't reliably help you with that one but I know a man (or forum) that can. Do a search on Seloc: you should find your answers.

[Esprit]

Twit said:

Birdthom said:

But what if the DPO fitted the green stuff to MMC discs? That would be bad (obviously) but how can you tell if you have MMC discs on a car you have just bought?

You havent, an MMC disk would destroy a greenstuff pad really very very quickly!

Not correct... you can run Greenstuffs on an MMC disc but its not advisable. MMC discs are a light grey colour and are a LOT lighter than a standard disc.

This is a pic of an MMC disc off my old car (ignore the scoring, that's why I photographed the disc in the first place)



As has been said, a Magnet is also the easiest way to test.

MMCs are fantastic, but should be used with the right AlliedSignal pads. If you've got MMC discs and greenstuff pads, change them RIGHT AWAY

Edited by Esprit on Sunday 16th March 11:05

[Birdthom]

thanks - I'll try the magnet next time I see the car (about to buy it) but the discs certainly don't have that blackened appearance to the contact area.