Pagid from ECP - Everything they’re cracked up to be?

[Bossworld]

I got rid of my MK3 MR2 and ended up with a Golf Cabrio (mk6). Car is nearly five years old and high miles, but had full VWFSH. Unfortunately it looks like it was stood at the dealer for about 8 months prior to my purchase, so the discs and pads were looking a bit scabby.

I changed all four discs out for Borg and Beck, and got Brembo pads from ECP. Same combo I had on the MR2, and a stab of the brakes is enough to put your face through the windscreen.

But noticed on the Golf Facebook groups, there are lots of people singing Pagid’s praises and slagging off Brembo. Comments for the former seem to be ‘they’re OE equipment for several brands’ and comments for the latter are ‘they’re cheap rebranded Chinese crap’.

A bit of digging suggests that may all be apocryphal Facebook nonsense. Brembo seemingly have their own Chinese manufacturing plant.

But interestingly, it seems Pagid is possibly licensed to EuroCarParts (in the UK at least). Similar to some Kenwood products at Curry’s - they’re just using the brand name.

Can anyone shed any light on either? Can’t be arsed to argue back seeing as mine have been fine, but genuinely curious to know if ECP Pagid is actually the same as OE Pagid as allegedly fitted by some marques.

Another thread for reference: https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threa...

[Bossworld]

stevieturbo said:

What are they cracked up to be ?

The second coming of Jesus, going off the FB groups (though that’s not saying much, it’s the same people repeatedly replying due to other’s inability to use the search button). Always the same daily questions about oil/brakes/head units.

On a more serious note, as above, apparently they’re the same thing fitted to lots of cars out of the factory.

Great, fast moving resources that make it easier to share troubleshooting pics/videos, but should never replace the accumulated knowledge on forums.

Edited by Bossworld on Sunday 7th March 18:06

[Bossworld]

g3org3y said:

Link: https://pagid.com/about-us/#:~:text=Pagid%20is%20a...

I've only used them once for 'fast road pads' on an old E36. They were decent enough, quite dusty though.

I think the crux is whether Pagid supplied by ECP, is the same as the stuff being touted as OEM equipment or not. This site says not necessarily: https://autotechnician.co.uk/stop/

"Some factors have introduced their own brands, as a means of achieving economies-of-scale and building customer loyalty but, potentially, this courts confusion even further. Euro Car Parts (ECP) told us that it arranged to distribute the Pagid brand exclusively a decade ago, after it was acquired by TMD friction in 2002. Its reasoning was to combine the company’s widespread network and rapid delivery service with Pagid’s OE heritage. The strategy appears to have worked, with ECP reporting that the brand has grown phenomenally, although it is worth adding that the Pagid range extends beyond the friction components alone. "

Avon tyres (which I have on my Mini, and had on the MR2) trade off their reputation as historically being factory choice for Rolls Royce/Bentley. Just wondered if we've got a similar thing going on here - not alleging that Pagid are bad, but just find it interesting the Brembos get such a bad rep in comparison for the same thing (that ECP Brembo, isn't the same Brembo as the stuff found in four pots and the like).

Edited by Bossworld on Sunday 7th March 18:34