GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: jcrollie on 23 July 2025, 16:01
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Calling out to any fellow TCR owners... pads need changing so going to get front discs done at same time as car is approaching 36k miles and will need doing anyway. To source from VW is £218 each for pads, and then the pads are £270 then labour will be just shy of £900 (by a VW specialist). So was wondering if any of you have had to change your discs and pads and sourced an OEM quality alternative or managed to source some OEM at a better price? Grateful for any thoughts :whistle:
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By the above do you mean the pads are £218 and the discs are £270?
If so I'd check that they are quoting you for the correct discs as the genuine TCR ones are normally around £500 a pair.
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-car/volkswagen/golf-mk7/genuine-mqb-340x30mm-clubsport-s-front-brake-discs-pair-5q0615301c/
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From what I am told, both of the pads come to 270 and then each disc is 218 each + VAT so brings it in line with the 500 for pair of discs like you say. Autodoc sell Brembo discs which look suitable and are much cheaper?
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/brembo/15251183
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That makes sense then.
Those Brembo's do look a tempting price. Two things though, given the oems are sold as being lighter, that may affect the drive. On the other hand, the oems are not pairs, they are all identical meaning that on one side the vents are the wrong way round so that side won't be as effective at cooling. In practise on road perhaps that won't matter. I'd still be tempted to get the oems though as that is just how I prefer doing things. I'd certainly be interested in how you find any non-oem parts if that is what you decide on.
One other point though, do the discs actually need replacing? Mine are on 50k and wear hasn't been mentioned yet on a service.
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Regarding the discs, probably not. Might be overstating how worn they are and wasn't flagged in the MOT which was only 6k miles ago before I bought the car. Will ask the VW Specialist as I do have a feeling they may have plenty of life left in them.
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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296971936755?var=0&_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338458645&toolid=10029&customid=532556172586712823&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=1006912&adtype=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkILEBhDeARIsAL--pjzLvlW4FVhB_SrFGpkfnM7SJNMjjAovfjtFp48m-iWD2Yr8kouJdUUaApwhEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAo6Oxt5v0vyhVZvu1XVuPBLYPYHAp
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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296971936755?var=0&_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338458645&toolid=10029&customid=532556172586712823&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=1006912&adtype=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkILEBhDeARIsAL--pjzLvlW4FVhB_SrFGpkfnM7SJNMjjAovfjtFp48m-iWD2Yr8kouJdUUaApwhEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAo6Oxt5v0vyhVZvu1XVuPBLYPYHAp
Just be aware, there is ~£60 delivery fee + import tax, I think in total mine came out to £550 so not the bargain they first appear.
Can't complain though, they look and perform great (aside the "handed" issue), you do notice the 900g weight saving, would recommend!
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That makes sense then.
Those Brembo's do look a tempting price. Two things though, given the oems are sold as being lighter, that may affect the drive. On the other hand, the oems are not pairs, they are all identical meaning that on one side the vents are the wrong way round so that side won't be as effective at cooling. In practise on road perhaps that won't matter. I'd still be tempted to get the oems though as that is just how I prefer doing things. I'd certainly be interested in how you find any non-oem parts if that is what you decide on.
One other point though, do the discs actually need replacing? Mine are on 50k and wear hasn't been mentioned yet on a service.
Unless I am mistaken, the Brembo disks seem to be same weight as the OEM ones? Unless the Clubsport S discs are the ones used on the TCR originally as it says on that eBay listing that the OEM discs weigh 10.7kg like the Brembo ones. I'm almost certainly not going to change the discs at the moment anyway as I think that was a premature idea, but will come back to this at the time.
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CSS discs were standard on the TCR.
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Okay that makes sens. Thanks :grin:
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Just FYI, the pads are usually extortionate but there is some Arteon R ones which I bought recently for £85.
I'll try and find the listing for you. They are genuine and work spot on.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305830055929?_skw=arteon+brake+pads&itmmeta=01K0YVX3BYHRX0WDDYZ35HXNY3&hash=item4734e44ff9:g:e~UAAOSwS-5mbYYR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fkdnG7ZIDYBkAroLgccDUrlSD3qxGmGJGicXP5zi%2BR1%2FAgYTcOPGRxcOeNBjpEm2oYAkAhchVhRyQDqZXNBf%2F5CNl23gMBqQUtwgqzcnUle4LwsNhqs7zCj2Q1kGYUgt7QiJvFYilXF8QYfPkz2U1ga2isfUAqGja1NqGfynpV%2BzOw%2BabbRZq6HiL%2FTNXNio6IBChK1espKfVjmH43ZW2500timKvA%2F04qRXy%2BFd9fw0H5MdQ4TPUMsDbj5MfyFaxY7p9slWBEHP1OObrH6Tzg0%2B76TYNTnVHaF8PTmgi%2F9Q%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5C29NuHZg
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From info I have gathered the pads on the CSS, TCR and performance GTi are all the same size, but not the same compound. The originals for the CSS are made by Ferodo. Unless you are 'on it' all the time a set of Ferodo premier pads will likely be more than sufficient as Ferodo tailor compounds (within a range) to cars unlike some aftermarket brake companies that use less compounds and cookie cutter the pad shape all with the same compounds. If you wanted to go up a level you could try DS2500 which I think might be the compound used in the CSS (I bought my CSS pads from VW and it had a Ferodo logo in the corner of the box). Then onto serious stuff if required after those options Carbone Lorraine, Carbotech XP8 XP10 etc.
Zimmerman are likely the OE for the 2 piece discs. Doubt many companies would be making them just for kicks, so guess they are OE but can't see them any cheaper than VW direct (must be some tie in reason).
https://www.zimmermann-bremsentechnik.eu/594491-zimmermann-brake-disc-vw-golf-vii--5g1--bq1--be1--be2---front.html (https://www.zimmermann-bremsentechnik.eu/594491-zimmermann-brake-disc-vw-golf-vii--5g1--bq1--be1--be2---front.html)
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From info I have gathered the pads on the CSS, TCR and performance GTi are all the same size, but not the same compound. The originals for the CSS are made by Ferodo. Unless you are 'on it' all the time a set of Ferodo premier pads will likely be more than sufficient as Ferodo tailor compounds (within a range) to cars unlike some aftermarket brake companies that use less compounds and cookie cutter the pad shape all with the same compounds. If you wanted to go up a level you could try DS2500 which I think might be the compound used in the CSS (I bought my CSS pads from VW and it had a Ferodo logo in the corner of the box). Then onto serious stuff if required after those options Carbone Lorraine, Carbotech XP8 XP10 etc.
Zimmerman are likely the OE for the 2 piece discs. Doubt many companies would be making them just for kicks, so guess they are OE but can't see them any cheaper than VW direct (must be some tie in reason).
https://www.zimmermann-bremsentechnik.eu/594491-zimmermann-brake-disc-vw-golf-vii--5g1--bq1--be1--be2---front.html (https://www.zimmermann-bremsentechnik.eu/594491-zimmermann-brake-disc-vw-golf-vii--5g1--bq1--be1--be2---front.html)
I'm prettt sure the Mk7.5 GTI Performance has same size brake discs but aren't cross drilled like the TCR and a clubsport. On the road frankly won't make a difference but I didn't buy a GTI Performance so don't want to downgrade it even if it would save some money! I'm pretty sure I won't need to change the discs for a while longer anyway :smiley:
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Just FYI, the pads are usually extortionate but there is some Arteon R ones which I bought recently for £85.
I'll try and find the listing for you. They are genuine and work spot on.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305830055929?_skw=arteon+brake+pads&itmmeta=01K0YVX3BYHRX0WDDYZ35HXNY3&hash=item4734e44ff9:g:e~UAAOSwS-5mbYYR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fkdnG7ZIDYBkAroLgccDUrlSD3qxGmGJGicXP5zi%2BR1%2FAgYTcOPGRxcOeNBjpEm2oYAkAhchVhRyQDqZXNBf%2F5CNl23gMBqQUtwgqzcnUle4LwsNhqs7zCj2Q1kGYUgt7QiJvFYilXF8QYfPkz2U1ga2isfUAqGja1NqGfynpV%2BzOw%2BabbRZq6HiL%2FTNXNio6IBChK1espKfVjmH43ZW2500timKvA%2F04qRXy%2BFd9fw0H5MdQ4TPUMsDbj5MfyFaxY7p9slWBEHP1OObrH6Tzg0%2B76TYNTnVHaF8PTmgi%2F9Q%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5C29NuHZg
EB2019 is correct.
They won't be the right pad for that particular application.
The right shape and size - yes, but not the right compound.
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I'm prettt sure the Mk7.5 GTI Performance has same size brake discs but aren't cross drilled like the TCR and a clubsport. On the road frankly won't make a difference but I didn't buy a GTI Performance so don't want to downgrade it even if it would save some money! I'm pretty sure I won't need to change the discs for a while longer anyway :smiley:
Iirc, GTIP discs are 330mm and CSS/TCR discs are 340mm.
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I'm prettt sure the Mk7.5 GTI Performance has same size brake discs but aren't cross drilled like the TCR and a clubsport. On the road frankly won't make a difference but I didn't buy a GTI Performance so don't want to downgrade it even if it would save some money! I'm pretty sure I won't need to change the discs for a while longer anyway :smiley:
Iirc, GTIP discs are 330mm and CSS/TCR discs are 340mm.
I'm not sure that's right. The GTIP and the CSS/TCR discs are the same size, pads size too, the VW cost cutting led to just putting different discs and pad compound of the CSS, the TCR has the exact same part number as the GTIP for pads, so only got the discs. If my memory serves my right from the VIN and part number look ups I did.
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Perhaps I'm thinking about the GTIPP (MK7).
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Autodoc have them, interestingly Zimmermann also sell a slotted set of discs which come in both left and right so I'm assuming that means that the ventilation slots are sided?
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/brake-disc-10132/vw/golf/golf-vii-5g1-be1/126007-2-0-gti?criteria%5B200%5D%5B%5D=340&supplier%5B%5D=86
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I'm prettt sure the Mk7.5 GTI Performance has same size brake discs but aren't cross drilled like the TCR and a clubsport. On the road frankly won't make a difference but I didn't buy a GTI Performance so don't want to downgrade it even if it would save some money! I'm pretty sure I won't need to change the discs for a while longer anyway :smiley:
Iirc, GTIP discs are 330mm and CSS/TCR discs are 340mm.
I found the original press materials online and they claim the 2013 PP model had 340mm discs
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I'm prettt sure the Mk7.5 GTI Performance has same size brake discs but aren't cross drilled like the TCR and a clubsport. On the road frankly won't make a difference but I didn't buy a GTI Performance so don't want to downgrade it even if it would save some money! I'm pretty sure I won't need to change the discs for a while longer anyway :smiley:
Iirc, GTIP discs are 330mm and CSS/TCR discs are 340mm.
I found the original press materials online and they claim the 2013 PP model had 340mm discs
Then I'm clearly going mad!
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My GTI PP has 340mm discs, here are the part numbers:
09.C306.11 Brembo Discs
P85144 Brembo Pads