280mm front brakes can be sourced from Seat Cordoba 16V for definite, probably Ibiza 16V, but not the Toledo 16V (it's 5-stud). You *may* find 280mm fronts on 16V Passats, too. lowlier Passats certainly have 256mm set ups, which do just bolt up, same as the 280mm, except for rotors, pads and caliper carriers.
If you're stripping the Golf, in all seriousness, with 280mm front brakes, on Zimmerman rotors and good OEM spec pads you won't go far wrong and I'd be VERY surprised if you cooked the pads - 280mm rotors are big ole bells. Even with R888s on I've not managed to get any fade from my brakes, although I do drive slowly and like a girl, according to some people. My experience would be from driving 'ring, Combe, Goodwood and sometimes even on public roads.
