MK3 Brakes

[jon7278]

Hi
I am new to golf ownership and was wondering how good the mk3 gti brakes are? I say this as my golf has had new pads all round two new front calipers and still the pedal doesnt seem that good. I have pressure bled the system 3-4 times to make sure all air is removed. Any other common problems with the brakes that I should be aware of? I say all this as I have had newish bmw's and the brakes were brilliant. Am I just expecting too much from a 15 year old car? 

[tweed]

What year and gti?
280mm 288mm?
Could be a MC on it's way out. But like you say you could be used to new cars. My mums beetle and my new van brakes are very sharp compared to mine.

[jon7278]

hi

1995 and they are 280mm.

[tweed]

my 16v came with 280mm brakes and they did fade a bit so I got a pair of 288mm brakes with green stuff pads for £21. put a pair of grooved discs on and they took a lot more to fade out. I don't rate green stuff pads by the way.

But they are good brakes. Nothing a good set of brake pads won't fix. you will always have a bit of pedal travel compared to new modern brakes.
Test them out and if the abs comes on then they're fine 

[jon7278]

Thanks for your replies. I put new pagid pads all round on. They do stop ok and the abs works. Thinking that you may be right about master cylinder though. I would say it has about an inch and a half travel before stopping. Its like they are being over servo'd!

[Wayne]

Could be a master cylinder problem.

[VW BUSH]

Remember you need to leave them to bed in for 100 miles plus, the brakes will not be sharp straight off the bat and you could warp/glaze them over very easy by overworking them when new
Mine has about an inch of travel before they really bite hard

[tweed]

Also let the brakes warm up. Mine have a better bite when they are warm.