GTI TCR Brake Discs and Pads

[jcrollie]

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 

[Watts]

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/

[jcrollie]

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

[Watts]

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.

[jcrollie]

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.

[smig]

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

[je5343]

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!

[jcrollie]

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.

[Watts]

CSS discs were standard on the TCR.

[jcrollie]

Okay that makes sens. Thanks