Discs & Pads

[Teutonic_Tamer]

....Yep, I'm out of warranty. I have the Dot 5.1 fluid because it's what AP supply with their BBK.

I think that is the standard practice for all BBKs, be they from AP, Brembo, Alcon, or whoever.

I am on very good terms with them and will ask their opinion too on the 'ESP-rated' VW fluid being used in their kit. Having spent time with them I am naturally inclined to trust and take their advice, but also I always take notice of your advice.

I fully understand your high regard of AP, and respect that.  However, I would be slightly cautious of their reply.  AP are undoubtedly experts with brake calipers, and will no doubt state that any "DOT" fluid will be fine, in their calipers.  But the real concern is how the fluid behaves in the really tiny passages in ABS/ESP modulators - and I personally doubt AP have any real concrete expertise.  So looking purely at the behaviour of the ABS/ESP, I would be inclined, in this specific instance to listen to the actual car manufacturers.

Again, I could use one of my "longstanding" questions/comments - is 5.1 needed in the massive RS6, or the Veyron?  No, the genuine VW fluid is perfectly acceptable.

....Did I have my open fog grills when I experienced brake fade? - No I definitely didn't - They were still closed versions - I have checked my photo dates and I converted to open grills 9th Sept 2006 and it was earlier in that Summer I had brake fade because AP installed my BBK the day before I drove to Berlin in early November. I just had to spend some serious time looking that all up but it's useful to know.

Oh, right.  Thanks for looking anyway. 

....Do I sit on the fence? In life I have been accused of that, but it's only because I always endeavour to see both sides of an opinion. Regarding modding, yes, some of my mods are purely cosmetic (wing mirror skins for example), some are cosmetic but have the bonus of some small/tiny advantage, others are purely performance. And some, such as open fog grills, have very debatable benefits and there are those who say they are a definite disadvantage

Sorry, I think you may have misunderstood me.  I was actually trying to state that you stand on "both" sides of the fence - some of your mods are purely cosmetic, whereas others are purely for performance.  I didn't mean to imply that you "sat on the fence", ie, are indecisive. 

[Edition30]

Think I would be interested to know also...I wont be remapping the ED30 anytime soon so standard discs plus uprated pads should do nicely. I dont take it on any track days, so it will meet my requirements.

What size discs are they on the GTI ED30's just out of interest?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

What size discs are they on the GTI ED30's just out of interest?

Same as standard GTI.

Fronts 312x25mm, and rear 286x12mm. 

[neg]

Maybe the DS2500's ??  

Anyone have experience of the DS2500's - any noisier? produce more dust ?

I would be open to other suggestions too, also what other drilled discs are available for the GTI stock setup -anyone know?

[RedRobin]

I am on very good terms with them and will ask their opinion too on the 'ESP-rated' VW fluid being used in their kit. Having spent time with them I am naturally inclined to trust and take their advice, but also I always take notice of your advice.

I fully understand your high regard of AP, and respect that.  However, I would be slightly cautious of their reply.  AP are undoubtedly experts with brake calipers, and will no doubt state that any "DOT" fluid will be fine, in their calipers.  But the real concern is how the fluid behaves in the really tiny passages in ABS/ESP modulators - and I personally doubt AP have any real concrete expertise.  So looking purely at the behaviour of the ABS/ESP, I would be inclined, in this specific instance to listen to the actual car manufacturers.

Again, I could use one of my "longstanding" questions/comments - is 5.1 needed in the massive RS6, or the Veyron?  No, the genuine VW fluid is perfectly acceptable.

....In conclusion (if such a thing exists!), I would deduce that whereas Dot 5.1 is perfectly acceptable in BBK's, VW's 'ABS/ESP-friendly' fluid would perform better. I assume that there wouldn't be any detrimental effect in using VW fluid with a Big Brake Kit on the Mk5 GTI. << Sorry I see that you have already answered this!

[Teutonic_Tamer]

I am on very good terms with them and will ask their opinion too on the 'ESP-rated' VW fluid being used in their kit. Having spent time with them I am naturally inclined to trust and take their advice, but also I always take notice of your advice.

I fully understand your high regard of AP, and respect that.  However, I would be slightly cautious of their reply.  AP are undoubtedly experts with brake calipers, and will no doubt state that any "DOT" fluid will be fine, in their calipers.  But the real concern is how the fluid behaves in the really tiny passages in ABS/ESP modulators - and I personally doubt AP have any real concrete expertise.  So looking purely at the behaviour of the ABS/ESP, I would be inclined, in this specific instance to listen to the actual car manufacturers.

Again, I could use one of my "longstanding" questions/comments - is 5.1 needed in the massive RS6, or the Veyron?  No, the genuine VW fluid is perfectly acceptable.

....In conclusion (if such a thing exists!), I would deduce that whereas Dot 5.1 is perfectly acceptable in BBK's, VW's 'ABS/ESP-friendly' fluid would perform better. I assume that there wouldn't be any detrimental effect in using VW fluid with a Big Brake Kit on the Mk5 GTI. << Sorry I see that you have already answered this!

Got it!   

Basically, the DOT5.1 is best left to specialist racing cars, which have had the ABS/ESP removed - such as BTCC race cars, or track prepared specials.

[bacillus]

fwiw I use ATE Super Blue Racing Fluid in my car that is a DOT 4 grade brake fluid!

It has a high dry boiling point (280 deg C) and a high wet boiling point (198 deg C) but without being excessively hygroscopic.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

fwiw I use ATE Super Blue Racing Fluid in my car that is a DOT 4 grade brake fluid!

But is a low viscosity formula for ABS/ESP systems?  And does it meet VW501.14?

It has a high dry boiling point (280 deg C) and a high wet boiling point (198 deg C) but without being excessively hygroscopic.

That is only 26degC higher than the VW stuff!

[bacillus]

I don't actually know the answer to your query but the specs of the ATE Super Blue Racing Fluid are FMVSS No. 116 - DOT4 and DOT3*, SAE J1703  and DIN/ISO 4925.

The VW manual only specifies that the fluid should be US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

I don't actually know the answer to your query but the specs of the ATE Super Blue Racing Fluid are FMVSS No. 116 - DOT4 and DOT3*, SAE J1703  and DIN/ISO 4925.

They are all standard specs for brake fluid.

The VW manual only specifies that the fluid should be US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4.

But if you read the small print, it will say sommat like "the specification of engine oils and other fluids listed in this manual were correct when printed.  Oils and fluids are constanly evolving and being improved, therefore contact your local VW stealer for the latest up to date specifications"   

Furthermore, if you look at the brakes manuals in my sticky thread, is specifically states in those of the VW brake fluid spec, and the 2008m/y requirements.  So if your car is still in warranty, and the ATE brake fluid don't have the VW standard on it, and your ESP modulator goes t!ts up, you'll be looking at the best part of a £grand for a new one - and for what - £25 brake fluid with an extra 26degC higher boiling point.