Brake Pad upgrade for GTI MK6

[hooba]

The trick I learnt from CCP detailing course is to hit the Detroits and the callipers with a high pressure hose. I didn't find that putting sealant on them made much of difference (did one side of the car), but hitting the callipers got a heap of residual dust out that never made its way onto the wheels.

[sharkablue]

My GTI is a MK10 model which I picked up in July 2010. So I have the larger rears.

Is there much point in cereamic over normal brakes?

[Diesel_vert]

Hey guys,

I am looking to update all my tyres (http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/foru...tml#post789845), however while I am at it I was thinking of perhaps getting new brake pads for all my wheels.

If I could find a set of brake pads that provide better performance and less brake dust it would be great (I have 18" Detroits and would love to keep them shiny for longer haha).

What do people recommend?

Consider getting some ATE Ceramic Brake Pads (see this thread for pics).

HSY Autoparts is the Australian importer so contact them for your nearest distributor.

The car has done 29,000KM so far, so im not 100% sure how long the stock brake pads are meant to last for?

Pretty open ended question - depends on what conditions you drive in and how hard you are on the brakes. Brand new pads are 14 mm thick & wear limit is 2 mm, so once you've measured the current thickness, you can then predict when you need to replace them.

P.S: If you upgrade/ change your brake pads from the genuine VW ones they put on a GTI, is your warranty void?

If it's of merchantable quality, then probably not. However, if any non-OEM part/s are found to have contributed to a problem, they may tell you to take it up with the manufacturer of said part/s and then it's up to you to chase it up with them.

However, ATE themselves are an OEM supplier of brake components for German and other European marques, so I really wouldn't be too concerned with quality.

Is there much point in ceramic over normal brakes?

Essentially, by virtue of using less metallic compounds, you get less black-coloured brake dust for similar performance as stock.

Not to be confused with carbon-ceramic brakes as used by exotic machinery. You literally have to be drowning in money to even consider a properly set up aftermarket system.