brakes upgrade advice?

[dan_b]

Hello
I'm new to the board, and have read a few of the posts on brake upgrades etc. I would like to know in all honesty what's the best upgrade for the S2, that isn't going to break the bank?

I've had my S2 coupe for 8 months - the previous owner had modified engine, exhaust and suspension but not the brakes, and whilst I'm enjoying the speed, I'm very quickly realising how poor the stock brakes are!

Are there any ways of using better brakes from the Audi parts bin from more recent cars, which might be cheaper than, say, the 4-pot/big disc options from Hi-spec/Mov-it etc?

How much should I be prepared to spend on a brake upgrade?

Thanks for your help!

[valjo]

i prefer rs2 brakes kit.
you should see page www.s2central.net for informations!

[Doug_RS2]

Speak to Lee (S2_Driver) on www.rs246.com (I don't know if he is using this forum) as he uses standard RS4 360mm discs, custom brackets and 6 pot ap calipers. He said he could do the kit for less than the Porsche or standard AP kit.

If I was upgrading standard brakes I would go this route. Of course you need 18" wheels.

HTH

[S2central.net]

The *best* is probably the AP racing kit, but the price is enough to scare most people away - then add 17" alloys.

The *best value for money* seems to be the kit from HiSpec Brakes in the UK. It fits the standard wheels, works with A8 discs and costs about half the AP kit. A few guys onthe group have it already - so would I have had a spare wedge

Paul

[dan_b]

Thanks for the quick replies and useful advice.

I've got 17" Porsche Cup alloys (RS2 replicas), so could accommodate bigger discs (but not the REALLY big ones!). I had thought about the AP Racing kit, but when I heard the price, there was just no way :eek2:

When you say the A8 discs go on, do they require any alterations, or can they just drop straight in?

[blu_s2]

When used with Hi-Spec custom brackets and Monster 4 callipers they just bolt straight on.

[dan_b]

Now that is good news - another dumb question now though, is that the standard A8 disc, or the S8 disc (I'm assuming the S8 has bigger brakes?)

Any thoughts on what pads to use? I've had Pagid ones in the past which seemed to work fine?

I may have to give Hi-Spec a call and speak nicely to the bank manager...

[Dr H]

You want the A8 disc that is 314x30mm, it's off some of the bigger engined cars but I guess smaller than the S8.

You can have it grooved by Hispec for £20 per disc, I did but I'm not sure what gains it really gives. Makes a hell of a noise under heavy high speed braking though

I think me and Jim (blu_s2) both went with EBC greens. I know audiman has EBC reds but then by all acounts he's a total nutter in his car so needs to performace (no offence Tom ) I think Hispec actually recommended Ferodo DS200 but I was too much of a cheap skate as they were twice the price (£89). You can get EBC, Ferodo, Mintex and Pagid to fit the Monster calipers.

As you have 17" wheels you could go bigger but then you are into buying much more expensive discs and I guess Hispec would need to re-work the caliper mounting bracket.

HTH

Leigh

[dan_b]

£744 for 4-pot calipers, 314x30 discs, EBC Greenstuff pads, braided hoses and brake fluid. Not sure if that includes VAT or fitting though, does that sound about right? (Extra £25 a disc to groove them)

Nice people there though

[Dr H]

See blu_s2's post

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=172&highlight=hispec

Seems the same price. The only thing I would say it that they only supply 2 SS hoses as part of the kit. You either need 4 (to directly replace the 4 stnadard ones at the front - 2 each side) or two long ones (one for each side) that replace the current 2 plus the connector. If you are having them fit the brakes just point this out when you are there.

Hispec are pretty good but the only problem is getting hold of them, sometimes it's not easy. I think the 2 of us from the group who had hispec fit them had to arrange it well in adavnce and leave the car with them for the whole day.

At least you are not too far away, I had over a 400 mile round trip :wacked:

HTH

Leigh

[porkkis]

A bit off topic but I think that it sucks that in UK goods can be advertised without VAT. In here all prices are with VAT and then sellers just calculate it out if the buyer is allowed to buy non-VAT stuff.
I've surfed eg needforspeed.co.uk few times and always the prices seem so low and then I realise I have to add VAT and so on... That just sucks.

[AbsS2]

Just went to the HiSpec webby.. seems they have been hacked

Main windows replaced by

"[Affix ownz you] - [by CHORAO] - [irc.brasnet.org #affix] "

People have too much spare time :wacked:

[audiman]

If you dont want to spend too much money but want a fairly good kit then hi-spec is the way. Like my fellow s2 dudes have said already, i have 8 grooved discs and red stuff pads. And this is possibly not suited to everyones taste, i think i may buy some green stuff for everyday use and keep the reds for my track days.

The discs are standard A* 314x30mm discs that you could buy from any motor factor if you wished to, all you need from hi-spec are the calipers and mounting brackets and the hoses. The pads are standard AP Racing caliper pads, such as DP2002 (green stuff) or DP3002 (red stuff)

HTH

PS. Leigh is it a really loud noise you get or is that just me, they make some ****** loud noises when good and hot. But not like a metallic noise just like an aeroplane landing type noise. Please say yes

[Mark Halligan]

Just thought I'd chime in here, I use red stuff pads on my Porsche/Movit front brakes, for what it is worth these were recomended by AMD, and I find them fine for everyday use, and that IS everyday, driving in traffic through North London to and from work (maybe that makes them warm up quicker?).

Ive never had a scary moment yet, and I scare easily :eek2: .

Mark.

[Dr H]

Tom

They make a very 'deep' noise when you stamp on them at high speeds. I bet you use them much harder than me! It doesn't sound metallic at all, more of a low rumble if that is the right word

Everything seems fine, worried me the first time but I put it down to the grooves

Leigh