Mk 5 Golf GTi brakes
Discussion
I’ve got a mk5 golf gti which I’m going to do a few TDs in next year.
It’s running the standard brake setup with the standard 17” wheels.
I’ve been searching, but all I find is owners putting BBKs on. I’m happy to do that if needed, but I can’t find anyone talking about how they get on with the standard setup and better pads/fluid.
Anyone tried running one with a decent track pad on the standard brakes? I tend to not be out for more than 20 minutes in a stint and my braking style is hard on/off and as late as I can, I don’t do long brake applications on track.
Will probably be running cup 2 tyres, so they shouldn’t be too much of a limiting factor.
It’s running the standard brake setup with the standard 17” wheels.
I’ve been searching, but all I find is owners putting BBKs on. I’m happy to do that if needed, but I can’t find anyone talking about how they get on with the standard setup and better pads/fluid.
Anyone tried running one with a decent track pad on the standard brakes? I tend to not be out for more than 20 minutes in a stint and my braking style is hard on/off and as late as I can, I don’t do long brake applications on track.
Will probably be running cup 2 tyres, so they shouldn’t be too much of a limiting factor.
There's nothing to stop you going the cheaper route first with track pads, decent fluid, braided hoses & cooling ducts for now - and then decide whether you want to spend on a BBK.
It's the Cup 2 tyres that will end up requiring a better braking set up, as they will require more force before they lock up, so you'll put more energy into the braking system.
It's the Cup 2 tyres that will end up requiring a better braking set up, as they will require more force before they lock up, so you'll put more energy into the braking system.
Thanks, and I do appreciate the feedback, but I’m trying to avoid wasting money on pads and a TD if I go down that route and they turn out to not be up to the job so I’m looking for specific feedback on the car. Been round the loop a few times on different cars, sometimes it works, sometimes it really doesn’t.
Not being able to enjoy the day because the brakes aren’t up to it would be a real pain.
I may go onto one of the marque specific forums and ask if no-one here knows.
Not being able to enjoy the day because the brakes aren’t up to it would be a real pain.
I may go onto one of the marque specific forums and ask if no-one here knows.
It will literally be a waste of money if upgraded pads don’t work well and I end up spending money on them, having them fitted, and then taking them off again and selling them used. See the E46 M3 for a good example of where upgraded pads alone don’t cut it for more than a few laps.
If what I needed in the first place was a BBK because the standard brakes are hopeless on track regardless of pads, then I will obviously save money by just going straight for one.
Any actual knowledge of the standard braking setup on the mk5 Golf and whether it holds up on track with upgraded pads or not for the use I described would be really welcome.
If what I needed in the first place was a BBK because the standard brakes are hopeless on track regardless of pads, then I will obviously save money by just going straight for one.
Any actual knowledge of the standard braking setup on the mk5 Golf and whether it holds up on track with upgraded pads or not for the use I described would be really welcome.
I have never mentioned using OEM pads. I’ve specifically said I’d be using upgraded pads.
20-30 minute track day sessions. Will upgraded pads and fluid in an otherwise standard mk5 Golf GTi braking system be enough to cope without fading given I’m running grippy tyres and tend to brake hard and late rather than braking softer for longer.
That’s all I’m asking.
This is not my first rodeo, I’ve been doing track days for not far off ten years in various cars. I’m just looking for specific information on the performance of a specific brake setup from someone who actually knows.
20-30 minute track day sessions. Will upgraded pads and fluid in an otherwise standard mk5 Golf GTi braking system be enough to cope without fading given I’m running grippy tyres and tend to brake hard and late rather than braking softer for longer.
That’s all I’m asking.
This is not my first rodeo, I’ve been doing track days for not far off ten years in various cars. I’m just looking for specific information on the performance of a specific brake setup from someone who actually knows.
Do it in stages for sure.
I ran DS1.1 pads with high boil fluid and braided hoses on standard calipers for years on my MK1 TT, then moved to 987 Brembos for another few.
I am now running BTCC discs and pads on custom bells with 6 pot AP calipers.
I think the evolution of my skills, budget and car had me on the right brakes at the right time. In the early stages there is so much stuff to tackle and learn that a BBK isn’t essential.
A really good driver in the same car will be faster irrespective of brakes
I ran DS1.1 pads with high boil fluid and braided hoses on standard calipers for years on my MK1 TT, then moved to 987 Brembos for another few.
I am now running BTCC discs and pads on custom bells with 6 pot AP calipers.
I think the evolution of my skills, budget and car had me on the right brakes at the right time. In the early stages there is so much stuff to tackle and learn that a BBK isn’t essential.
A really good driver in the same car will be faster irrespective of brakes
Although well intended, and I thank you for taking the time to reply, general advice on how to progressively upgrade a track car isn’t what I’m looking for.
I’m an experienced track driver. I know all about upgrading as you go, matching components, etc.
If no-one on PH knows the answer to my specific question then that’s absolutely fine and the thread can quietly wither into obscurity
I’m an experienced track driver. I know all about upgrading as you go, matching components, etc.
If no-one on PH knows the answer to my specific question then that’s absolutely fine and the thread can quietly wither into obscurity
People's experiences of brakes and whether they get fade seem to vary hugely. So even if there were a couple of people here who had direct experience of a standard Mk5 Golf (good or bad) it still wouldn't be a reliable indicator for you specifically, unless the Golf's brakes really are as poor as a M3's. 
If I were you I'd go find a quiet twisty road and be as hard on the brakes as you can for 20 mins and see if you get any fade. If the standard brakes hold up then it's a good indicator that for your style of braking, upgraded pads/fluid ought not to be money/time wasted.
I just don't see the point of going straight to upgraded brake kits without even trying a standard'ish setup (M3s being the one well known exception!).
If I were you I'd go find a quiet twisty road and be as hard on the brakes as you can for 20 mins and see if you get any fade. If the standard brakes hold up then it's a good indicator that for your style of braking, upgraded pads/fluid ought not to be money/time wasted.
I just don't see the point of going straight to upgraded brake kits without even trying a standard'ish setup (M3s being the one well known exception!).
braddo said:
People's experiences of brakes and whether they get fade seem to vary hugely.
Indeed - bad technique, poor pad choice, old fluid, cooling or not... It all adds up to be a completely unknowable feast.I'd throw decent pads, braided lines and fresh fluid at it and get a half day booked in to find out. Use some temperature strips on the calipers to see what you're getting to.
Even if you have brake issues you're only sinking one day at it, still a hell of a lot less to spend than on a snazzy bbk
charltjr said:
If no-one on PH knows the answer to my specific question then that’s absolutely fine and the thread can quietly wither into obscurity
I track my modded Octy vRS. Same as a MK4 Golf under the skin.I'm running 244 bhp and drive it as hard as I can.
Standard brakes all round, new hoses, high temp fluid and Ferodo DS2500's all round. I am running smooth, (not drilled or grooved) Brembo discs. 17" wheels and Federal RS 595's.
Absolutely no problems with this set-up. Of course they get hot but not to the detriment of braking efficiency, (yet).
Coincidentally, I am just looking for a set of grooved and drilled discs to upgrade to. Any recommendations?
phazed said:
Coincidentally, I am just looking for a set of grooved and drilled discs to upgrade to. Any recommendations?
Do NOT buy drilled discs.They WILL crack from the holes outwards.
Stick with grooved only & if I were you & they are available I would go for DS1.11 pads, they are night & day both better & longer lasting.
I agree about drilled discs. My experience has been the first issue was one disc getting a crack from a hole to the edge of the disc - MOT failure so a pair of barely worn discs binned. Second issue is that holes fill up with brake dust on track days and I have found for my car that has a noticeable effect on braking performance by mid-afternoon, so at that point I'm usually using a piece of wire to clear out every single hole on 4 brake discs...
thebraketester said:
Better pads won't be a waste of money. At some point you are going to have to just go and see what happens and take it from there. It depends what your long term goal with the car is?
There are loads of people who have done TDs in MK5 GTIs on standard brakes.
This. So much this.There are loads of people who have done TDs in MK5 GTIs on standard brakes.
I'd imagine the majority of these folks fitting BBKs to their track cars don't have the talent/ability to use 50% of the available performance.
Get some decent pads (Ferodo DSUno) that work on road and track, change your brake fluid for something like ATE Typ200, consider improving airflow (optional). Then get out there and see how they feel. There's no point adding a BBK without knowing whether you need it.
You can have a great time on track without being the last of the late brakers.
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