Brakes/rotors?

[Golfer883]

What’s the general consensus on the best brakes/rotors for our GTI’s? I’ve got a 2019 white rabbit edition, 55,000 miles and front brakes need replaced. Just going to do all 4 corners even though back ones are ok. Thanks!

 

[DerHase]

Zimmerman blanks + Ferodo DS2500 from FCP Euro are a proven good combo for general purpose/autocross/even light(novice) track duty.

The pads aren’t insanely dusty IMO, but they’re not great about it. You can search for what other people run/prefer if that’s an issue though.

 

[YamR1rider]

Second the Zimmerman rotors - good quality and value for money. I like th EBC yellows as a good all round pad.

 

[2LEEGIT]

@Golfer883 Have a set of like new ECS 2-piece 340mm rotors, let me know if youre interested.

 

[hans611]

I just did the brakes on mine, with a similar milage.. got Zimmerman blanks (z-coat) but went iSweep IS1500.... they are ceramic, super low dust but feel just like stock, maybe even slightly more grippy. I think that's the way to go for OEM+

This would be for strictly street use though...

 

[ecsta]

Zimmerman blanks + Ferodo DS2500 from FCP Euro are a proven good combo for general purpose/autocross/even light(novice) track duty.

The pads aren’t insanely dusty IMO, but they’re not great about it. You can search for what other people run/prefer if that’s an issue though.

I've seen the Ferodo DS2500 mentioned a lot, how would you say they compare to OEM feel wise? I know brake pads are a hot topic lol

 

[DerHase]

I've seen the Ferodo DS2500 mentioned a lot, how would you say they compare to OEM feel wise? I know brake pads are a hot topic lol

They have decent initial bite for a street pad once worn in. I bought my car with 30k on it and while I THINK my old pads were OEM based on wear, that was over 2 years and 30k ago now.

I’m generally pretty picky about street pad feel and prefer moderate initial bite with a quick-ish ramp up to about 50-70% capability with the last 30-50% being easier to modulate at the limit for reference.

For track pads I just want shit to not overheat or fade and be adaptable for me to modulate. I tend to under-brake pressure-wise and when slowing from 130mph+. I produce faster lap times with more confidence when having a very high bite pad. I HATE being at those speeds and being already halfway through the pedal to make the car stop.

 

[ecsta]

They have decent initial bite for a street pad once worn in. I bought my car with 30k on it and while I THINK my old pads were OEM based on wear, that was over 2 years and 30k ago now.

I’m generally pretty picky about street pad feel and prefer moderate initial bite with a quick-ish ramp up to about 50-70% capability with the last 30-50% being easier to modulate at the limit for reference.

For track pads I just want shit to not overheat or fade and be adaptable for me to modulate. I tend to under-brake pressure-wise and when slowing from 130mph+. I produce faster lap times with more confidence when having a very high bite pad. I HATE being at those speeds and being already halfway through the pedal to make the car stop.

Yeah I'm looking for purely (aggressive) street driving. I was also looking at the gti club sport front pads, but for that price there's a lot more options.

The only thing I hate about the OEM + Zimmerman blanks is that they get the rust look the middle so damn quick. But otherwise been very happy with Zimmerman blanks so will probably keep using them.

 

[DerHase]

Yeah I'm looking for purely (aggressive) street driving. I was also looking at the gti club sport front pads, but for that price there's a lot more options.

The only thing I hate about the OEM + Zimmerman blanks is that they get the rust look the middle so damn quick. But otherwise been very happy with Zimmerman blanks so will probably keep using them.

Yeah you’re not going to find a super aggressive bite pad that is “meant” for street use. EBC blues might be close-ish? Maybe @tigeo can comment. I think he said they have some noticeable bite.

I think the DS2500s are hard to beat for a fade-resistant street pad with OEM quality. They’re rated for much higher temps than some novice level “track” pads… about 1200F vs 1000F for EBC blues.

Also bonus for FCP warranty at least.

 

[YamR1rider]

Yeah I'm looking for purely (aggressive) street driving. I was also looking at the gti club sport front pads, but for that price there's a lot more options.

The only thing I hate about the OEM + Zimmerman blanks is that they get the rust look the middle so damn quick. But otherwise been very happy with Zimmerman blanks so will probably keep using them.

I don't find the 'z-coated' zimmermans bad with rust at all so far to be honest....there again, I'm in a non-road salt environment in FL so YMMV.

 

[hans611]

A lot of the rust comes from the brake dust of metallic brake pads... hence its better to use ceramic pads unless you really have to...

 

[tigeo]

I still like EBC Yellows as an aggressive street pad. I'm sure those Blue NDX (higher torque/bite) would work fine too.

 

[kep]

I've been street driving DS2500 lately. I don't really love them - fairly dusty and noisy for not being an all out track pad.

 

[victorofhavoc]

I've been street driving DS2500 lately. I don't really love them - fairly dusty and noisy for not being an all out track pad.

They should be virtually noise free. You can check and relube the backing or rebed to help.

Agreed on dust. They are not low dust at all, but they can handle quite a bit of heat, so that's the tradeoff. Thankfully the dust from them is not particularly corrosive.

 

[geokilla]

Ferodo DS2500 are way too aggressive for street driving imo. I use them on the track and they are amazing. So depending on what you're using the car for, you're going to receive different recommendations. If you're just daily driving, you can arguably get by with the cheapest, reputable brakes available on FCP or RockAuto.

Zimmermann blank rotors are great.