Brembo Brakes: Performance & Quality

Hello, does anyone have experience with the Brembo Sport Kit? It consists of two slotted brake discs and special pads for the front axle. Does it actually make a difference? Currently, I have the FSIII brake caliper on my A3. I wanted to optimize the braking system a bit after installing the suspension. Or are there other options for the A3 (type 8L)?

Well,

As an upgraded version using VW/Audi parts, the FN-3 brake system should be compatible. You can use larger 288mm rotors instead of the 259mm/280mm ones, or even 312mm rotors (with a modified bracket). It depends on which car the parts come from. For example, the 288mm rotors were used on the Golf 1.8T (110 kW), TDI models from 96 kW and the V5. The 312mm rotors were used on the V6 or S3/TT models. You can identify the FN-3 brake system externally by the coil spring, which is missing on the FS-III system.

You can get a stronger brake system relatively cheaply by using original parts, even those from a recycling center.
"Unlike third-party providers, she..."

a) Typically, a better level of noise comfort.
b) Can also be easily repaired with genuine VW/Audi parts, even in the most remote locations.

I'm familiar with Ferodo's sport brake discs. I have them installed in my Golf 3 AFN instead of the original ATE ones, and they are size 256x20.
The brake discs are not made by Ferodo themselves, but by Zimmermann; the brake pads are made by Ferodo. The discs are slotted.

The brake discs didn't show a noticeable improvement in braking performance compared to the original ones, but they last much longer.
'I've always been annoyed that I had to replace the original VW (ATE) brake discs quite often (at most 50,000 km). I thought it wouldn't make a difference if I put on slotted discs (manufacturer's specification: 40,000 km). I've had the discs and pads on for 20,000 km, the discs have worn down about 0.5 mm, and the pads are hardly worn at all! So I think they will last much longer than 50,000 km, and I'm not exactly driving gently!!!'

I also had the FS III installed until recently.
Since I'm soon going to install a larger engine, I obviously needed a bigger brake system.
It all has to be compliant with TÜV regulations!
I received the FN III as an addition to the engine and have already installed it.
Actually, I still wanted to upgrade to the V6 brake system with a 312mm disc diameter.

Two reputable tuners independently advised me against it.
The larger braking system is supposed to provide asymmetrical braking, meaning the brake pads are subjected to different levels of stress? (Is that correct?)

I should probably stick with the FN III and install slotted Brembo brake discs, combined with good brake pads.
Or I could completely replace the braking system with a Brembo system with 320mm discs, and then I would have braking power for eternity! Well, but 1000 Euros or more is too expensive for me, so I'll go with the Brembo brake disc solution when my brake discs wear out.

Best regards,
Daniel.

Guys,

We have a Golf 3 TDI, manufactured in 1996, with a four-hole wheel mounting system. Due to some modifications, we need a very large brake system. We would like to keep the 15' rims, as we have several sets of them.

Can I install the FN3 saddle and still use 15' rims?
Is the maximum disc diameter, without modifying the holder, 288mm?
What small materials do I need?

greetings
Stefan.

If you want to keep the 15" wheels, you can, for example, install the wheel hub housings from a Golf2 G60, including the rotors and calipers. This will give you a 280mm brake system with a 4-bolt mounting. Converting from 4-bolt to 5-bolt is a bit more complicated; it either requires a custom solution with adapter parts or the installation of the hub from a Golf3 GTI or later.

If it were to become an even bigger problem, as far as I know, the 4-piston brake system from the Seat Ibiza Cupra (or was it the Leon?) with its 4-hole design would fit. However, you would have to use a minimum of 16-inch wheels. The cheapest and simplest solution is the first one, which is to convert to the G60 brake system from the Golf 2 G60. This modification will also affect my TDI, but I still need to replace the drum brakes with disc brakes on the rear.

Hi,

I would guess that you'll be best served by using original parts from a Mk3 GTI or VR6. In the 1997 model year, the GTI definitely already had the VR6's brakes with a 288 mm diameter. That system is very reliable and durable. As mentioned before, if you have a Plus suspension, it has 5-bolt mounting points, and 15" wheels will still fit. There weren't any larger standard wheels available for the VR6.

I wished the 288 system in the current Golf IV was at least somewhat as good .

The VR6, GTI, or GTI 16V brakes from the Golf 3 (which are all the same, but were changed from 280 to 288 in models from 1996 onwards) only fit with the "Plus" axle. If he wants to install these brakes, he needs to convert to the "Plus" axle, which will require a change to a 5-bolt system.
The G60 brake is essentially the same, just with a 4-hole design.

Hello,

Thank you for your answers. Unfortunately, none of you addressed the core question: 'Can I install the FN3 saddle and still use 15' rims?'

Can you help me?

Regards,
Stefan.

Yessss !

@roger

Quote:

I wished the 288 system in the current Golf IV was at least approximately as good .

What's different about it now? I thought it was the same system .
The FN3 saddle and the 312 discs no longer fit in the 15" Flegen, do they?

@dan.jel (or the others)
Does converting from FS3 with 280x22mm discs to FN3 with 288x25mm discs make a noticeable difference?
Does it offer any noticeable advantage at all?
And what about this:

Quote:

Two reputable and reliable tuners independently advised me against it. The larger braking system is supposed to brake asymmetrically, meaning the brake pads are subjected to different loads!? (Is that correct?)

"What did someone say?"

Best regards, Frank.

@Frank A.:

I used to think the same thing. But there's a huge difference between the two. And it's certainly not just about the extra weight.
The FN-3 in my Golf isn't very stable and doesn't offer much grip. It's just plain bad. However, it doesn't have any issues with wet conditions.

My theory is that from the factory, two types of linings were installed: one type is durable, and the other is resistant to moisture .

"With 312mm brake discs, 16-inch rims are definitely required. 15-inch rims have a diameter of approximately 38.1 cm at the rim's edge. If you factor in the rim thickness twice, plus the brake caliper and some clearance, it's already quite tight with 288mm disc diameter."

And the 312 brake system fits 16-inch rims so well that, in some cases with aftermarket rims, it has even caused rubbing .

Yessss !
That's quite a clear statement! I will let you know how the brake calipers perform with the 280mm discs. However, it will take a few weeks.

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'So long!'

Regards,
Stefan.

Roger wrote:

@Frank A.: I used to think the same thing. But there's a huge difference between the two. And it's certainly not just about the extra weight. The FN-3 in my Golf isn't very stable and doesn't offer much grip. It's just plain bad. However, it doesn't have any issues with wet conditions. My theory is that from the factory, two types of linings were installed: one type is durable, and the other is resistant to moisture . ...

Then I must have the other "type" installed. It's not moisture-resistant, but it's stable. However, it's also not as aggressive as, for example, the system in a Golf 5 2.0 TDI (without knowing exactly what's in it). Maybe they just made the power steering pump "larger" there.

I'm getting summer tires put on the car in the next few days anyway. When I think about it, I'll keep an eye out for any markings or labels so I can compare them later.

In my opinion, the 288 model offers only a slight advantage over the 280 model, and that's only noticeable at higher speeds.

Other brake pads and slotted brake discs from Zimmermann on the 288 brake system, on the other hand, have already made a significant difference!

It's been a while since the last update, but here it is finally. Thanks for your suggestions!

Several attempts with various brake systems have not been successful. We are driving on the Nordschleife, and the front brakes were overheating and smoking out of the car by Breitscheid at the latest. Endless brake fade, warped brake discs, brake cylinders that had fused with the pad carrier , and a lot of wasted money were the result.

We stopped our experiments and invested in an AP-Racing brake system with 6-piston calipers and 365mm discs. This does require 18-inch wheels, but you can't have everything. This should eliminate any further issues, and we still have some reserve capacity.

Regards,
Stefan.

PS: I will provide a report based on my experience next year, after the initial test drives.