How do you find your brakes? - Page 3

first-things-first · 4th January 2016, 15:35

Can the ones who find the brakes better, be diesel owners and something to do with diesel brake boosters as well? If I understand correctly, with a diesel you don't get vacuum like in petrols, so they add a vaccum pump to boost the brakes.

I have a diesel auto and find the brakes nice and progressive, but with firm power should I need them. They pull up well and sharpish should I need them.

But, before I was forced to change the brake lines I found them with more "top end" bite (first bit of travel had better bite). Maybe mine needs an ABS circuit bleed as a critter went through a brake line causing me to virtually lose all the fluid.

I have standard brakes.

If you want ultimate braking power, try Pagid performance pads. Pagid "grey" pads made a huge difference to my Fiat coupe (that has 4 pot Brembos). Before with standard pads they were a bit rubbish and faded easily when stopping from high speed (around 60 mph). Now, these make some noise, but pull up well and bite and bite.

first-things-first · 4th January 2016, 15:46

I think you may be right John. Some brakes need "warming" before they become efficient - especially the performance pads.

Also, is it better to brake hard (thus making sure pads are de-glazed) but probably shortening pad life or brake progressively and lengthen pad wear (and thus time they will last)?

For some who only use cars occasionally and are gentle brakers, do they work less efficiently over time as not used so "hard"?

MangoMan · 4th January 2016, 15:50

Well, on my standard R75 my brakes are absolutely fine! Lots of feedback and nice progression. Personally I hate the ones that seem like there's nothing then all of a sudden you're going through the windscreen! Anyway, much better than my son's older BMW E36 and daughter's Merc C220 CDI Coupe.. Which both have that 'vague' feeling until bang, you've thrown the Anchor out!!

Although I have to say that in the last few months they have lost a bit of their 'sharpness'. But then I haven't had to change the pads since I bought the car over 5 years ago! And no, I do not wait until a sensor goes off, I check them visibly.

But I feel it's time to bite the bullet as the whole system needs a service/clean...

But I'm thinking of fitting some EBC Ultimax.

freck · 4th January 2016, 16:04

I must say that the brakes on my tourer are great. They're standard as far as I know (haven't looked at them yet) and are just as good as the ones on my X3 which is only 3 years old.

clf · 4th January 2016, 16:13

My own brakes are adequate. Although I will be upgrading to 190 calipers before I have to replace the existing ones. In saying that, with heavy braking, ie driving a little too fast approaching a roundabout (in my defence, it is a new road layout and tighter than a normal roundabout) they do fade. I should point out that I am upgrading for the aesthetics, rather than extra stopping power. I believe my fade is caused by the pads ( and a little bit of my failure to apply them earlier Lol )

mine is a diesel auto. And I would consider myself a gentle braker, preferring to slow the car using braking when possible.

Mr Bone · 4th January 2016, 20:24

Good write up, deserves being a how to.

4th January 2016, 15:35	#21
first-things-first Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 176 Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts	Can the ones who find the brakes better, be diesel owners and something to do with diesel brake boosters as well? If I understand correctly, with a diesel you don't get vacuum like in petrols, so they add a vaccum pump to boost the brakes. I have a diesel auto and find the brakes nice and progressive, but with firm power should I need them. They pull up well and sharpish should I need them. But, before I was forced to change the brake lines I found them with more "top end" bite (first bit of travel had better bite). Maybe mine needs an ABS circuit bleed as a critter went through a brake line causing me to virtually lose all the fluid. I have standard brakes. If you want ultimate braking power, try Pagid performance pads. Pagid "grey" pads made a huge difference to my Fiat coupe (that has 4 pot Brembos). Before with standard pads they were a bit rubbish and faded easily when stopping from high speed (around 60 mph). Now, these make some noise, but pull up well and bite and bite. Last edited by first-things-first; 4th January 2016 at 15:39..

4th January 2016, 15:50	#23
MangoMan This is my second home Looking.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: England Posts: 10,911 Thanks: 862 Thanked 1,111 Times in 868 Posts	Well, on my standard R75 my brakes are absolutely fine! Lots of feedback and nice progression. Personally I hate the ones that seem like there's nothing then all of a sudden you're going through the windscreen! Anyway, much better than my son's older BMW E36 and daughter's Merc C220 CDI Coupe.. Which both have that 'vague' feeling until bang, you've thrown the Anchor out!! Although I have to say that in the last few months they have lost a bit of their 'sharpness'. But then I haven't had to change the pads since I bought the car over 5 years ago! And no, I do not wait until a sensor goes off, I check them visibly. But I feel it's time to bite the bullet as the whole system needs a service/clean... But I'm thinking of fitting some EBC Ultimax. __________________ *Regards, Bill - (MangoMan).* (Member 00854) http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...d.jpg~original

4th January 2016, 16:04	#24
freck Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDT Connie Tourer Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Preston Posts: 1,051 Thanks: 142 Thanked 274 Times in 226 Posts	I must say that the brakes on my tourer are great. They're standard as far as I know (haven't looked at them yet) and are just as good as the ones on my X3 which is only 3 years old. __________________ Steve Teamwork makes the dream work! Mods planned - Cruise retrofit - Done, ZT front bumper - Done, 160 remap - Done...and probably one or two more This vehicle was the 15,751st 75 Tourer to run off the production line, out of 27,407 This vehicle was the 3,726th 75 Tourer CDT Connoisseur to be made out of 4,100 This vehicle was the 732nd 75 Tourer in Starlight Silver (code: MBB) to be made out of 4,100 Starlight Silver 75 Tourers

4th January 2016, 16:13	#25
clf This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: carrick Posts: 7,859 Thanks: 3,494 Thanked 2,657 Times in 1,973 Posts	My own brakes are adequate. Although I will be upgrading to 190 calipers before I have to replace the existing ones. In saying that, with heavy braking, ie driving a little too fast approaching a roundabout (in my defence, it is a new road layout and tighter than a normal roundabout) they do fade. I should point out that I am upgrading for the aesthetics, rather than extra stopping power. I believe my fade is caused by the pads ( and a little bit of my failure to apply them earlier Lol ) mine is a diesel auto. And I would consider myself a gentle braker, preferring to slow the car using braking when possible. __________________ It is not gloss primer .............. it is duct tape silver! Last edited by clf; 4th January 2016 at 16:16..

4th January 2016, 15:46	#22
first-things-first Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 176 Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts	I think you may be right John. Some brakes need "warming" before they become efficient - especially the performance pads. Also, is it better to brake hard (thus making sure pads are de-glazed) but probably shortening pad life or brake progressively and lengthen pad wear (and thus time they will last)? For some who only use cars occasionally and are gentle brakers, do they work less efficiently over time as not used so "hard"?

4th January 2016, 20:24	#26
Mr Bone Gets stuck in 75 Cdt. VW Touareg V6 Tdi. Galaxy 1.9Tdi (x2). R1200GS Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Planet Zog Posts: 742 Thanks: 169 Thanked 206 Times in 145 Posts	Good write up, deserves being a how to.