How do you find your brakes?

BigAde · 4th January 2016, 09:27

So general question here because I'm interested in everyone's opinions on this.

On most new cars I've driven as you depress the brake pedal there comes a point when the brakes really cut in and you feel them bite. With my ZT, I don't really get that, I find them much more progressive - meaning you need more pedal travel to achieve the same stopping distance. It really came to my attention when a tyre fitter recently drove my car and said he thought there was something wrong with the brakes as it hadn't stopped when he expected it to.

Overall I must say that while I've not had any problems so far, I don't find the brakes as good as other similar sized cars I've driven. But maybe that's just me. Would be interested to hear if anyone's upgraded to 190 brakes and how they found that.

Yella Fella · 4th January 2016, 09:39

Just fitted PAGID discs and pads all round on my tourer and they are just superb. They Now have that 'cut in' feeling you describe.

When I drive the ZT, I realised how bad they are but they are due to be replaced so I'll be fitting the PAGID again.

See here for info. . . .
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=154373

BigAde · 4th January 2016, 09:50

Ok, interesting. I just changed my rear discs and pads for new TRW ones and can't say I've noticed any change. Maybe when the time comes for my front ones to be done I'll noticed the difference then. Or perhaps I should just change them now anyway? Hmmmm...

LotusLC · 4th January 2016, 09:53

I did the 190 upgrade on the ZT and they are a lot better now. When i drive my Tourer which has standard pagid brakes you do not get the same confidence in them, they are adequate but 190's are way better.....

Pistonbroke666 · 4th January 2016, 09:56

Might I suggest that if you do go down the 190 brake route, consider fitting a set of Goodridge braided hoses. Combined with good discs and pads, you should get the performance that you're looking for.

BigAde · 4th January 2016, 09:58

Ok, thanks. Interested in the 190 upgrade, but having just paid for new rear discs I'm reluctant to splash out unless I really need to. I wonder what it would cost to do the full 190 upgrade? Do you mind if I ask how much you paid?

Heddy · 4th January 2016, 10:07

Type and quality aside, it's a good starting point to check the system. All caliper sliding surfaces should be de-rusted and pads should slide free. Pistons should not be seized and move in and out freely. System obviously needs to be free from air, and brake lines not leaking. When all these checks are made and found to be ok then you're down to the quality of parts as to how effective your brakes are.

BigAde · 4th January 2016, 10:10

Ok, thanks Heddy. I might get my mechanic to give it a full check over.

Rick-sta · 4th January 2016, 10:09

Another vote for the 190 brakes. I've only fitted the front 190 brakes at the moment and the difference was massive! Only need to press down on the brake pedal a little and there was already loads of stopping power. Took me a little while to get used to it as I kept braking too hard by accident at first.

I have Mtec drilled and grooved disks and pads on mine

bl52krz · 4th January 2016, 12:42

Always fitted Pagid pads, and will be fitting front discs soon.

4th January 2016, 09:27	#1
BigAde Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T+ 135 CDTi Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sussex Posts: 1,502 Thanks: 511 Thanked 224 Times in 178 Posts	How do you find your brakes? So general question here because I'm interested in everyone's opinions on this. On most new cars I've driven as you depress the brake pedal there comes a point when the brakes really cut in and you feel them bite. With my ZT, I don't really get that, I find them much more progressive - meaning you need more pedal travel to achieve the same stopping distance. It really came to my attention when a tyre fitter recently drove my car and said he thought there was something wrong with the brakes as it hadn't stopped when he expected it to. Overall I must say that while I've not had any problems so far, I don't find the brakes as good as other similar sized cars I've driven. But maybe that's just me. Would be interested to hear if anyone's upgraded to 190 brakes and how they found that.

4th January 2016, 09:39	#2
Yella Fella Nemo Me Impune Lacessit None at the moment Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Glasgow's HMP Barlinnie, 'A' Hall, 2nd Flat Posts: 5,192 Thanks: 493 Thanked 1,094 Times in 666 Posts	Just fitted PAGID discs and pads all round on my tourer and they are just superb. They Now have that 'cut in' feeling you describe. When I drive the ZT, I realised how bad they are but they are due to be replaced so I'll be fitting the PAGID again. See here for info. . . . http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=154373 __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

4th January 2016, 09:53	#4
LotusLC This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Auto / ZT-T Trophy Blue Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: York Posts: 3,981 Thanks: 3,329 Thanked 1,644 Times in 1,238 Posts	I did the 190 upgrade on the ZT and they are a lot better now. When i drive my Tourer which has standard pagid brakes you do not get the same confidence in them, they are adequate but 190's are way better..... __________________ Lotus Carlton - Number 852 (My old car) https://i.imgur.com/Cwa3376m.jpg

4th January 2016, 09:56	#5
Pistonbroke666 Posted a thing or two MG ZT 1.8T, MG GS Exclusive Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Grays Essex Posts: 1,809 Thanks: 100 Thanked 282 Times in 205 Posts	Might I suggest that if you do go down the 190 brake route, consider fitting a set of Goodridge braided hoses. Combined with good discs and pads, you should get the performance that you're looking for. __________________ Stage two 1.8T build

4th January 2016, 10:09	#9
Rick-sta This is my second home MG ZT 2.0 CDTI+ in Typhoon, MG TF 135 in Typhoon & Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTI SE in Pearl Black Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Norfolk Posts: 7,534 Thanks: 2,718 Thanked 2,827 Times in 1,462 Posts	Another vote for the 190 brakes. I've only fitted the front 190 brakes at the moment and the difference was massive! Only need to press down on the brake pedal a little and there was already loads of stopping power. Took me a little while to get used to it as I kept braking too hard by accident at first. I have Mtec drilled and grooved disks and pads on mine __________________ How to retrofit Cruise Control on a diesel with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to retrofit heated electric memory seats with no OEM wiring in place: Link How to operate FBH and ATC via text Link How to restore cloudy projector headlights Link

4th January 2016, 09:50	#3
BigAde Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T+ 135 CDTi Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sussex Posts: 1,502 Thanks: 511 Thanked 224 Times in 178 Posts	Ok, interesting. I just changed my rear discs and pads for new TRW ones and can't say I've noticed any change. Maybe when the time comes for my front ones to be done I'll noticed the difference then. Or perhaps I should just change them now anyway? Hmmmm...

4th January 2016, 09:58	#6
BigAde Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T+ 135 CDTi Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sussex Posts: 1,502 Thanks: 511 Thanked 224 Times in 178 Posts	Ok, thanks. Interested in the 190 upgrade, but having just paid for new rear discs I'm reluctant to splash out unless I really need to. I wonder what it would cost to do the full 190 upgrade? Do you mind if I ask how much you paid?

4th January 2016, 10:07	#7
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Type and quality aside, it's a good starting point to check the system. All caliper sliding surfaces should be de-rusted and pads should slide free. Pistons should not be seized and move in and out freely. System obviously needs to be free from air, and brake lines not leaking. When all these checks are made and found to be ok then you're down to the quality of parts as to how effective your brakes are.

4th January 2016, 10:10	#8
BigAde Posted a thing or two MG ZT-T+ 135 CDTi Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sussex Posts: 1,502 Thanks: 511 Thanked 224 Times in 178 Posts	Ok, thanks Heddy. I might get my mechanic to give it a full check over.

4th January 2016, 12:42	#10
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,394 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	Always fitted Pagid pads, and will be fitting front discs soon. __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.