850 brake upgrade

**inde_house** · Monday 1st October 2012, 23:00

So it's mot time. N the rear discs are shot. So I'm thinking bout a new brake set up.

I know the general mod is 2 do the 302 mm conversion. But I like the look of the columbas and have read that the calipers won't fit under these wheels. Am I correct in assuming that.

Also I have already brought the goodridge hoses for the 280 discs.

So I'm thinking of going for grooved discs and fast road pads. Has anyone used these b4. Wat do u recommend.

There is a mintex kit on flebay for 160 that has pads n discs all round.

Or do I use Brembo max discs with Ferodo pads. Costing about 250.

Or just get standard brembos with ferodo roads. For about 200.

**p fandango** · Monday 1st October 2012, 23:17

correct, you need Perfo's for 302's

**glock19** · Tuesday 2nd October 2012, 09:18

I would use the original Volvo disc with Ferrodos / Carbotech

**Nealevo** · Tuesday 2nd October 2012, 09:48

I personnally would use OE Volvo Discs and some good uprated pads, there are many to choose from, just change your fluid too whilst your there.

**inde_house** · Tuesday 2nd October 2012, 19:41

Fluid is already done. Thanks 4 the advice. I will be doing it soon.

Try ing to get it ready for a remap. I have always been in favour of being able to stop better B4 u go faster

**Volvostorm** · Tuesday 2nd October 2012, 20:12

302's can be fitted under columba, just are you brave enough to take a grinder too your calipers?

**T5frankie** · Tuesday 2nd October 2012, 20:53

you like the look of columbas? are you ok?

**Volvostorm** · Tuesday 2nd October 2012, 21:03

Originally Posted by t5frankie

you like the look of columbas? are you ok?

No worse than me, I don't like Pegs

**T5frankie** · Tuesday 2nd October 2012, 21:06

Originally Posted by Pault5estate

No worse than me, I don't like Pegs

well you're wrong lol

**inde_house** · Tuesday 2nd October 2012, 21:21

I'm thinking bout getting them referbed in dark grey. I'm liking the standard sleeper look. As many of you know people get shocked when our grandad looking box estate s get let off. Even as standard they are quick

**MoleT-5R** · Tuesday 2nd October 2012, 22:52

Just recently had to do my brakes and after a lot of umming and arrghing I didn't take the advice of my forum chums and went for what was not recommended a fleabay all round kit http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-850-...b#ht_918wt_910

most advice said that cheap disc's would distort easily, I was on a tight budget so I gave these a go and fitted them and took them for a gentle drive to Whittlebury park to have a bbq and a couple of tinnies with my fellow vpcuk buddies and the following day I cooked them with 2 x 5 lap sessions around the full Silverstone GP circuit, that tested them I think and no distortion just great brakes. May be I am just lucky for once or may be they are a good buy, just saying that occasionally cheap can be good.

**inde_house** · Wednesday 3rd October 2012, 09:58

That is the kit that I'm thinking about. Very interesting. Although I don't ever plan to hit many tracks. Just for on the road.

**Keri-WMS** · Wednesday 3rd October 2012, 10:25

It's generally best to get plain discs (grooved/drilled isn't any real advantage with modern friction materials), and spend the money on the pads - pads are by far what makes the biggest difference if you're trying to get performance from OEM size brakes.

**MoleT-5R** · Thursday 4th October 2012, 05:09

Originally Posted by Keri-WMS

It's generally best to get plain discs (grooved/drilled isn't any real advantage with modern friction materials), and spend the money on the pads - pads are by far what makes the biggest difference if you're trying to get performance from OEM size brakes.

They're mintex pads in the kit which are reliable brand thats been around longer than I've been driving and when they are goosed I'll certainly be on the hunt for a pad upgrade. Not to sure which of the two improvements I'm noticing most, the upgrade to 302's from 280's with grooves and dimples ( to see if this stops the cracking around the holes ) or having a decent set of stoppers on the car from when I got her over five years ago, they were shocking then, let alone now.....lol

**Keri-WMS** · Thursday 4th October 2012, 11:07

I'm not picking holes in any particular brake pad or person's setup, what I mean is:

- Mintex M1144 pads (for instance) on plain discs.

...beats....

- Mintex "normal" pads on grooved discs.

All I mean is they probably cost the same, so I'd suggest plain discs/better pads for a given budget. I normally recommend the same on our WMS 4 pot kits, that people have better pads instead of grooves.

**Wobbly Dave** · Thursday 4th October 2012, 12:07

Originally Posted by Keri-WMS

It's generally best to get plain discs (grooved/drilled isn't any real advantage with modern friction materials), and spend the money on the pads - pads are by far what makes the biggest difference if you're trying to get performance from OEM size brakes.

100% agree with you - I've always used zimmerman plain 302mm disks with DS2500 pads all round. It took 10 1/2 mins of full on action at Oulton park with the ARDS instructor on-board, to make them fade. (see 10:45 on the video)

Given I was lapping (even with my limited talent) every 2.5 minutes that's gotta be 4.5 laps before the brakes give up. On my own I don't think I was working them as hard.

I've always been offput from the AP Kit not only because of the outlay but the maintainance costs of the rotors. I have been interested in this kit as viable alternative which has been properly developed, with the Volvo in mind.

There is no point upgrading from stock unless like me you intend to do regular track days.

**Wobbly Dave** · Thursday 4th October 2012, 12:08

Originally Posted by moleadrian

They're mintex pads in the kit which are reliable brand thats been around longer than I've been driving and when they are goosed I'll certainly be on the hunt for a pad upgrade. Not to sure which of the two improvements I'm noticing most, the upgrade to 302's from 280's with grooves and dimples ( to see if this stops the cracking around the holes ) or having a decent set of stoppers on the car from when I got her over five years ago, they were shocking then, let alone now.....lol

You are more than welcome to come & find out how well/badly Betsy stops on her 302/Ferodo package. Note Stuart's comment in the video around 4:30 - as apparently I have "Ace brakes"

**inde_house** · Thursday 4th October 2012, 20:33

Hello Dave. Thanks for the offer. Ur a bit far from me just for a drive of your motor. I thinks that I'm going for oem disc and good pads. The rear discs defiantly need doing. Front ones have some life in them. Might have to invest that money into something else

**MoleT-5R** · Thursday 4th October 2012, 20:51

Originally Posted by Keri-WMS

I'm not picking holes in any particular brake pad or person's setup, what I mean is:

- Mintex M1144 pads (for instance) on plain discs.

...beats....

- Mintex "normal" pads on grooved discs.

All I mean is they probably cost the same, so I'd suggest plain discs/better pads for a given budget. I normally recommend the same on our WMS 4 pot kits, that people have better pads instead of grooves.

so what I have will be improved still further, by fitting M1144 mintex pads, which I be in the near future, allowing for the grooves and dimples chomping thought the softer mintex pad thats in there now..?