How are the brakes on a Fabia vRS?

[pbirkett]

One of my pet hates with the Micra are the ineffectiveness of its brakes. Firstly, when I go at speeds of over 100 mph on my private road the brakes do not seem very effective or positive. Trying to brake hard results in the car seemingly wanting to squirm all over the road. Secondly, they have a tendency to fade quite quickly. Perhaps this sounds daft, but I think the brakes are not good enough for the car, an 82 bhp engine in a lightweight car makes for quite a nippy (not fast) motor, but even so, I feel that its single puny discs at the front and drums at the back, and no ABS, mean that the brakes are totally inadequate for the engine.

Now when I test drove the Fabia is was raining, and the brakes did feel a lot more positive, but obviously I never really got to try them out properly. I know the vRS has more beefy brakes than whats on my current car, but its also a far more powerful and heavy car. I'm just wondering how the brakes cope with a) high speed and b) heavy use...

Cheers

[helpmedisappear]

Me and Neo-VR were discussing this on thursdays meet...basically theyre ok but they could be better. Ive actually taken mine back to the dealer once because ABS engages for no real apparant reason (i was in very slow moving traffic doing about 15-20 mph going in a straight line in the dry and it did it?) and because of break fade at speed (oh yes i was scared!). Basically after a test drive with the engineer we found nothing wrong and he explained that "they all do it" and that "VAG ABS system isnt the best", he also told me to "press harder on the pedal if it does it and it should rectify itself". Hmmmmmmm...

[pbirkett]

Well I gotta say, that reply doesnt re-assure me one bit

[helpmedisappear]

Originally Posted by pbirkett

Well I gotta say, that reply doesnt re-assure me one bit

I know...sorry. Maybe its just me and the way i drive it?! I think the standard tyres have a lot to do with it.

[Neo_VR]

LOL..
I think its alot to do with the standard tyres..
VAG brakes are renown for having very little feedback.
generally if you stamp on them hard, they will stop you quickly, and its also quite stable. even if your doing it on a uneven surface, the electronics will keep the brake bias in check (i was braking hard on a uneven downhill section, the tail began to squirm, but it corrected itself. but the front end stayed planted)
Yes it would be better if it had the 312mm discs from the Octy. but as is everything theres only so much abuse brakes will stand up to. even the Octy brakes aint too hot.

[pbirkett]

My admittedly limited impression from the test drive was that they were quite responsive, but I did find myself over-applying the brakes a couple of times, I guess I am more used to the Micra which needs a bit of encouragement.

Neo, I read some of the problems you have had with the brakes, did you ever get it sorted out?

[Lummox]

I think my brakes are pretty much at the limit (car is tuned ).

Im probably going to upgrade to 312 mm discs and calipers soon as a very cheap mod (got loads at work). I can get Brembo four pots and 328 mm discs but they are a tad pricey even to me and maybe a touch overkill.

[Neo_VR]

I suppose its just a case of getting used to driving a car thats alot heavier than a clio.
Ive done 10k in my car now and the brakes are nice and progressive, and seem better when they have been warmed up. i think some TT brakes are defo on the cards as Ross says, as im not sure if you can get any aftermarket pads (ds2500) for the vRS yet.
One of the problems.. well more of a bad habit really. when im braking, i dip the clutch, so the engine drops to idle, which when doing long progressive braking can soon exhaust the servo assistance, but again, thats just the way i drive.