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new brake pads and rotors

1098 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  Mike Fannon
I was about to purchase some ECS plain rotors and Mintex Red Box pads for all 4 corners at ECS Tuning. But, I figured I should take advantage of the collective wisdom of this site before pulling the trigger.

I have a 1999 V6 FWD completely stock and want to order something similar to the factory setup. Am I ordering the right stuff?

I did a search, but most posts seem to be concerned with performance braking products, so I am looking for more specific advice.

Thanks,
Mark
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:thumbup: Nothing wrong with a good set of plain-faced rotors from ECS-Tuning! You also might want to look at Brembo plain faced rotors from Import Replacement Parts.

:thumbdow: Stay far far away from Mintex Redbox brakepads. Their quality has been very suspect as of late, and many tuners have discontinued selling them. You might want to try a set of PBR/Axxis Deluxe-Plus pads with those plain-faced rotors.

You can buy Deluxe Plus pads from Zeckhausen Racing and Import Replacement Parts Company.
Might want to check here for the GB through S_Klass for drilled & slotted rotors.

For pads, Mintex has gotten some bad wraps as late. You might want to consider something better such as the Axxis Metal Masters. Go here for potential discount price.

Good luck
go with the slotted/cross drilled rotors, and the ceramic pads PBR, I have them.

Man they are great, amazing difference over then stock JUNK.

Rich
In fairness to Mintex, I've got the Redbox pads and am happy with them. They are about as dusty as the OEM pads, and I've had no problems with fading etc. I drive aggressively but am by no means racing so they were a good fit for me.

There are a lot of folks that want to bash these pads but as I've said, they've been good so far for me (15k+ miles).
Zimmermen x-drilled and Mintex Red all around for 25K, love'em!
I forgot how dust-free these pads are compared OEM until I got a second car ('01 Golf)...

I really don't know if Mintex has gotten worse but my pads are holding up great!


::R
00Psst, that's a problem. Mintex switched compounds and their quality has dropped off significantly. The pads literally will disintergrate on the rotor on some braking applications due to the heat that's generated.

I wouldn't recommend the Ceramic/Kevlar compound pads for everyone because they don't last as long as the OEM pads and they produce just as much brakedust. Seriously take a look at the Deluxe-Plus pads if you want something better than OEM, because Mintex Redbox gets a big :thumbdow:
So what does everyone recommend for minimum dust? The Mintex Reds that I have on now are as bad or worse than original equip. I'm tempted to buy 2000 VW pads but they're very expensive (>$100). My '00 with orig pads has almost no dust!
The Swami said:
:thumbdow: Stay far far away from Mintex Redbox brakepads. Their quality has been very suspect as of late, and many tuners have discontinued selling them. You might want to try a set of PBR/Axxis Deluxe-Plus pads with those plain-faced rotors.
Ok, good advice, PBR/Axxis Deluxe-Plus it is.

One more question: I noticed that Import Replacement Parts have some of the parts listed for 98-7/98 models and 2000+ models with and without sensors. How do I tell which parts are for my 99? Can I tell by my VIN number somehow?

Thanks,
Mark
Provide your VIN# to a local VW dealership's parts department and they will tell you if your car has the front brake wear sensor.. :)
The Swami said:
Provide your VIN# to a local VW dealership's parts department and they will tell you if your car has the front brake wear sensor.. :)
Thank you :bow:
sorry this may be a repete question but i would like it to be answerd. can i buy cross drilled roters for my 2000 1.8T and not have to buy new calipers
Mike Fannon said:
sorry this may be a repete question but i would like it to be answerd. can i buy cross drilled roters for my 2000 1.8T and not have to buy new calipers
As long as the rotors are the same size as stock you can.
Mike Fannon said:
sorry this may be a repete question but i would like it to be answerd. can i buy cross drilled roters for my 2000 1.8T and not have to buy new calipers
Pads & rotors are usually the wear & tear replacement parts. No need to replace your caliper unless there is something wrong with it.
thanks....also why not go with dimpled roaters. i mean it seems to me that cross drilled would act like a cheese grator to your pads. and the drill holes creates week sports that can cause cracking around it......who makes a good dimpled roater?
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