How Do I Improve A Toledo's Handling?

[EnthusiasmBoy]

Hello. I'm looking for opinions, advice and your experiences both good and bad.
My V5 comes off warranty in a few months and I would like to improve the brakes (both braking force and reduce the fade), sharpen the turn in and maybe go someway to cure the understeer.

I'd like your opinions to the following questions:-
What did you have done?
What did it do for the handling and braking of your car?
How much did it cost?
Knowing what you do now, would you have the same work done again (effectively do you think the mod was good value)?
Where did you get the work done?

Answers on a postcard would be good but responses to this thread would be great.

Thanks
John

[prc]

Brakes:

Well the brake upgrade I got is basically what U've got stock (as far as disk diameter/piston).
"...both braking force and reduce the fade..." I'm not surewhat your looking for but since I upgraded in steps, hear's my 2 cents worth.
Upgrade from 288X25 to 312x25:
car brakes much quicker (since the pad area is the same I think this is due to the higher linear velocity of the disk with respect to brake pad). quite a bit less fade. more brake dust!
Upgrade brake fluid to Motul RBF600:
braking force remains constant for a longer period of time, even after a dozen high speed stops.
Upgrade of rear from 232x9 256x22:
less fade noticed, but only after many high speed stops. (not really worth it IMO)
To do:
Stainless steel brake lines:
Haven't picked them up yet, but had them in the ibiza. Much better brake pedal feel and better pedal control.
Pagid fast road pads:
Waiting to the OE pads to die. Also had these on the ibiza, the stoping power was great and with much less fade. tons of brake dust!
Alot of people upgrade to slotted/drilled rotors, but I think the pads and brake fluid a the weakest link. Besides, I've heard quite a few horror stories about these types of disks.
So IMO I would do (in order):
Pagid fast road pads
DOT 5.1 or similar brake fluid
SS brake lines.

[EnthusiasmBoy]

Thank you for that Paulo.

Did the sports shocks help the handling or improve the ride at all?

[prc]

Ah yes I knew I forgot something:)

Check link hear:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8794

To make a long story short, they help alot! I hated the OE compression and rebound settings, but lowering was not an option (the TDI's are very low up front). They help both handling & braking.

U can help keep the care neutral with lower/stiffer springs as well.
The springs can really stiffen up the ride (don't want this). Still think the care can have a bit more neutral handling, that's why I'll be adding bigger (bigger diameter) anti-roll bars.

[Nobber]

Ok first things first. I apologise. But remember its Friday.

How Do I Improve A Toledo's Handling?

What i would do is this:

Chop the car in half down the middle from side to side. Remove the back boors and then increase the hieght of the boot section with some glass. then weld the boot back to the front section. Then improve the looks and handling with some extra aftermarker products and hey presto! Job done! Should look something like this:

Piccie (http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/attachment.php?postid=49793)

[prc]

Nice try Nobber,
I already owned an ibiza, and don't think it handles that well:p

Actually it wasn't to bad just had a tendency to oversteer a bit. Worked well with lowered suspension
(eibach springs + koni sports + wheel spacers + strut brace) but the whole thing did wonders to my back. To make the story short:

I won't trade the Leon/Toledo chassis for the Beeza chassis

[prc]

Originally posted by Cupramax


The UK Toledo V5 has the brakes of this spec already....:rolleyes:

That's my 1st line. Basically I explained everything I got put on. Still, in John's case I'd upgrade the pads, fluid & lines 1st. At this moment there are no further OE upgrades he can do, + the changes I mention are rather cheap when compared to upgrading to APs or Brembos

[Cupramax]

Post deleted due to my brain not being able to comprehend what is right in front of my eyes....:)

You could always put the Brembo's of a Cupra R on your Toledo but that would as Paulo says would be a tad expesive. They do however have the ability to pin your nose to the windscreen very effectively.

I never found my old Toledo V5 brakes to be lacking though, you'll have to have it MOT'd at 3 years old anyway so might be worth checking the braking efficiency as per requirements for the MOT and see what the readings are. That way you'll know if you've got a problem.

Big improvement can be made with 17" wheels and 225/45 tyres. This really sharpens up the handling and initial turn in.

As for suspension AmD do suspension upgrades and are highly regarded in the tuning business. http://www.auto-amd.com/suspension.asp

[prc]

Just found one more brake upgrade, but it will only work for 17" wheels:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=586142

[EnthusiasmBoy]

Thanks, gentlemen, for all your advice so far.:cheers:
Looks like I'll go with the brakes to begin with, then nice shocks. I'll see what I think after that and decide if I want to take things any further.
All the best
John