Mintex pads and disks

[juneau]

Hi,
Had an advisory on my 2005 mk1 fr a few months back for new pads and disks. These lasts few days they seem to be making a grinding noise when braking hard so decided its time to get them changed.
I've come across this mintex set on eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEAT-LEON...=Car+Make:Seat|Model:Leon&hash=item4138bdb2a1

My questions are:
1. Is this set any good?

2. How do I know if I have sensors?

3.If I have sensors should I wait until the light comes up and then change them?

4. What's this sizing issue all about? Do I need to measure mine or are the Fr's all a certain size?

My budget is only around £100 so as much as I'd love vented disks and the like I'm afraid I can't =(

Thanks in advance, hope fitting them isn't as complicated lol

 

[Silverplumb]

I've recently fitted Pagid discs n pads to the front of my Cupra 180, after I had bad brake fade and grinding. I found these to be as good as genuine quality all for under £100. You will have a sensor on the front, don't know if there is a variation in size on the fronts on your model, best thing to do is get a set from ECP or GSF, but I highly recommend the Pagid stuff

 

[ManOnTheMoor]

Or assuming fr tdi, take the opportunity to upgrade from 288 to 312 diameter disks, you use original calipers but need to swap the caliper carriers to ones off golf mk4 anniversary or skoda octavia vrs mk1. Quick search will cover other donor models. Worthwhile upgrade if you can get carriers for good price

 

[Silverplumb]

Or assuming fr tdi, take the opportunity to upgrade from 288 to 312 diameter disks, you use original calipers but need to swap the caliper carriers to ones off golf mk4 anniversary or skoda octavia vrs mk1. Quick search will cover other donor models. Worthwhile upgrade if you can get carriers for good price

I'll second that, had the 312mm upgrade on my old a3 turbo, very worthwhile

 

[sockpuppet]

You need the wind back tool for the rear brakes. I got the mtec drilled and grooved discs with Mintex pads and they definitely have less brake fade than the pagid OEMs I had on there before.

 

[juneau]

Cheers guys, given me some options, just need to measure mine now to see how much that pagid option will cost. I'd love to upgrade to the 312mm but need to change them ASAP so haven't really got time to look for carriers, probably do it next time though now I know.

Do I have to use the wind back tool or does it just make it easier?

 

[Seatmann]

Sticking with the 288 but using decent stuff will work just as good, same calliper and same brake pad so same braking area. Trw or pagid are meant to be the better options.

The 312's look better but folk are stupid over the price of a set of carriers, they seem to think they're made of gold!

And no, you don't have to use the wind back tool but man it's a lot easier if you do. Basically you have to push the piston and turn it at the same time. I've done it a few times with a g clamp and c spanner but yeh, it's not as easy lol. You can get the proper tool for like less than £30 though.