288mm > 312mm brake upgrade confirmation.

[iain1970]

I'm now ready for new brakes all round on my 2006 2.0 TDI Sport and have been weighing up a swap to 312mm brakes.

There are a good few threads saying it's a simple case of replacing the caliper carriers and dust shields from the 312mm equipped cars and bolting on the existing calipers.

However, there are also some incomplete threads about disc width differences, the 312s being thicker than the 288s and on Sere Motors brake thread, different calipers are mentioned.

Anyone have the definitive lowdown on the parts required to upgrade to 312mm?

 

[skard]

I have done this - as a minimum all you need is carriers, discs and best off with new pads (although they're the same as the 288 ones).

You don't need front dust shields they are the same PN between 288s and 312s.

If you buy mk5 platform 312 discs you'll be fine.

 

[iain1970]

Nice one! Thanks for the info. I shall get parts ordering tomorrow.

 

[CrispDust]

like he said. An easy upgrade.

 

[pdh 14a]

The 345mm cupra or golf R32 brakes will go straight on too! I managed to find a set cheaper than the 312 conversion when i was looking for some!

 

[iain1970]

I've noticed that too. Although I'm running the FR550 wheels day-to-day, I have the original 16" alloys wrapped in essential (for me) winter rubber.

 

[skard]

Weird, I haven't seen this. I got two GTI front calipers and carriers, recently refurbed, for £40 off a forum.

Was at a scrappy today and noticed a GTI in with carriers all round, don't suppose they'd have been too dear.

Think you need minimum 17" wheels to clear 345mm discs.

 

[pdh 14a]

I've noticed that too. Although I'm running the FR550 wheels day-to-day, I have the original 16" alloys wrapped in essential (for me) winter rubber.

Fair enough,you won't get 16's over the cupra brakes,17's are very tight!

 

[Mao]

Hello. I need help. I'm looking to change my fronts to 312 but what donor vehicles can I take them from?? S3, golf mkiv?? Would really appreciate any advice.

 

[skard]

Off the top of my head...Golf mk5 GTI, GT170, A3 8P 2.0T and probably 170bhp diesels, Leon FR(?), Octavia VRs etc. Probably 2004+ Passat too.

Golf mk4, Leon mk1, A3 up to a 03 plate is a different platform and won't fit.

 

[Mao]

Ah thank you Just need to find some now!

 

[skard]

On the lookout for some carriers myself after realising our Altea has 288mm discs.

I just sold an R32 front setup as well.

 

[Mao]

Well if you find anywhere that sells them at a good price and have a few, give me a shout as I can't seem to find any!

 

[skard]

Will do, I think I'll knock it on the head as I found a set of discs and pads in the shed that did 400 miles on my old car before I did this very upgrade to it.

 

[Mao]

Wish my shed had useful things in it! Mine's full of dead spiders and rusty paint tins. Anyway with the carriers its probably a case of if I don't look, I'll find.

 

[skard]

Another reason I'm hanging back is her winter wheels are 15" and wouldn't fit with 312's.

My shed is also full of said stuff!