Upgrading brakes cupra 300 ST (2018)

[kns86]

Hi all, I have a 2018 ST that's done just over 40k miles, with now the service due indicator on, was looking to replace brake fluid but had a thought of upgrading the brakes at some point (as looking to get some tuning done over next year)


Has anyone else here done this previously that could share some advice/ recommendations of parts? (I did this for my previous car which was a 208 GTi, sticking bigger brembo discs and pads which definitely helped stopping better than stock!).


I do have obd11, believe the brake priming process can be done with this? (Only ever replaced a battery and oil filter thus far.. so haven't ventured into anything else)

Thanks!

 

[nd-photo.nl]

Do you have the stock 340mm discs or the 370mm performance brakes?

 

[kns86]

Just checked 340mm stock. Rear look to be 290/300 mm ?

 

[DEAN0]

Just checked 340mm stock. Rear look to be 290/300 mm ?

Stock size are 340 front and 310 rear.

 

[kns86]

Ah great!.

Any recommendations for upgrades on standard sizing discs/pads? (Other than brembo which I've used in past which seemed fine)

Although on a side note (brain fart question) do the bigger performance discs (370mm) use the same calipers that would be found on the 340mm disc?

 

[Bluepower]

I've done the 340mm 4-piston Macan swap on my 1.8tsi (OEM brakes are only 288mm). Really happy with them

IMG 20250506 160527

Image IMG 20250506 160527 in Files by bluepower20vt album

tinypic.host

IMG 20250425 165220

Image IMG 20250425 165220 in Files by bluepower20vt album

tinypic.host

 

[Chariot]

I've done the 340mm 4-piston Macan swap on my 1.8tsi (OEM brakes are only 288mm). Really happy with them

IMG 20250506 160527

Image IMG 20250506 160527 in Files by bluepower20vt album

tinypic.host

IMG 20250425 165220

Image IMG 20250425 165220 in Files by bluepower20vt album

tinypic.host

Did you find a "how-to" on SCN or did you write your own.

 

[Bluepower]

Found this one, but it is pretty straight forward:

Consolidated Macan Brembo upgrade thread (READ FIRST POST)

For some reason it's harder to get all the air out of the system with these calipers. Bleed the system LF, RF, LR, RR, then do multiple ABS stops. Give it a day or two, then do a 30 psi bleed LF, RF, LR, RR. If you bleed correctly, they are rock solid. If you aren't going to use Castrol Red...

www.golfmk7.com

I used the OEM Macan brake lines

 

[OfekCUPRA]

2018 5f 290 Cupra Leon
Got mine upgraded from stock around 35,000km ago when original one died.

I upgraded to full set of TAROX F2000 brakes with corsa pads.

Front ones

Front TAROX Brake Discs - SEAT Leon (5F) 340mm PR 1LJ / 1LG - TAROX European Online Store

www.taroxbrakes.eu

Rear ones

Rear TAROX Brake Discs - SEAT Leon (5F) Rear Axle 310mm PR 1KJ / 1KY / 2ES - TAROX European Online Store

www.taroxbrakes.eu

Pads

Corsa Brake Pads - TAROX European Online Store

www.taroxbrakes.eu

Changes the fluid also to their set (tarox) and braided brake hoses

Overall in driving experience all I have to say those brakes are significantly better and much more responsive with a higher range of baking sensitivity. In cold days the pads must be warm well before you can actually feel the strength of break because of the corsa pads but for daily use thats ok,
in track, high speed, and hot environment the brakes still function great with very responsive brake pad and strong brakes, much more then the original did. In addition, those brakes can take multiple track days and lots of laps before tear down or heats up. The claim is around 60,000-70,000k in daily use, which is also great

 

[SuperV8]

Ah great!.

Any recommendations for upgrades on standard sizing discs/pads? (Other than brembo which I've used in past which seemed fine)

Although on a side note (brain fart question) do the bigger performance discs (370mm) use the same calipers that would be found on the 340mm disc?

Regarding the 370mm disc - no you would need new caliper, pads and discs (maybe new hoses). Simple bolt on, nice - but expensive.
Uses a 4x fixed piston caliper & 370mm composite disc (alloy bell pinned to iron rotor) from the early TTRS.

The standard Cupra 340mm disc brake uses completely different single piston iron sliding caliper. Simplest 'upgrade' path is just fitting pads with good high temp fade resistance - which I would question their benefit if strictly a road car.

 

[Bluepower]

Regarding the 370mm disc - no you would need new caliper, pads and discs (maybe new hoses). Simple bolt on, nice - but expensive.
Uses a 4x fixed piston caliper & 370mm composite disc (alloy bell pinned to iron rotor) from the early TTRS.

The standard Cupra 340mm disc brake uses completely different single piston iron sliding caliper. Simplest 'upgrade' path is just fitting pads with good high temp fade resistance - which I would question their benefit if strictly a road car.

Hence my upgrade of the calipers to the Porsche Maca 4-piston, but still with the 340mm disc:
https://tinypic.host/image/3UC5NG
https://tinypic.host/image/3UC3f1

 

[Craig.]

If you have the 340mm discs and calipers from factory, you can fit the uprated 340mm discs from the VW T-Roc R (part number 5Q0615301P when I last checked), which are the non-drilled version of the MK7 Golf GTi CSS brake discs, whilst keeping your original calipers. OR if you're feeling flush, the Golf GTi CSS drilled discs.

 

[SuperV8]

If you have the 340mm discs and calipers from factory, you can fit the uprated 340mm discs from the VW T-Roc R (part number 5Q0615301P when I last checked), which are the non-drilled version of the MK7 Golf GTi CSS brake discs, whilst keeping your original calipers. OR if you're feeling flush, the Golf GTi CSS drilled discs.

View attachment 48684

Lovely discs - but I would question whether most drivers could notice the difference of 0.5-1.0kg less unsprung mass.

 

[SuperV8]

Hence my upgrade of the calipers to the Porsche Maca 4-piston, but still with the 340mm disc:
https://tinypic.host/image/3UC5NG
https://tinypic.host/image/3UC3f1

Did you also need new wheels - due to the wider fixed caliper?

 

[Craig.]

Lovely discs - but I would question whether most drivers could notice the difference of 0.5-1.0kg less unsprung mass.

When I last checked they were ~1.1kg lighter per disc than the standard 340mm Cupra discs but weight wasn't part of the consideration, unless I missed it mentioned? I've been known to do that lol. I do agree that only changing 1 part wouldn't have an earth shattering impact.

Weight is usually the last consideration for anyone to look to change their brake set up on a road car but always enjoy seeing anyone consider unsprung weight as it's pretty much always overlooked. Better cooling/heat management due to different vein design and/or materials used (same for pads I suppose) and also the usual looks/bragging rights are often the more common goals. That and the obvious, more stopping power or consistency of use (fade avoidance). RS3 air cooling ducts would have a good supporting positive impact too. All of which can be discussed at length for hours.

As long as there are no negative impacts then not noticing 1 part of the positive impacts wouldn't be a deal breaker for most.

What would be your thoughts on the impact of swapping the discs with the 5Q0615301P disc and pads with good high temp fade resistance? Would that have a noticeable positive impact on brake use and/or performance?

 

[SuperV8]

When I last checked they were ~1.1kg lighter per disc than the standard 340mm Cupra discs but weight wasn't part of the consideration, unless I missed it mentioned? I've been known to do that lol. I do agree that only changing 1 part wouldn't have an earth shattering impact.

Weight is usually the last consideration for anyone to look to change their brake set up on a road car but always enjoy seeing anyone consider unsprung weight as it's pretty much always overlooked. Better cooling/heat management due to different vein design and/or materials used (same for pads I suppose) and also the usual looks/bragging rights are often the more common goals. That and the obvious, more stopping power or consistency of use (fade avoidance). RS3 air cooling ducts would have a good supporting positive impact too. All of which can be discussed at length for hours.

As long as there are no negative impacts then not noticing 1 part of the positive impacts wouldn't be a deal breaker for most.

What would be your thoughts on the impact of swapping the discs with the 5Q0615301P disc and pads with good high temp fade resistance? Would that have a noticeable positive impact on brake use and/or performance?

Those discs are nice - but very expensive - basically same price as the 370 versions!

Personally I would either fit some good pads to the stock discs, and fit some braided hoses and call it good - or if I was feeling 'flush' go for the 370 option.
Just the caliper swap alone will save some weight over the big iron single piston caliper.

The main benefit from fitting composite discs (two piece - alloy bell, with iron rotor) is improved thermal fatigue resistance - as discs get hot, the friction surface expands, as the cool it contracts. Over many high temp cycles you start to get cracks at the joint where the disc friction surface joins the iron top hat - this is why the better designed one piece cast discs generally have swoopy curves for the joining area - to reduce this cracking/reduce the stress riser..
Two piece discs by their nature are able to expand and contract and not crack this joining area as they are two different materials. This would only ever be an issue on the race track - you will never cycle the discs hot enough on the road.

 

[nd-photo.nl]

@Craig. I am also one of the loonies who looks at weights haha. Normally I weigh all the wheels I have, because I simply want to know. I still have to weigh the 2 sets on the Cupra

For instance on my CLS55

E63 replicas, front wheel 19x9.5j / 25,4kg

Original CLS55 AMG wheel, 19x8.5j / 25.6kg

Japan Racing SL-01 Flowformed, 20x9j / 21.8kg

You can also upgrade the 340mm caliper to the Porsche Macan caliper, although I dont know how much benefit there is.

I also upgraded the brakes on the CLS55. I went from 360mm single piece (15.5kg) to 390mm 2piece (13.5)using the same calipers. That saved 2kg per corner and was noticable!

 

[Bluepower]

Did you also need new wheels - due to the wider fixed caliper?

I did not, but my wheels have enough clearance for wide calipers (my wheels are 8.5x19 ET50 MTM Motorsport). But i can imagine that a lot of other wheels might need a spacer or even new wheels in order to fit. These calipers are pretty wide over the disc