OEM brakes

[scimmiamagia!]

What are the preferred replacement brake kits for a California? Brembo or best to stick with Volkswagen fitted?

 

[dspuk]

Given the cost to replace, that they can be hardly been seen and that the factory ones are spot on, is there a specific reason to change them?

 

[RockinNRollin]

Not sure if there's a difference between the Beach and Ocean brakes, but the brakes on mine are more than competent for the vehicle even when fully laden - it's not a sports car! There's also hardly any clearance between the callipers and the 17" wheels on the Ocean and given the Beach gets 16" wheels I think, maybe suggests the Beach does have smaller brakes? If that's the case, you could probably upgrade to Ocean brakes but you'd need bigger discs and bigger wheels for the clearance. Aftermarket, clearly Brembo are well known and make good brakes, but I've no idea what options they have for Transporters, and again you'll be into bigger wheels and new discs - that can get expensive.

The alternative route is better pads; fresh discs and good quality pads (e.g. EBC) can make braking better and remove the need for more expensive tinkering.

All of this is predicated on your braking system actually being in tip top condition; I would suggest checking the callipers are sliding smoothly, the discs and pads are in good condition and the brake fluid hasn't accumulated much moisture content to reduce effectiveness. These things can make a surprising difference.

 

[Meoncoast]

Replaced our pads and discs last year with Brembo. via Independent quick fit centre. Happy with them.

 

[RockinNRollin]

Replaced our pads and discs last year with Brembo. via Independent quick fit centre. Happy with them.

I have just realised the OP may have been talking about the actual discs and pads, not the callipers. Doh.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Standard setup is more than adequate.

Anyone that struggles to stop would be better off spending money on additional driving lessons and/or eyesight test.

 

[Californication69]

Standard setup is more than adequate.

Anyone that struggles to stop would be better off spending money on additional driving lessons and/or eyesight test.

You can get retired / Ex Police interceptor types who do independent lessons and assessments.
I’ve done two, and are amazing on how much more you see and how you can drive to the conditions. Very useful. Also saves me replacing brake pads and discs as frequently.
Tyres on tarmac at islands and collect the person behind you and take them to the island.
We’re two invaluable pieces of learning.

 

[Perfectos]

What are the preferred replacement brake kits for a California? Brembo or best to stick with Volkswagen fitted?

Bigger brakes (caliper & discs) = there is a whole world of aftermarket upgrades designed to empty your wallet and look great.
Performance upgrade debatable!

I guess your T6 is a standard chassis not 17” (most Beach models were standard) Mine has 17” factory wheels from new, I only have the “smaller “ standard front brakes.

the Ocean has the Larger front Discs callipers etc. As standard

All transporters / Calis etc regardless of model have the same size rear brakes.

Standard callipers are readily available from Motor factors etc.

Brake pads = Get a decent set of Pads (padgid , Brembo etc) cheaper than OEM and you can get them fitted cheaper (or do it yourself)

 

[flying banana]

He just wants to replace the brakes,i presume their worn out and that will be the reason. Pagid or brembo for me. Performance wise I notice no difference apart from in the wallet

 

[Ocean Spirit]

I went brembo.
Fitted them myself with some help from a friend and the bottom line is I can't tell the difference. except Brembo have a good reputation and were cheaper than VW parts.

 

[Resfeber]

I went brembo.
Fitted them myself with some help from a friend and the bottom line is I can't tell the difference. except Brembo have a good reputation and were cheaper than VW parts.

I too fitted Brembo rear discs and pads after the OEM rears were heavily scored and corroded and an advisory at the first MOT in 2021.
Nearly 30 k miles later have nice shiny discs and loads of pad left and no advisory’s after 2 subsequent MOTs.
Brembo for me

 

[Californication69]

Anybody tried EBC Yellowstuff?
I have them on my Saab, front calipers and discs upgraded from 285 to 314mm.
The thing stops on a dime now.

 

[scimmiamagia!]

I was wondering if aftermarket replacements were worth the cost saving if there is a cost saving versus oem.

 

[scimmiamagia!]

I have been quoted by Volkswagen for discs and pads all round and it’s obviously not cheap. Not that I want it to be cheap. I want it to be good value! Is any aftermarket brake setup better value than the oem ie if I spend £1k with VW would I get just as good performance and reliability spending £800 with an aftermarket brand fitted at a specialist and would it void any vw used warranty. I have 17” on 2018 Beach.

 

[WelshGas]

I have been quoted by Volkswagen for discs and pads all round and it’s obviously not cheap. Not that I want it to be cheap. I want it to be good value! Is any aftermarket brake setup better value than the oem ie if I spend £1k with VW would I get just as good performance and reliability spending £800 with an aftermarket brand fitted at a specialist and would it void any vw used warranty. I have 17” on 2018 Beach.

If VW do the work then you have a 2 yr warranty on Parts and Labour.

 

[Perfectos]

If you want to spend £800 - £1000 on brake discs and pads , I’m ready and waiting to change yours !
have a look at Halfords & Euro car parts , I got a full set front rear, disks and pads for under £200 ! Fitting myself is free , an indie would be £200 !

dealer !

edit if I have to come to you it an extra £600 !

 

[scimmiamagia!]

Ok. So next question is where in and around Surrey can I get a quote for supply and fitting a set of brembo disks and pads?

 

[Resfeber]

Ok. So next question is where in and around Surrey can I get a quote for supply and fitting a set of brembo disks and pads?

Euro parts has a fitting service for these parts by contracting to local (to you) independent garages.

Fit It For Me | Car Parts Fitting Service | Euro Car Parts

Use our “Fit It For Me” car parts fitting service on a range of products including Headlight Bulbs, Car Batteries, Brake Pads and more – Euro Car Parts

www.eurocarparts.com

Start with your reg and location

Euro Car Parts | Car Parts Online & In Store – FREE UK Delivery

Car Parts for every make and model. Order Car Parts Online or Click & Collect same day. Free delivery in UK, 250+ Branches Nationwide.

www.eurocarparts.com

 

[Nick Stubbs]

Euro car parts do not list a single item for our Cali, to them our reg number is an unspecified vehicle, Most motor factors on their data bases list as a caddy and found that simple parts like air filters are incorrect for the vehicle. TPS have it correct as do VW as y would hope. Anyway replaced all the pads earlier this year on ours (60thou) with Oem bits cost in the region of £120 for the four corners and a couple of hours work for me, can’t fault the braking in any respect and the discs are all still good.

 

[Perfectos]

Also try Halfords, from time to time they have unbelievable deals on

Guess who supplies Halford with their motor Parts ?

you guessed it Euro car parts .

 

[Resfeber]

Euro car parts do not list a single item for our Cali, to them our reg number is an unspecified vehicle, Most motor factors on their data bases list as a caddy and found that simple parts like air filters are incorrect for the vehicle. TPS have it correct as do VW as y would hope. Anyway replaced all the pads earlier this year on ours (60thou) with Oem bits cost in the region of £120 for the four corners and a couple of hours work for me, can’t fault the braking in any respect and the discs are all still good.

Strange they find my California fine on a personal plate

 

[Lambeth Cali]

If you said to most people 'would you like cheap brakes?' most people would say 'No'.

But people seem to regularly by cheap tyres. I always find that odd.

 

[RockinNRollin]

"Cheap" brakes are not unsafe, at worst they'll be more susceptible to warping and possibly marginally less braking power with cheapo pads. The cost difference though isn't massive between good brakes and good pads, so I'd always get good quality. Just don't go for drilled or grooved discs - they're more trouble than they're worth on anything other than a high performance vehicle where originally specified.

Just find a recommended indie (might even suggest heading over to the T6 forums for a recommendation; some small car workshops might not have the lift for a Cali, both height in the workshop and weight capacity) and just say you want new discs and pads; let them sort it out. It's one of the simplest jobs on a vehicle, labour shouldn't be steep unless the callipers are faulty (unlikely). If you want to be picky about parts quality, tell them you want good quality parts and specify make and model if you really want to, but let them sort out exactly the disc diameter, hub fitting etc.. as that's their job to worry about.

 

[B J G]

Strange they find my California fine on a personal plate

View attachment 116825

No problem identifying mine either, also private plate.

Trade buy vehicle info from DVLA on a periodic basis which shows up when a private plate swap over has been done, took a few months for mine to update on Trade sites.

 

[B J G]

Euro car parts do not list a single item for our Cali, to them our reg number is an unspecified vehicle, Most motor factors on their data bases list as a caddy and found that simple parts like air filters are incorrect for the vehicle. TPS have it correct as do VW as y would hope. Anyway replaced all the pads earlier this year on ours (60thou) with Oem bits cost in the region of £120 for the four corners and a couple of hours work for me, can’t fault the braking in any respect and the discs are all still good.

When you do a DVLA check on your Cali does that show up correctly?

Use check if a vehicle is taxed option.