Brake Discs And Pad Replacement (2008)

[Totally Tech IT]

Hey Guys

Just a quick question (if there is such a thing lol)

I'm aware I need to replace discs and pads all round my 2008 Avensis - I've put in my numberplate to Eurocarparts and it brings up loads of different options:

Pagid, Bosch, Eicher, Brembo.

Each brand offer several different types... Is there a manufacturer that is the "best" or should I be looking at Toyota Genuine Parts?

Some are vented, some are solid and there seems to be 3 different diameters - 277, 280, 295, several different heights and thicknesses too...

Can anyone explain to me if all of these different versions should fit - its got my numberplate after all! I'd love to get a set of 295 vented (I believe these are the best) but then if they are different to my current ones I may end up having to replace calipers etc I guess?

Can anyone shed some light please?

[Parts-King]

PM Me your reg number and I will price the genuine, discounted article for you

[Duggerz]

Genuine parts will always work well, but if you a want to consider other alternatives, Bosch and Brembo will be excellent, though there may not be a fitment for your particular variant. I can also recommend Ferodo and Mintex though not sold by Euro. I have used EBC (bought from Euro), never again. I have also used Pagid (bought from Euro) and they are ok as long as you aren't planning towing or any other activities that would put extra heat in the brakes, although I took them to fade point and beyond during a trip down cheddar gorge last year and they recovered ok, but I was sure not to stop the car for long with them boiling hot or they would have warped for sure. In the end I suppose in broad terms the old adage is true, you get what you pay for.

[TomdeGuerre]

Genuine parts will always work well, but if you a want to consider other alternatives, Bosch and Brembo will be excellent, though there may not be a fitment for your particular variant. I can also recommend Ferodo and Mintex though not sold by Euro. I have used EBC (bought from Euro), never again. I have also used Pagid (bought from Euro) and they are ok as long as you aren't planning towing or any other activities that would put extra heat in the brakes, although I took them to fade point and beyond during a trip down cheddar gorge last year and they recovered ok, but I was sure not to stop the car for long with them boiling hot or they would have warped for sure. In the end I suppose in broad terms the old adage is true, you get what you pay for.

I couldn't agree more with the above. Go for what Parts King has offered.

[Totally Tech IT]

I do tow, we did 800 miles towing the caravan last year and around 1200 the year before that - plus lots more with the smaller trailer etc... I'm not sure what I'm doing this coming year as the missus wants a hotel holiday abroad, although I do know the caravan is definitely doing one journey to the south of spain this year.

I don't mind getting the genuine ones, I've pm'd Parts King and I'd prefer to get genuine if I can, I just wondered if there was an upgraded version that I could look at lol... Although I did read yesterday when looking at insurance quotes, if you change the brakes you need to notify the insurance company they are no longer standard, personally I'd assume that upgrading them would reduce the insurance, but that said - maybe that makes me a boy racer? lol... Its been a few years since I've been able to say that lol.

Thanks for all the help so far :)

[Parts-King]

I see lots of carp written about brakes. The manufacturers spend a fortune on R&D. In terms of performance and doing what they are supposed to do, you will get no better than genuine. If you want to trade up or down, then you need to look at price /performance and take your choice. Talk of fade/feel/stopping distance is very much down to the individual MOST people would never be able to tell

[Duggerz]

I would agree that if you've never experienced fade you might confuse it with some kind of coubik fish, I.e. If you had no idea what you were talking about. My clue small though it was, came after 2 miles of downhill braking at low speed, where the car wouldn't stop and at the bottom of cheddar gorge, carried on into the adjoining road at the bottom despite my foot being firmly planned. The other clue, could be a perch or even a roach, was the distinctive smell of burning brakes. Still I'm not trying to sell anything, just relating my experience in the hope that it will help someone else avoid what happened to me.

[Duggerz]

Coubik = coubik, sometimes this phone has it's own ideas about what to write....

[Heidfirst]

Drew, which engine? The 2.2 D4D T25 Avensis uses hubs with a different PCD than all the other engines so has different discs. I suspect that they didn't make T2 trim with a 2.2. engine but I can't remember for sure.

When I changed the discs & pads on my 57 plate I went for MTEC discs with Ferodo Premier (not their standard) pads & was happy - I was never happy with the oem setup. Potentially just a pad change might have had the same effect.