I've not been able to get a feel for the cost/benefit results of various possible brake modifications by searching the archives. Could someone please point me to the information, or answer a few questions? How much bang for the buck (and improvement vs stock) by changing:

1) brake pad upgrades ONLY (e.g., Mintex vs. ?)
2) change to bigger rotors
3) the whole deal (and big $)

Thanks. BTW, this is only for street, with lots of mountain driving.

I'm looking for a good 4-piston setup that
a. Doesn't cost an arm and a leg
b. Fits under 16" OEM sport wheels

I would pester Todd at AWE- he is supposed to have something in the works. I'm curious to know what exactly he is developing. I could really go for a 4-piston Wilwood setup as long as my ABS still works and the whole thing fits under 16"s.

Why 16"s? I figure if I buy dedicated track tires, I would rather get 16"s and then get some steel wheels for the snows if need be.

TM

Except for the megadust, the stock brake pads are actually pretty darn good.
I have found the Mintex Red Box pads to be a little less grabby but they perform just as well in the dry. But there is a great improvement in the rain. Brake dust is no longer a problem.

If you are doing mountain driving, you'll want to minimize fade, so I think the slotted ATE's will be a nice improvement for you.

Going to a larger rotor is useless, if you don't go to a larger caliper & pads, but I don't think it's worth the added expense if you're really just doing regular street driving.

I plan to do a couple track events, and I think the ATE/Mintex setup should be sufficient for my needs.

I have the Mintex pads, but don't yet have the ATE Powerdiscs and am also considering getting them, especially after taking the car out at Limerock in August. Another deal cost 1K and it involoves Porsche Boxster calipers, pads(I think), and S4/A8 rotors. I forgot the qclub member's name who is working on this setup for the A4, but he definitely seems very knowledgable and started his own brake research company.

Looking forward to seeing you on the 16th!

-Jeff 99' 1.8Tqmsx, MTM Stage 2, A!, Mintex, etc...