My 2009 2.0 TDI runabout and occasional track warrior

[timk_]

Hey all,

I've had my 2009 2.0 TDI for a year now, and have made a few improvements along the way. It's an awesome little car and I almost have to pinch myself to realise that I get to own and drive this thing!

The car is primarily used to get groceries and other running around tasks, but I also enjoy driving through the mountains. I cycle to work so it's mainly used on the weekends.

In the past I have taken my other cars to track days (circuit) and I plan on doing the same with this Golf. The main issue I have is destroying street brake pads. I would be interested to hear how people address this when they have a car that is 99% used on the street like this, maybe a second (different) set of pads and rotors?

The first change I made was to replace the radio with an Android Auto/CarPlay capable unit, this made the car way more liveable:

The second change was to swap the steering wheel from a Passat CC, which is identical to the standard wheel other than the fact it also includes paddle shifters:

The DSG seems to choose the right gears most of the time but now I have the option of manual control whenever I want, which is especially nice for those mountain drives!

Cheers

 

[Thumper]

In the past I have taken my other cars to track days (circuit) and I plan on doing the same with this Golf. The main issue I have is destroying street brake pads. I would be interested to hear how people address this when they have a car that is 99% used on the street like this, maybe a second (different) set of pads and rotors?

Probably don't need to swap rotors unless you are going more hardcore at the track. As for pads you have a few options which depends on your expectations and goals. You can go with a slightly more aggressive pad that will bite better at the track but still be livable on the street. Just have to decide how much bite you want at the track and how much brake dust and noise you can live with on the street. You could get a set of dedicated track pads and swap them out when you are going to the track. Then there's a hybrid option like the EBC Yellowstuff which are billed as being friendly on the street but then track bite when they get heated up. I tried them on the Golf R and they worked pretty well at first but could not cope with the speeds of Stg 3 and full floating rotors. On a mild modified car they would likely be a nice fit as I was super impressed with them on the street and the first weekend at the track. The second track weekend they just packed up, initial bite was street level, then they would grab with a passion halfway through the brake zone, then just fall on their face in extended brake zones.

If you are really doing 99% street driving I would just get a slightly better street pad that will have a bit more dust and little to no noise and be done.

 

[timk_]

Thanks for the advice, come to think of it I swapped between Carbotech 1521 (for street use) and XP10 pads (for track use) on my old car that was used predominantly for track events, and it didn't seem to do anything bad to the rotors or braking performance.

I'm using ATE ceramic pads now so wasn't too sure if the same applied. I don't think ATE have a performance pad offering.

I think I'll just send it as-is and see!

 

[timk_]

Unfortunately not off to a great start, I have a track day booked in that is two weeks away but my car is exhibiting all the symptoms of a dual mass flywheel failure!

Fingers crossed it isn't anything worse and parts are available.

 

[Thumper]

I'm using ATE ceramic pads now so wasn't too sure if the same applied. I don't think ATE have a performance pad offering.

I think I'll just send it as-is and see!

There you go!! Just might be worth taking a look at them afterwards.

Unfortunately not off to a great start, I have a track day booked in that is two weeks away but my car is exhibiting all the symptoms of a dual mass flywheel failure!

Fingers crossed it isn't anything worse and parts are available.

That sucks.

 

[timk_]

Managed to make the track day in time with a new DMF and DSG clutch pack thankfully!

I ran some 76 second laps at Lakeside Park which considering I was on eco tyres (Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus) and street pads I was super happy with. To be honest if I put sport tyres on I would have to upgrade the pads, they already felt marginal.

Here's some footage from the event:

I had an absolute blast and the car exceeded my expectations in every way!

The only mechanical issue (brakes aside) was a rear wheel bearing now emitting a deep "whoop whoop" noise toward the end of the day.

Cheers

 

[Thumper]

Managed to make the track day in time with a new DMF and DSG clutch pack thankfully!

I ran some 76 second laps at Lakeside Park which considering I was on eco tyres (Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus) and street pads I was super happy with. To be honest if I put sport tyres on I would have to upgrade the pads, they already felt marginal.

That looked great, like you had the track to yourself, love it when that happens.

Better tires won't affect the brake efficiency, it goes the other way. The brakes apply grip to the wheel assembly, the tire applies that grip to the surface. If you upgrade your brakes too much you will have to get better tires. Ask me how I know LOL I did my brake upgrade to full floating 2-piece slotted and an R16 G-Loc pad and was still running Pirelli PZ4s. The brakes will grab the rotor and slow the assembly rapidly and if the tires don't have enough grip to apply that to the surface they slip.

Man, the Pirelli's are amazing at gripping in corners in the wet, but I sure got a lot of practice with brake modulation in the rainy sessions last year. The R16s would overcome the ABS like I was on ice if I went anywhere past 70% brake pressure LOL On dry pavement once they are heated I could only go to about 90% and then they would outbrake the tire.