Modern cars

Had my Golf for two weeks now, and it's brilliant.

The other day I went to drive one of the cars at work, a 2004 Skoda Fabia - hadn't noticed it before, but the brakes are SOOO good compared to the Golf!!  For the first 5 or so miles every time I touched the brake my passenger would lunge forward.  Haha, think of the leg muscle my Golf must be creating.. better than the gym this!

Dom

Has it got the standard acceptible mod of a Mk2 brake servo? if not its worthwile doing it.

I did the same in a new Passat estate yesterday. I touched the brakes at 100km/h and thought I'd hit a brick wall such was the force. I don't think the van driver behind me was too impressed.

drochesaunders said

  Haha, think of the leg muscle my Golf must be creating.. better than the gym this!

My golf saves me 60 odd quid a month in gym fees.

Clutch and braking - leg muscles. Steering - arms, shoulders, chest. Back muscles - continuous writhing around underneath the car. Face muscles - as you yelp for the third time in as many minutes after the spanner has slipped off a bolt and you gouge your knuckles again in the same place as before. Various muscles - acting like a contortionist trying to get in or out of the car when the hood is up - either I'm still growing or the car is shrinking (I'm 6ft 3 and 28 y.o.).

been driving my fellors 04 reg ford ka

hes convinced i cant drive for peanuts due to the excessive planting of brakes
also thinks ive lied about my age as i keep gettin overly excited about the electric windows and height adjustable seats lol

but the only bit about his car i like better than mine ( other than it moves )
is the power stearing , amazing how even being white blonde and a women in this car i can reverse park wi one hand yay

I personally don't think mk1 brakes are so bad, not on the GTi anyway.  I think people are just used to featherlite brake pedals now! Push the pedal harder! If you put enough effort in I find I get plenty of effiency.

I agree with dirtyburty.  If the mk1's brakes were that bad then they wouldn't pass an mot.  There's more than enough braking available, it just takes a little more effort than modern cars.  It's nice to be able to feel whats going on rather than having other bits of equipment deciding what's best for the situation.

In the event of having to stamp on the anchors to avoid an accident, most drivers with ABS fitted don't apply enough force to even activate it.

I used ABS ONCE to avoid hitting the back of a bus and boy you can really hear and feel the it working. Point is the brakes in my GTi are just fine, I changed discs and pads about two months ago and they work just dandy.

Tian

ew said

I agree with dirtyburty.  If the mk1's brakes were that bad then they wouldn't pass an mot.  There's more than enough braking available, it just takes a little more effort than modern cars.  It's nice to be able to feel whats going on rather than having other bits of equipment deciding what's best for the situation.

I would agree too.

However, they do suffer quite badly from brake fade being only single layer dics.

But the 256mm groved Brembo items i've got should have me nutting the windscreen again soon!!

Pricie

now ive got new brake pipes, steel hoses and greenstuff pads on, i can stop from 70 in 5 'white lines'  :wink:
i really like the fact that you can progressively brake, modern cars tis either on or off with nothing in between, just to be able to ease your speed round a corner makes driving more fun imo
and if youve gotta stop real fast the old adreniline makes you nail that pedal anyhow, for a simple mechanical system thats 20 yrs old im a happy bunny

i let my mate whos got a mk5 drive it the other day and even he was impressed, having read all the bad press about it.

MK1 brakes are ok, GTi ones are better but i am definately improving them! It does, however teach you not to get up cars 'bums' or drive without looking well ahead. All skills that are good and mostly forgotton with modern cars and the 'well it'll stop/go around the problem' attitude. Like the volvo drivers 'i'm safer than you in an accident' way of driving….

i used to own a Volvo…

it was a 1974 245 DL estate, 2.3. I was Eighteen and it was rear wheel drive. Trust me, it taught me a lot about driving, especially sideways trying to stay out of the ditch by the local 'wet road accident blackspot' !!!  

Although, i do believe you only become a 'true' Volvo driver during the flat cap and pipe years, and if you are of a certain disposition. (Mk1 owners need not apply!)

droogeh said

Like the volvo drivers 'i'm safer than you in an accident' way of driving….

Ah, not so, my Dad drives a modern Volvo and his driving is the best I've seen from any of my friends' parents.

just out of interest how well do mk2 golf brakes work compared to modern vehicles  (there better than mk1's apparantly) say an 05 reg nissan micra.

trev56 said

just out of interest how well do mk2 golf brakes work compared to modern vehicles  (there better than mk1's apparantly) say an 05 reg nissan micra.

Does said Nissan Micra have ABS?

i should think it does but i haven't got my self in a sitituation where i have needed it yet.