Changing front discs and pads - advice needed (Lucas)

[OdinEidolon]

I'm going to need to change front pads and discs soon.
I have several possibilities. I'd like to have a good breaking without spending too much. I don't do track and I'm a very conscious driver most of the time, really concerned by security also because I drive with a 1 y.o. in the car most of the time.
I brake very rarely and 90% of the time I use only the engine to brake, forseeing traffic stops.
I have the standard Lucas on my 2.2HDi saloon.

Peugeot discs and pads are out of question since they are too expensive for what they offer. I'd like not to mix brands - is this a real concern I have?
Possibilities may be:

EBC:
dp1047 pads + d846 discs + shipping to ITA = 128£ from EBCbrakesdirect <-- this is greenstuff + standard discs
dp21047 pads + gd846 discs + shipping to ITA = 216£ from ECP <-- this is redstuff + grooved discs. Is it worth it?
mix of dp1047 and gd846 or dp21047 and d846 may be possible too. Any suggestion about this?

Brembo:
p 61 057 pads + 09.9616.14 discs + shipping = 60£ for the discs + unknown for the pads, can't find them anywhere

Ferodo:
FBD1063 pads + DDF841 disc + shipping = 93£ on Ebay

I know there are many other possible makers, any good and cheap for our brakes?
I've heard Textars are not that good, Tarox are extremely good and extremely expensive.
Any suggestion is welcome.
Again, I look for maximum comfort and security, while not spending too much. Life period of the pads is also important - I plan to get at least 30-40k out of a single set.

Thanks!

[ally406]

Hi Odin, I recently changed the front discs and pads. I presume yours is the usual 283mm setup?

I got these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-PEUGE ... 0653189048

At the time the guy had a "make an offer" button and he took £30 (the "kit" is a pair of discs). Very good deal, I would message him and see if he can do you the same.

I then got a set of EBC green stuff pads for £20 at auction, again a bargain. They do work well and I'm pleased with them.

Ferodo do 2 types of pads for the 406, the normal road type pad, and the DS2500 which is an entry level trackday/motorsport pad. I have used these a lot on the Clio on the track and they are excellent, good stopping power and very good fade resistance. They are very civilised for a non-road type pad, the dust isn't nasty paint work destroyting stuff like some other aggressive pads. I saw these on ebay for £136 a set as I recall, pricey but the compound is very hard and they last a while.

I would generally avoid grooved discs, they rarely make any difference with the modern brake pad and people usually buy them for show. They are more prone to problems like fracturing etc. I would get the OE discs above and spend your money on the pads.

[steve_earwig]

...the DS2500 which is an entry level trackday/motorsport pad.

I think we may have wandered slightly away from the remit of the topic These will be very good if you drive like a maniac but in normal driving they'll probably be worse than average pads as they won't get hot enough to function correctly.

I got a set of Mintex brakes and pads off ebay for something like 80 quid and they're fine.

Btw I'm trying to get away from engine braking - changing disks and pads is cheaper than changing clutches, covers, bearings and fLyWhEeLs

[OdinEidolon]

...the DS2500 which is an entry level trackday/motorsport pad.

I think we may have wandered slightly away from the remit of the topic These will be very good if you drive like a maniac but in normal driving they'll probably be worse than average pads as they won't get hot enough to function correctly.

I got a set of Mintex brakes and pads off ebay for something like 80 quid and they're fine.

Btw I'm trying to get away from engine braking - changing disks and pads is cheaper than changing clutches, covers, bearings and fLyWhEeLs

Thanks for the hints guys.
The ebay link is perfect, thanks.
I may get the Peugeot discs, but he ships to UK only. Worth an email tho.

Engine breaking is great! I know you don't have real mountains there in UK ( ), so may not be that used, but here where I live it's impossible to do without for me. Also it saves the brake circuit from overheating, and brake problems are always difficult and costly to solve. Clutches are fine... if they can handle 315Nm of torque they can handle engine breaking with no problem as well, that's much less torque.

[steve_earwig]

No, no proper mountains in the UK. Not that I saw last time I was there anyway Oh yes, engine braking down steep slopes is good, using the brakes is likely to make them overheat and fail... I know mjb says he matches the revs to the speed and never slips the clutch but I'm just not that good I guess, so I'm forgoing most of the downshifting in favour of wearing the brakes out instead.

[ally406]

...the DS2500 which is an entry level trackday/motorsport pad.

I think we may have wandered slightly away from the remit of the topic These will be very good if you drive like a maniac but in normal driving they'll probably be worse than average pads as they won't get hot enough to function correctly.

I got a set of Mintex brakes and pads off ebay for something like 80 quid and they're fine.

Btw I'm trying to get away from engine braking - changing disks and pads is cheaper than changing clutches, covers, bearings and fLyWhEeLs

I wouldn't say so, they really are good from cold. Like I said they are entry level and not overly aggressive. They offer firmer pedal feel, better bite and much higher fade resistance than a standard type pad. I would probably have plonked for them on my 406 had the green stuffs not come up at a daft price. People occasionally complain that they squeak, but I've never had a problem provided that everything is cleaned up properly. Otherwise the only other downside as far as I can see is the price. They definitely get the thumbs up from me, and they are pretty much a standard issue brake upgrade for the guys on the Clio forum.

[OdinEidolon]

I've heard excellent stuff about them too, but the price is too high. Greenpads are available for 60£, that's less than half, and all agree its a perfectly good pad, not too harsh and stll very civilized for road use.
I'd prefer to get a 2x set of greens actually. But I saw the guy who is selling the genuine discs is selling also pads, at 30£ it doesn't seem like a bad deal, especially since I hear standard Peugeot pads aren't bad.