Informative guide on possible OEM (+) front brake swaps on MQB cars

[Jachas]

Hello. I was looking for info on possible brake swap to my car in the future. There is many info about many different OEM (+) swaps, but the info is scattered around the internet and I had an idea to make a thread with most of them, for easier future search for others.

If anyone knows some other possible OEM (+) swaps for MQB platform (and what part are missing on the lists), feel free to post and I will update my posts.

(List is not 100% complete, some required parts on some swaps can be missing, list is only about OEM and OEM+ swaps ONLY, without BBK kits and it's only informative)




OEM Brakes (And swaps)




276x24mm (FSIII)

Long story short. With this setup you need to change hub carrier and then, start swapping to different size brakes of your choice (OEM, OEM+ or BBK)




288x25mm or 312x25mm (57mm Piston, Sliding Caliper) (TRW PC57)

Very nice and detailed guide was made by golfdave, so I will just put link to his guide.
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...-the-312mm-front-brakes-to-a-mk7-golf.338138/

I can only recommend to do 312mm disc swap, unless you wanna use 15’ wheel, then you wanna do 288mm swap (312mm requires 16’ wheel minimum)



314x30mm or 340x30mm (60mm Piston, Sliding Caliper) (TRW C60)

This swap is very similar to the 288/312mm swap with 57mm piston sliding caliper, but instead uses bigger, 60mm piston. 314mm AFAIK is only available in silver (zinc plated) version (because the OEM caliper carriers for 314 are only available in zinc plated version, caliper for 314 and 340mm is the same). The 340mm version is available in silver (zinc plated), red (with different front plates for caliper, like GTI, S3,Clubsport S,etc.) and black.(same deal with front plates, there’s many different variants)


For 314mm swap, you will need:
Left Caliper 3C0615123
Right Caliper 3C0615124
Caliper Carrier Left 7N0615125
Caliper Carrier Right 7N0615126
Brake pads 8V0698151C / 5Q0698151AJ
Brake rotor 5QF615301A / 1K0615301AJ
Splash shield left 5Q0 615 311 F
Splash shield right 5Q0 615 312 F


For 340mm swap, you will need:
Left Caliper 3C0615123 (silver, zinc plated version)
Right Caliper 3C0615124 (silver, zinc plated version)
Caliper Carrier Left 3Q0615125 (silver one)
Caliper Carrier Right 3Q0615126 (silver one)
Brake pads 8V0698151C / 5Q0698151AJ
Brake rotor 5Q0615301G (Blank) / 5Q0615301C (2-piece drilled OEM from clubsport)/ 5Q0615301P (2-piece blank OEM from T-roc R)
Splash shield left 5Q0615311F
Splash shield right 5Q0615312F


(Splash shields for 314mm are the same as for 340mm rotor, but if someone, for some reason change them from 312mm, i think that 312 splash shields with some minor “improvements” should fit, as is only 2mm difference
I won’t put every color caliper + caliper carrier cuz there are so many variants available (GTI,Clubsport s, Cupra in red/black, Golf R, S3,etc.)




345x30mm (57mm Piston, sliding caliper) (FNR-G)

This is a caliper used on the PQ platform, most notably on golf R and 6cyl TT 8J. They have very “beefy” design, so if someone is looking for looks more than performance, it might be an option instead of TRW C60 from MQB cars with “stock-ish” look (especially in non-painted version without front plate C60 have very “stock” look)

For this swap you need:
Left Caliper 8P0615123A
Right Caliper 8P0615124A
Caliper spring 1K0615269B x2
Caliper Carrier 8E0615125C x2 (Seems to be symmetrical for this caliper)
Brake pads 8J0698151F
Brake rotor 1K0615301M
Splash shield left 1K0615311C
Splash shield right 1K0615312C

Splash shields, afaik, don't work between PQ and MQB, so the best option is to use 340mm splash shields from TRW C60 calipers and “tune them” a little. Dunno nothing about differences in brake lines and other stuff needed for swap. Honestly, I did non made very good research about this swap for now. If I find more info or someone can share info about this swap on MQB platform, I will add info




335x30mm or 356x34 (43+45mm 2 piston sliding caliper)

Same drill as before with TRW PC57 and C60. Same caliper, different caliper carrier. Smaller one is from VW Atlas, bigger one from Mk8 GTI clubsport/ R


For 335mm you well need:
Left Caliper 3QF615123A
Right Caliper 3QF615124A
Caliper Carrier Left 3QF615125A
Caliper Carrier Right 3QF615126A
Brake pads 3QF698151E (in ETKA, there is information about some bolt with harmonic damper that may be needed, no. WHT001921 , one per caliper, mounted as lower bolt)
Brake rotor 3QF615301F
Splash shield left 3QF615311A
Splash shield right 3QF615312A


For 356mm you well need:
Left Caliper 5WA615123C
Right Caliper 5WA615124C
Caliper Carrier Left 5WA615125C
Caliper Carrier Right 5WA615126C
Brake pads 5WA698151M (No information about bolt with harmonic damper that may be needed, unlike 335 version)
Brake rotor 5WA615301A
Splash shield left 5WA615311A
Splash shield right 5WA615312A

Calipers+carriers either red or blue, hard to tell, only PR code 1LK,1LM available in ETKA
Second color variant have D letter instead of C in Caliper and Carrier number (number is the same, only letter change)




338x30mm (TTS caliper) (ATE)

Pretty popular, OEM brake swap, available in 3 colors (unpainted gray, red with TTS stamp, black with TTS stamp) More info can be found here:
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/macan-vs-tts-callipers.366204/

For this swap you need:
Left Caliper 8S0615107G (black) / 8S0615107B (unpainted) / 8S0615107H (red)
Right Caliper 8S0615108G (black) / 8S0615108B (unpainted) / 8S0615108H (red)
Brake pads 8S0698151G
Pad wear sensor 8S0615121A
Brake rotor 8S0615301
Splash shield left 8S0 615 311 / 8S0615311D (described in ETKA as “with venting”)
Splash shield right 8S0615312 / 8S0615312D (described in ETKA as “with venting”)
Brake Lines 8S0611701B

In this swap, 338mm rotor is only available as OEM, but 340x30mm rotors from 60mm caliper brake swap works like a charm, same goes with splash shields (340mm splash shields works perfectly, so no need to change if you doing swap from 340mm sliding caliper swap)





370x32mm (Cupra Brembo 4 pot/ TTRS Mk2) (Brembo)

In Europe, Seat Leon Cupra MK3 (MQB) received optional, 4pot Brembo from past generation TTRS (8J / 2nd gen). User scrllock made very nice thread about this swap, to not repeat the info, I just put the link to guide:

https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/ttrs-brembo-upgrade-info.392933/

As supplementary info, i will add number parts for calipers from Leon Cupra and dedicated splash shields and brake lines for this brakes, for people that like to use OEM parts in swaps (because is factory “retrofit” from old, PQ platform to newer MQB):

For 370mm you well need:
Caliper left 5F0 615 105 (black) / 5F0073910D (red)
Caliper right 5F0 615 106 (black) / 5F0073910E (red)
Splash shield left 5F0615311
Splash shield right 5F0615312
Brake lines 5F0611701




370x34mm ( 8pot TTRS Mk3/ RS3 8V) (Brembo)

The biggest OEM brakes available on MQB platform, from RS3 8V / TTRS 8S and only OEM Ceramic option for MQB also. Painted red, black (for steel rotor) or silver (for ceramic rotor) Caliper can be from either TTRS or RS3, but brake rotor must be from TTRS, RS3 rotor have different offset and cannot be used

For 370mm you well need:
Left Caliper 8V0615107D (black) / 8V0615107C (red) / 8V0615107E (silver for ceramic rotor)
Right Caliper 8V0615108D (black) / 8V0615108C (red) / 8V0615108E (silver for ceramic rotor)
Brake pads 8V0698151P (steel rotor) / 8V0698151L (ceramic rotor)
Brake rotor 8S0615301A 8S0615302A (L+R ceramic) / 8S0615301L (steel rotor)
Splash shield left 8S0615311F (TTRS) / 8V0615311B (RS3)
Splash shield right 8S0615312F (TTRS) / 8V0615312B (RS3)
Brake Lines 8V0611701


375x36mm ( 6pot CUPRA Formentor VZ5 / RSQ3 F3) (Akebono)

AFAIK the biggest MQB”evo” (MK8 golf and siblings) steel brakes. Interesting thing is that the brake rotor part number starts from 4M0, that means it’s from Q7 4M. If the rotor from Q7 fits P&P, maybe there is a possibility for some Q7 OEM+ brake swaps? If so, Akebono's 350x34mm, 375X36MM, 400X38MM and 420x40mm Ceramic Q7 swaps are theoretically possible. But different number of caliper can suggest that there are some differences. Maybe only the painting with RS logo, or maybe bolt spacing?

For 375mm you well need:
Left Caliper 5FF615123 (Copper from Cupra) / 83A615107A (RSQ3 Black)/ 83A615107B (RSQ3 Red)
Right Caliper 5FF615124 (Copper from Cupra) / 83A615108A (RSQ3 Black)/ 83A615108B (RSQ3 Red)
Brake pads 83A698151B
Brake wear sensor 83A615121
Brake rotor 4M0 615 301 BJ
Splash shield left 83A615311
Splash shield right 83A615312
Brake Lines 83A611707B

380x38mm ( 8pot Ceramic RSQ3 F3) (Brembo)

AFAIK the biggest MQB”evo” (MK8 golf and siblings) ceramic brakes.

For 380mm you well need:
Left Caliper 83A615107 (Grey) / 83A615107C (Red) / 83A615107D (Blue)
Right Caliper 3A615108 (Grey) / 83A615108C (Red) / 83A615108D (Blue)
Brake pads 4S0698151AD
Brake wear sensor 83A615121A (Right) / 83A615121B (Left)
Brake rotor 83A615301D (Left) / 83A615302D (Right)
Splash shield left 83A615311
Splash shield right 83A615312
Brake Lines 8V0611701

 

[Jachas]

OEM + Brake Swaps


312x25/314x30mm/320x30 (Ate 4 pot caliper a4 b9)

Brake swap with use of calipers similar to TTS calipers, but from A4/A5 B9, A6/A7 C8 , Q5 FY built on MLBevo platform. It doesn't fit a 340mm rotor like TTS caliper, because it has closer mounting points (closer to the caliper), on MQB fits to smaller rotors than on MLBevo cars. Important info about these calipers is that these calipers are produced in two versions, 318mm and 338mm (sizes on MLB cars). As they're monoblocks, they must have fixed mounting points, making the 318mm version too small to swap on MQB. Swap not that popular like Macan caliper, because of smaller rotor, and lack of top loading pads for quick change of pads, makes it unattractive for AutoX/track day use, but looks good and because it is smaller, potentially allows use of 16’ wheels.
This swap have its dedicated thread on forum:
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...4-4-piston-calipers-on-mk7-gti-non-pp.370833/

Left 338mm caliper: 8W0615107A / 8W0615107E / 8W0615107C / 8W0615107AA (factory painted in red)
Right 338mm caliper: 8W0615108A / 8W0615108E / 8W0615108C / 8W0615108AA (factory painted in red)
Dust shields from 312 is the most obvious choice, but for ambitious people, the 314/340mm dust shields are also some option
Brake line: Custom brake lines like in thread about this swap, but i found info that you can change banjo bolt on the stock brake line for M10 banjo bolt (17-18mm length of the banjo bolt),to allow reuse stock brake line, but for the moment, this info is not confirmed 100% (I found on russians forum where this swap is somewhat popular, that they use old brake lines, but all swap was made on older, PQ platform cars, so for 99% should work on MQB cars, but I didn't found information confirming this on MQB platform
Rotors: On this forum people that were making this swap are using 320x30mm rotors from A4B8, but they seem to have fitment issues with this rotor. The 314x30mm (numbers 5QF615301A/1K0615301AJ), at least on paper, should work better in this case, without pad overhang, and a better centered rotor to pads in the caliper. But the same case as with brake lines, info from russian forum that made that swap on PQ platform
Brake Pads: OE from A4 B9 with cut the harmonic dampers on the on the inner brake pad from A4B9 pads (or dust shield trimming instead), or pads for TTS caliper (But TTS caliper has harmonic damper on the caliper, A4B9 has harmonic dampers on pads instead, so, mounting TTS pads on A4B9 caliper potentially can have NVH issues in my opinion)




314x30mm (Brembo 4 pot caliper Q5 FY)

Searching info about ATE calipers from A4/A5 B9, I found out that in Q5 FY (2nd gen) audi offers the same 338mm rotors used with ATE calipers, but with Brembo 4 pot calipers instead. I didn't find too much info about this swap, but potentially, it fits the same way like ATE calipers from the same platform (314x30mm discs, modified banjo bolt/different brake lines? / dust shields trimming?)

This swap is for now theoretical, because I have no info about this swap done on MQB platform, but I put info about this swap, so maybe someone brave wants to do this swap

Brembo monobloc calipers OE numbers
left: 80A615107 / 80A615107A / 80A615107N (factory painted in red) / 80A615107P (factory painted in red)
right: 80A615108 / 80A615108A / 80A615108N (factory painted in red) / 80A615108P (factory painted in red)





345x30mm(312x25mm/314x30mm possible?) (Macan/Q5 8R Caliper)

Very popular swap on MBQ cars, the caliper is top load, using 340/345x30mm rotors and multiple pads from many makes and models. All about this swap you can find in thread made by GTIfan99, so go and check it out if you are interested:
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...brembo-upgrade-thread-read-first-post.371028/

I think is worth to mention that this caliper style was also available in Q5 8R for 320x30mm rotor, so there is a possibility that this caliper works with 312x25mm or with 314x30mm rotors from MQB platform, and be aware of that fact looking for used calipers (in thread linked above you can find how to differentiate them)


356x34mm(Floating 2Pot Teves FNR 42 AL) (A6 C7 V6TFSI Caliper)

ATE 2pot caliper from A6C7, somewhat popular as swap to A4 B8 cars, especially S4B8 from stock 1pot to this 2 pot. unknown if this caliper would fit to the same size rotor (then MK8R rotor would fit to MQB cars or 358x30mm id4 as cheaper option. But if it is the same case as B9 calipers, which on MLB knuckle it fits larger rotor when swapped to MQB, and we keep the same relation of size difference (B9 338mm vs 314mm on MQB), then we would need 332mm rotor. The closest OEM/OE rotor of this size for MQB's is 335x30mm rotor from Atlas

Left Caliper 4G0615123B / 4G0615123E
Right Caliper 4G0615124B / 4G0615124E
Caliper Carrier 4H0615125
Brake pads 4G0698151M
Brake wear sensor 4G0615121D
Brake rotor 3QF615301F (Atlas 335x30mm) / 5WA615301A (MK8 R 356x34mm) / 1EA615301B (ID4 358x30mm)

If someone can source these calipers cheap, I think is worth to try

312x25mm (Boxster caliper)

User patarch made simple guide about this swap


It requires custom mounting brackets, so for people looking for full OEM / OEM +, might be a "no go" option

 

[Jachas]

(Reserved for possible future updates)

 

[DerHase]

358x30mm VW ID.4 rotors I think are worth looking into. I'd like to see these utilized with some custom brackets to take a more common caliper. They're 2 piston but the piston volume is WAY wrong (way too large) from the little research I've done. With 2mm titanium shims (to take up extra space and ensure the caliper can't be over-extended) they might be a cheap way to utilize the MK8R calipers and pads without the idiotic cast 2pc drilled design of the MK8.

Honestly I'd be curious to see if a (safe) custom bracket could be made to utilize the regular MK7 PP calipers. I've checked and it would fit under my 17x9 Apex wheels easily.

Rotors:
https://parts.vw.com/p/Volkswagen_2021_ID4/Disc-Brake-Rotor/98442474/1EA615301B.html

Caliper:
https://parts.vw.com/p/Volkswagen_2021_ID4/Disc-Brake-Caliper/98450974/1EA615124B.html

They're also used on the Q4 e-Trons.

 

[Jachas]

Cars on MEB platform (ID3/4/5/7 Q4-etron), seems to have 340x27mm rotors with 60mm piston sliding caliper, or 358x30mm rotors with 2x46mm pistons sliding caliper. In EU spec. ID Buzz, apart from 358x30mm option, there is even bigger, 382x30mm rotor with 2x48mm pistons sliding caliper. Bolts for mounting caliper carrier to knuckle on MEB is M14, the same like in ours MQB cars, so if the holes for mounting caliper carrier (distance between them) also is the same, calipers could be mounted on MQB . Questions about the rotors for this calipers (like A4 B9 calipers uses 338mm rotors, but mounted on MQB is for around +-314mm rotor), and if rotors form ID's will fit to MQB are still open (I couldn't find 358x30mm rotors spec like height, centering ring, etc. on internet, in ELSA/ERWin neither) BTW, ID Buzz MC is 26,99mm in size (I couldn't find info on MC size in ID3/4/5) and all front brakes on MEB cars are made by Hitachi Astemo.


VW Multivan T7 seems to have 2x49mm pistons sliding caliper, with 303x28mm rotor or 332x30mm rotor. And T7 multivan may be build on MBQ Evo platform (Golf 8, A3 8Y, and others never VAG cars), but the caliper carrier are mounted to knuckle with M16 bolts, so mounting this calipers to MQB cars it's not gonna be plug&play

358x30mm VW ID.4 rotors I think are worth looking into. I'd like to see these utilized with some custom brackets to take a more common caliper. They're 2 piston but the piston volume is WAY wrong (way too large) from the little research I've done. With 2mm titanium shims (to take up extra space and ensure the caliper can't be over-extended) they might be a cheap way to utilize the MK8R calipers and pads without the idiotic cast 2pc drilled design of the MK8.

Honestly I'd be curious to see if a (safe) custom bracket could be made to utilize the regular MK7 PP calipers. I've checked and it would fit under my 17x9 Apex wheels easily.

Rotors:
https://parts.vw.com/p/Volkswagen_2021_ID4/Disc-Brake-Rotor/98442474/1EA615301B.html

Caliper:
https://parts.vw.com/p/Volkswagen_2021_ID4/Disc-Brake-Caliper/98450974/1EA615124B.html

They're also used on the Q4 e-Trons.

As always, someone need to be guinea pig to test some of the theories and share the results

 

[golfdave]

I always recommend looking at weights of calipers & discs, as going bigger in most of the caliper swaps you mention will increase the unsprung weights....

This is what its best to look for the lighter weight OEM 4 piston calipers when using 340mm discs, as the single (60mm MK7) & the twin piston (MK8) weigh quite a bit!!

 

[khail19]

345x30mm(312x25mm/314x30mm possible?) (Macan/Q5 8R Caliper)

Very popular swap on MBQ cars, the caliper is top load, using 340/345x30mm rotors and multiple pads from many makes and models. All about this swap you can find in thread made by GTIfan99, so go and check it out if you are interested:
https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/inde...brembo-upgrade-thread-read-first-post.371028/

I think is worth to mention that this caliper style was also available in Q5 8R for 320x30mm rotor, so there is a possibility that this caliper works with 312x25mm or with 314x30mm rotors from MQB platform

Just want to add, be careful looking for used Q5 calipers. The calipers are very similar looking between the 320mm and 340mm options, and the 320mm calipers seem to be much easier to find and cheaper.

 

[scrllock]

As an addition to the 340mm options:

5Q0615301P​

2-piece, non-drilled 340x30mm from the T-Roc R. Symmetrical vaning unlike the CSS rotors.

Thank you for providing the Cupra splash shield part numbers. I'll try to get a hold of a set and add to my guide.

 

[Jachas]

I always recommend looking at weights of calipers & discs, as going bigger in most of the caliper swaps you mention will increase the unsprung weights....

This is what its best to look for the lighter weight OEM 4 piston calipers when using 340mm discs, as the single (60mm MK7) & the twin piston (MK8) weigh quite a bit!!

If someone is looking for performance, every kilo of unsprung weight matters, but for daily driven car, if someone is looking for bling? And there are OEM options, so if the aren't perfect, at least they should be safe enough, and all sliding caliper (or most of them) doesn't require spacers on OEM wheels, where most OEM(+) aluminium 4pots does

Just want to add, be careful looking for used Q5 calipers. The calipers are very similar looking between the 320mm and 340mm options, and the 320mm calipers seem to be much easier to find and cheaper.

I added extra info on that (and if you remember the page on macan thread where this was explained, I will add that too)

As an addition to the 340mm options:

5Q0615301P​

2-piece, non-drilled 340x30mm from the T-Roc R. Symmetrical vaning unlike the CSS rotors.

Thank you for providing the Cupra splash shield part numbers. I'll try to get a hold of a set and add to my guide.

Very nice find with that rotors! Added to the list

 

[scrllock]

If someone is looking for performance, every kilo of unsprung weight matters, but for daily driven car, if someone is looking for bling? And there are OEM options, so if the aren't perfect, at least they should be safe enough, and all sliding caliper (or most of them) doesn't require spacers on OEM wheels, where most OEM(+) aluminium 4pots does



I added extra info on that (and if you remember the page on macan thread where this was explained, I will add that too)



Very nice find with that rotors! Added to the list

Are those shields for 340mm or 370mm rotors?

 

[golfdave]

If someone is looking for performance, every kilo of unsprung weight matters, but for daily driven car, if someone is looking for bling? And there are OEM options, so if the aren't perfect, at least they should be safe enough, and all sliding caliper (or most of them) doesn't require spacers on OEM wheels, where most OEM(+) aluminium 4pots does

Reducing unsprung weight helps handling, & 4 pot calipers can have less maintenance problems compared to the basic sliding fist type. My 17inch alloys with a almost OEM offset will clear most big brake kits due to their dished out spokes as they are designed for that purpose as a rally style wheel...

 

[Jachas]

Are those shields for 340mm or 370mm rotors?

You mean:

Splash shield left 5F0615311
Splash shield right 5F0615312

If so, then yes. They are from SEAT Leon Cupra with sub8 package that had the same caliper as TTRS 8J, and was adopted by SEAT to MQB platform and they made specific, "TTRS 8J caliper ready" 370mm splash shield for MQB knuckle

Reducing unsprung weight helps handling, & 4 pot calipers can have less maintenance problems compared to the basic sliding fist type. My 17inch alloys with a almost OEM offset will clear most big brake kits due to their dished out spokes as they are designed for that purpose as a rally style wheel...

I'm not trying to say that unsprung weight is not important. Different people can have different needs, and maybe doesn't want to hassle with spacers. I just tried to document all possible variations of front caliper/rotor for MQB platform, so every one if wants change size of front brakes, could choose what best suits their needs

 

[Stanislao]

Does anyone tried id4 carrier with gti performance caliper and 358mmx30mm rotors. That would be a cool and cheap upgrade.

 

[Jachas]

Well, speaking of calipers and caliper carriers in MEB platform, I had opportunity today to see ID Buzz cargo, on 18' steelies, (18x8 ET45) from underneath and I took photos of knuckle from inside + measurements of caliper carrier to knuckle (around 14,5cm) and caliper to caliper carrier (around 21,5cm).
That ID Buzz had exactly the same brakes as ID's with more powerful engine (150kW +) so:
Rotor 358x30 1EA615301B
Calipers 1EA615123B 1EA615124B
Caliper carrier 1EA615125B x2


Now we need someone brave enough to buy and test fit this set

 

[Stanislao]

Well, speaking of calipers and caliper carriers in MEB platform, I had opportunity today to see ID Buzz cargo, on 18' steelies, (18x8 ET45) from underneath and I took photos of knuckle from inside + measurements of caliper carrier to knuckle (around 14,5cm) and caliper to caliper carrier (around 21,5cm).
That ID Buzz had exactly the same brakes as ID's with more powerful engine (150kW +) so:
Rotor 358x30 1EA615301B
Calipers 1EA615123B 1EA615124B
Caliper carrier 1EA615125B x2


Now we need someone brave enough to buy and test fit this set

1EA615301B
FOR AUDI Q4 e-tron VW ID.4 ID.5 CROSS DRILLED FRONT BRAKE DISCS PAIR 358mm

Front Brakes Setup:
Brake Disc Type: High Carbon | Vented
Brake Disc Diameter: 358mm
Brake Disc Thickness: 30mm
Brake Disc Minimum Thickness: 28mm
Centering Diameter: 65mm
Height: 50mm


basically the same as a golf rotor only larger.
so only check if the caliper carrier fit 60mm caliper.