Re: Winter tires and rotors/pads

["Peter Loron" <peterl@cnw.com>]

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Boyer <email@domain.com>
To: JettaGLX list <jettaglx@igtc.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 1:03 PM
Subject: Winter tires and rotors/pads


> My Dunlops are almost bald, and now we have snow ... need winter tires.
>
> The local place suggested Pirelli Winter 210s (IIRC), which would run
> about $120 per tire. Sure, they might be nice tires, but that's
> definitely NOT the plan for some tires I'll be using for three or four
> months and that's it! They also suggested picking up a set of four
> cheapie 14" snow rims, which leaves me with more options as far as snow
> tires go. Not cheap, either, though.

Not sure you can go to 14" rims on the 95. There's no way 14" rims would fit
over the stock rotors on my 97.

[stuff deleted]

> On another topic, do any of you have recommendations for brake rotors and
> pads? Obviously, Mintex Redbox are the pads of choice. I have a '95 (July
> '94) GLX ... not positive what size my rotors are stock, but I know that
> they upgraded the size at some point between '95 and '96. Should I go
> with slotted? Drilled? Any idea what the maximum feasible diameter would
> be? Plus, what brands to stay away from?

Redbox are fine if you're looking for OEM replacement pads. If you want
something better for hard driving or lapping day use, check out the Ferodo
DS2000 pads (Mintex C-Tech is apparently similar).

I think the 94-95 GLXs used the 11" rotors. The newer cars have the 11.3".

If you go up from the stock rotor diameter, you will almost certianly need
new calipers and new wheels. Not worth the $$$$$ unless you really need
it...or had cash to burn. VW puts decent size rotors on the GLXs anyway. I
have Zimmerman crossdrilled rotors on my 97 with DS2000 pads. They're great
so far. Drilled or slotted can help under heavy breaking or rain, but they
may wear your pads faster.

-Pete

> Any advice would be welcome! TIA.
>
> -Tom Boyer
> '95 GLX (black/black, fast, fun, but slippery in the snow!)
>
> Zip-zap ... zip-zap ... it's Tom ... Tom Boyer ... cyng@lamere.net!
>          ... who cares?
>