Mazda 3 GT brakes: they suck?

[bhrm]

I don't get it. THe brakes suck compared to my family's VW Jetta (2000) VR6.

Even though I have PBR Ceramic pads and stock rotors on it, its supposed to be a bigger, heavier car with smaller brakes and the mazda 3 being 300lbs lighter with bigger brakes.

Brakes feel mushy and bleh. Its a bit of a concern as I battle 4 highways each day to get to work 80km each way....

anything i should look at? new pads?

My car is at 21,000km

[mogul_pro]

Look at to see if everything is working properly?

Or look at as in upgrades?

Lots of big brake kits available.. can't go wrong there. :)

[bhrm]

BBKs are excessive, although might come useful to avoid cell phone talking SUV drivers on the QEW.

[Malcolm991]

There has to be something wrong with your setup. I think I can speak for alot of people here by saying the brakes on these cars are decent brake system that lasts along time compared to what other car brands come equipped with

[mogul_pro]

Yea but compared to a VR6... may seem sloppy.. never know though if its bothering ya have it checked.

[doughboyr6]

maybe have the fluid flushed/bleeded?

[RallyPlaya]

Personally i believe the brakes on my 3 are amazing maybee cause im auto? Regardless first thing is chk ur breaks at a dealership ... Brakes are one of the most important aspects of a car make sure you fix that problem asap

[Mr. Dalvin]

Is your concern around how the brakes "feel" or are you finding that stopping distances are actually bad? I've found the brakes in our 3 to be quite good . . . and compared to our previous cars (BMW 3 series, Audi A4), they're definitely comparable (with MUCH less brake dust!). I just checked out the numbers in the latest motor trend comparo and it says the 60-0mph stopping distance for the 3 was 112 ft . . . a very good number.

If you're not happy . . . maybe have them checked out?

[Unoriginalusername]

better brake fluid
hawk pads
stainless steel braided brake lines

you're all set then

[MZR3]

did you buy the car new or used?

I'd suggest you to have the brake checked if you bought the car used, because I found the 3 GT's brake system is just as good as some of the Euros' (I had a Passat VR6 before the 3, and I have driven some of my friends' vdubs).

[Fuman]

stainless steel braided brake lines
SS lines is pretty pointless unless you track.
below is also a good read.
http://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/Brake_Lines

[bhrm]

time to visit a dealer...fun times.

i think i might need them re-bled, would that be covered under first year warranty?

I bought the car new.

i also have a 93 passat VR6 that stops fastest of all 3 cars, but it has Williams auto-x grade brake pads. whiplash inducing.

thanks for all the tips everyone!

[Unoriginalusername]

i also have a 93 passat VR6 that stops fastest of all 3 cars, but it has Williams auto-x grade brake pads. whiplash inducing.


gee no wonder, what a fair comparision lol

[bhrm]

i had an "oh shit" moment today on the 404 and glad to say the brakes did its job.

I think its a brake boost pedal feel thing. Its not as stiff/responsive as VWs.

[tinythetiger]

I think it's just a feel thing. I can say there's a huge difference between an E90 brake feel where you tap it and it pastes your face to the windshield and the mazda 3 GT where the first time i drove it i found myself pushing the pedal pretty deep for stopping power. once you get used to it though, the GT's brakes are fine (I had to panic brake from 100kmh on the highway when a car merged in front of me from a virtual standstill and it did the job), it's just that they won't have the same "instant" stopping power as euros, but have a more gradual and i guess a more easily controllable feel.

[Flagrum_3]

I've driven a shitload of different cars, its' a hobby of mine:chuckle ...and all I have to say is the MZ3 brakes are one of the finest out there, feel, linearity, stopping distance etc;etc; they were one of the reasons I choose the 3.And I think the specs speak for themselfs.Honestly a great brake package for the money....imho.


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[TheProfessor]

I've driven a shitload of different cars, its' a hobby of mine:chuckle ...and all I have to say is the MZ3 brakes are one of the finest out there, feel, linearity, stopping distance etc;etc; they were one of the reasons I choose the 3.And I think the specs speak for themselfs.Honestly a great brake package for the money....imho.


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I totally agree! I've driven a lot of cars, many of which are more expensive than the MZ3 and have to say that the MZ3's brakes are really quite good.

[bhrm]

I think I'm just too used to the instant brake feel.

the brakes on the passat are so powerful they could cause accidents for tail gaters. I had someone swerve off the road because i braked too hard when i got cut off.

but of course, when the time comes for new pads and rotors, going for some extra power, maybe PBR ceramics again and ATE powerdiscs.

[Wild Weasel]

I think it's just a feel thing. I can say there's a huge difference between an E90 brake feel where you tap it and it pastes your face to the windshield

I'll never forget driving a 3-series for the first time. My boss at the time had a new one as a loaner when his was in the shop. He gave me the keys and said I could take it for a spin.

It was parked on a slight incline, nose-down. It was an auto.

I started it up and put it in reverse. Then, when it started to roll slightly forward I pressed the brake and damn near put my face through the windshield. :chuckle

Of course, that sensitivity doesn't necessarily make it any better, but it sure as hell was a different feel!!

[Flagrum_3]

I'll never forget driving a 3-series for the first time. My boss at the time had a new one as a loaner when his was in the shop. He gave me the keys and said I could take it for a spin.

It was parked on a slight incline, nose-down. It was an auto.

I started it up and put it in reverse. Then, when it started to roll slightly forward I pressed the brake and damn near put my face through the windshield. :chuckle

Of course, that sensitivity doesn't necessarily make it any better, but it sure as hell was a different feel!!

I found the brakes on my 3 very touchy when they were brand new also, so it doesn't really tell you anything.....After 70k though, on original oem's I can still brake with the best of them and the feel and modulation is still top notch...I'd still rate the brakes a 10 :)

And the beauty is I can upgrade the brakes to perform even better for about the same price as replacing the oems, now on that note I'd rate them an 11 out of 10 :chuckle



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[tinythetiger]

Exactly what I meant :P. It's even worse when you hit the gas first, and you have to dig pretty deep for response, and you expect something similar on the brakes and THUD! Faceplant on the windshield. Well actually, we should all be wearing seatbelts so... broken collarbone/ribcage.

I'll never forget driving a 3-series for the first time. My boss at the time had a new one as a loaner when his was in the shop. He gave me the keys and said I could take it for a spin.

It was parked on a slight incline, nose-down. It was an auto.

I started it up and put it in reverse. Then, when it started to roll slightly forward I pressed the brake and damn near put my face through the windshield. :chuckle

Of course, that sensitivity doesn't necessarily make it any better, but it sure as hell was a different feel!!