TheSamba.com :: View topic - Golf Mk7 2018-2019 brake issues

Mon Dec 23, 2024 12:01 am

Looking for a used Mk-VII Golf in the 3 to 7 years old range.

Edmunds reviews of MYs 2018 and 2019 spotlight very touchy brakes: "... brake pedal feel imparts the sensation that you are learning to use the brakes for the first time, every time. ... There's bite from the brakes when you initially press the pedal but little effectiveness as you gradually increase pressure. Combined with a lack of feedback from the pedal, it makes it difficult to stop smoothly."

I test drove a 2019 recently and it does indeed have such a weird brake feel.

Anyone know of a fix for this? Perhaps different pads and/or rotors? Or is this a "feature" of the system for those two years?

Note: I am an air-cooled VW and Porsche guy, never owned a water-cooled VW. As this is overwhelmingly an air-cooled forum, is there a really good Golf forum out there anyone could recommend?
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Tue Dec 24, 2024 5:08 pm

brians356 wrote: this is overwhelmingly an air-cooled forum ...

QED

Fri Dec 27, 2024 8:13 pm

My nephew has an '18 GTI. I asked him about the brakes, and he looked at me rather puzzled and said, "No, I have had nothing like that."

I would go to a service manager at a dealer and ask him/her about your experiences and whether swapping GTI brakes may help. I would also ask price if you're not a DIYer because I can't imagine that would be an inexpensive fix.

Fri Dec 27, 2024 11:03 pm

oasis wrote: My nephew has an '18 GTI. I asked him about the brakes, and he looked at me rather puzzled and said, "No, I have had nothing like that."

Good stuff, thanks. I'm not sure but the GTI could have a different brake setup than a base Golf. I will drop by the VW dealer and try to find a tech who will open the kimono.

That said, a youngster who didn't grow up on a lot of older cars (I'm 69), and who is an aggressive Hot Hatch driver might not realize that his brakes are unusually bitey. In fact a Car and Driver reviewer who seemed performance-oriented praised the brakes of the Golf S. It's subjective, but the Edmunds reviewers and I share the same perception.
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