***Definitive 147/156 GTA brake upgrade thread***

Well, after a quick investigation by Piccadily they agreed that my brakes were warped and passed it on to Alfa who suggested that i replace the front discs and pads with genuine parts (costing @£470 fitted). If the problem recurred within six months they would then investigate further. To cut a long story short after much discussion they agreed to cover 1/2 the cost of the upgrade, which i consider to be a good result, as my car was just coming up to 4 years old at the time! Just have to sort the issue of the invoice out with Piccadily now!

do they warp based on size only? or is it oem ones in 305 that are known to warp?

asking since ive apperantly got a 305mm set and im waiting for a tar-ox setup. If the warping has to do with size than il cancell my order and go for a completly different setup... any able to help me out in this matter?

is it size+oem that warp or is the reason because of the size only?

I don"t know for any case in Croatia, that dealer change original and put kit brakes for free...

but I put some pictures in GTV thread,,, with custom made brakes, so you can look if you are interested...

Originally Posted by Zeggi

do they warp based on size only? or is it oem ones in 305 that are known to warp?

asking since ive apperantly got a 305mm set and im waiting for a tar-ox setup. If the warping has to do with size than il cancell my order and go for a completly different setup... any able to help me out in this matter?

is it size+oem that warp or is the reason because of the size only?

I dont know if anyone will knwo the answer 100%, but the standard 330mm disks are the same design as the standard 305's, & the pistons arent any bigger in the calipers - just the calipers are physically bigger to go with the disks, so Id say its the size thats the issue.

I would say its size since for track use my (now jettisoned) 305mm would quickly go completely molten red in colour under braking.
The spectators thought it looked very spectacular

Cheers,
TB

oh, hahah nice answer Trailbraker

ukoldschool, yeah i guess it has to do with size and heating... cause according to my local garage they say it has to do with size and that the OEM discs get to warm, but a another disc, for example the tar-ox ones that have holes and is heat treated should do better...

so i guess im taking a risk right now..

thanks for the answers

My GTA was registered sept 03, done 34k now. Nearly 4 years old, out of warranty. I believe it has the 305mm brakes but will confirm 2moro.

Is there any chance at all of getting them upgraded by an alfa dealer? I realise its a long shot, but any opinions welcome

There is a chance you will get them FOC.
It often seams to be down to how cooperative the dealer concerned wants to be.
If you have a good relationship with your dealer then they will help push for it and you will be in luck. If the dealer can't be bothered to help then it will be down to you to push direct to Alfa UK for the upgrade.

i actually nearly killed myself with the 305's a week ago.

on a private track near our house i was coming up to a bend...put my foot on the pedal and all i hear is like a droning noise and not a lot of stopping power. its really scary approaching a bend and thinking your not gonna stop

just confirmed I have the 305mm brakes still on my GTA, as I checked the pictures of the calipers on the first post.

Read all through this topic about different opinions on 305 vs 330. Only had my GTA a few weeks, and I know what some of you mean now by can be dangerous. Had a scare with them on the weekend, the car just wouldn't stop as I thought, so going to try and get the upgrade asap.

I can't believe a car was sold, espcially a top of the range Alfa with brakes that do not work. When the GTA was released did none of the press pick up on it? - or were all press cars fitted with 330?

Does anyone still have copies of any old letters/emails sent to Alfa/dealers about the upgrade so I could include some more info

I called Alfa, they told me to take it in to my dealer (Piccadily) to confirm the problem (my discs were warped though - not sure if yours are?). Did this and was told to replace the standard discs and pads with the dealer and if there was a recurrence of the problem within six months they would consider an upgrade. I then spent alot of time on the phone to AR saying (based on the evidence on here) that this was a recognised issue, what was the point in paying for new discs/pads at vast expense (nearly £500 fitted) to then have to waste time going through the same again in six months etc, etc. I managed to convince them to go 50/50, which saw me paying @£600, so only really out of pocket by £100 (if i had followed their guidance). My car is also Sep 03, but has only done 17000miles - even so it is worth a try, but be prepared to get a little frustrated when you get passed from pillar to post on the phone...
Not sure if your 'zone manager' on that side of the pennines is the same as ours, but I am happy for you to site my case as precedent if required?

I know this reply is very late but i have resently Purchased My GTA which was registered in NOV 03, has covered 23500miles and has the 305 brakes. The previous owner has never had to change the brakes but told me he did try for an upgrade. Anyway Just wanted to say that im booked on the Alfa Track day at donington so fingers crossed. I'm clinging on to the idea that there was a faulty batch of disks!!

Sev.

Originally Posted by behrichards

I called Alfa, they told me to take it in to my dealer (Piccadily) to confirm the problem (my discs were warped though - not sure if yours are?). Did this and was told to replace the standard discs and pads with the dealer and if there was a recurrence of the problem within six months they would consider an upgrade. I then spent alot of time on the phone to AR saying (based on the evidence on here) that this was a recognised issue, what was the point in paying for new discs/pads at vast expense (nearly £500 fitted) to then have to waste time going through the same again in six months etc, etc. I managed to convince them to go 50/50, which saw me paying @£600, so only really out of pocket by £100 (if i had followed their guidance). My car is also Sep 03, but has only done 17000miles - even so it is worth a try, but be prepared to get a little frustrated when you get passed from pillar to post on the phone...
Not sure if your 'zone manager' on that side of the pennines is the same as ours, but I am happy for you to site my case as precedent if required?

ok thanks for the info, do you remember who you spoke to at Alfa?

where abouts are Piccadily based? I have tried county dealers in Carlisle where car was purchased new, and my nearest dealer Magnoletsi

Originally Posted by sgemmoni

I know this reply is very late but i have resently Purchased My GTA which was registered in NOV 03, has covered 23500miles and has the 305 brakes. The previous owner has never had to change the brakes but told me he did try for an upgrade. Anyway Just wanted to say that im booked on the Alfa Track day at donington so fingers crossed. I'm clinging on to the idea that there was a faulty batch of disks!!

Sev.

Be prepared for some hairy moments at the end of the Dunlop Straight, braking for the chicane
See you at Donny
Simon

Thanks Simon, Even though I have done quiet a few track days. I've not been to Donny!

Originally Posted by mysparan

ok thanks for the info, do you remember who you spoke to at Alfa?


where abouts are Piccadily based? I have tried county dealers in Carlisle where car was purchased new, and my nearest dealer Magnoletsi

Sorry, I chucked the list I had kept of all my calls out once I had had all the work done. You have to call the international AR customer no and they will keep putting you through to the relevant dept. I got messed about a bit to start with and had to register the issue three times before they were able to correctly identify my file, which was a bit frustrating. The people you wil speak to at AR (In my exp) have abolutely no tech knowledge, so you have so bear with them! They are pretty onside though and receptive to suggestions, I suggested the 50/50 split and a day later they agreed.


Piccadily is in Knaresborough, near Harrogate - so probably a bit of a trek for you I think?

Originally Posted by Pax

I went through 3 sets of standard discs and pads until I ground the last set of warped discs and fitted Ferodo DS2500 pads. Problems gone.

Since I am a little wiser than when I wrote the above:
Fitting DS2500 pads on the OEM 305mm discs will make them stand more abuse than with the OEM pads, but they will not stand enough = the discs will warp if you really push it.

DS2500 + aftermarket 305 discs = unknown to me too, but I would really like to know...

made a little progress with my case, basically my dealer needs to "diagnose" my "brake problem" first, before Alfa can act. But service manager at my dealer is very helpful and trying hard for me, so thats a plus point.

Guy at Magnoletsi tried to fob me off by replying "sorry this upgrade was fased out a few years ago" - until I replied, err the 147 GTA is only a few years old itself!!

so fingers crossed I can get somewhere, being realistic the 50/50 route looks likely in my case.

Hi,

does anyone can correct the reference in the first message of the topic ?

the mistake is on the calipers references :

Part numbers for 305 to 330mm conversion:
77362692 BRAKE PADS X1
77362676 CALIPER X1
77362677 CALIPER X1
51733051 BRAKE DISC X2
60693782 PIPE X1
60693783 PIPE X1
60693576 BRACKET X1
60693575 BRACKET X1

I've just ordered all these parts today evening.
I had a good discount 960€ instead of 1120€

Hello,

a little present


77362676 CALIPER X1
77362677 CALIPER X1

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/9486/1000243cy2.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1121/1000246xx8.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9277/1000247if7.jpg

77362692 BRAKE PADS X1

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7835/1000248wy4.jpg

51733051 BRAKE DISC X2

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9219/1000254cv1.jpg
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4037/1000255xp6.jpg
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/1015/1000256cg6.jpg

60693782 PIPE X1
60693783 PIPE X1

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/7351/1000249fh5.jpg

60693576 BRACKET X1
60693575 BRACKET X1

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5103/1000250di5.jpg

done

Hi Guys.

I have a 2006 model 147 GTA and I purchased it new with the mod already done. One thing that concerns me is that the brakes are very noisy. The dealer has taken the wheels off and cleaned the pads etc with the 20 000KM service but it still makes a noise. Any suggestions would be appreciated