Brakes??
 

hello, i was wondering if anyone knows the spec for brake discs and pads for a s40 2.0l D 56 plate? i think the front discs are 300mm and rear 278mm and i have no idea about the pads. can anyone give me an insight to the correct sizes? thanks you.

I believe the rears are the same throughout the model line up.
The front discs can be one of three sizes.
278 / 300 / 320

I believe the 320mm are the T5 model.
The rest will depend on the size of wheels fitted to the car when ordered new.
17" wheels on the stock car did favour the 300mm discs and 15/16" wheels had the 278mm discs.

Ultimately, there is not substitute to measuring the discs diameter!

As for replacement brands, try to stretch to Volvo genuine parts for the following reasons,
the hub of the disc is painted and will look nicer over time (OE versions rust and look old very quickly)
Genuine Volvo parts are better engineered :-)

As for pads, most will squeak except the Volvo pads. I have EBC and they're awful....please avoid them!!

Rgds
Jason.

I'd second that. Don't touch EBC with the proverbial stick. I had red stuff pads which were dreadful and the discs warped.

Some S40 T5's have 300mm (like mine) although mine came with 17" wheels which may explain it :)

From when ive read the only ones that came with the 320 discs were the 4wd versions 320 up front and 300mm at the rear, most s40s are 300mm front, same parts as a focus. for some reason on the c30 however most comes with 278mm, only he t5, 2.4i and d5's have 300mm discs. i think you need the 18 inch wheels to clear the 320mm's calipers.
only reason i know is ive been looking into a possible brake conversion for my c30 using bits from a focus ST which should just be bolt on with no mods since we run ford hubs and spindles which are used on all models of focus, but you need to replace every thing caliper, carrier, discs and pads, and they recommend braded lines too.

I know this subject has been touched upon in other posts but can you use Ford brake pads if as you say they are the same brakes - would it be cheaper to buy new pads from Ford (albeit they are the same manufacturer)?

I noticed when painting my calipers, the sizes are stamped on. I have a 2.0D 05 Plate with the 18" alloys on and the front had 300 stamped in and the rear had 280 stamped in...

not sure if this helps as you would have to take the wheel off to check but its a quick 5 min job.

I am sure that the following was in the sales books for my 2009 V50.

280mm Front Discs 1.6D, 1.6 & 1.8 petrol
300mm Front Discs 2.0D 2.0 petrol
320mm Front Discs D5 & T5.

Kind of figures really more power equals bigger brakes.

As for upgradeing the stock brakes no need really their darn good as thay are, as for a cheaper option then it is a very strong possability that ford focus parts are identicle & may be slightly cheaper.