Brake pads Carbotech or OEM Volvo
I've been to 20 track events to this day I'm still running OEM calipers. Just carbotech pads. You don't need a big brake kit at all. The oem cracks because of improper cooldown. I learned that after a session to take my cooldown lap seriously and ever since then i stopped cracking AutoZone rotors
I ran stock rotors for a long time with carbotech xp10/8, front brake ducts, stainless lines, and Motul 660. The XP10/8 + ducts was sufficient for 20min session the tracks I drive.
I'm using carbotech xp8 on my 3800 pound sedan. They've survived 6 days at the track plus occasional driving around town for a year.
For my 2016 V60 I only spend about $500. Also depending on your rotors and pads, there's no need to do both front and rear together.
I replaced the front pads myself after 25,000 miles (was 2 years ago), it cost me under $200, including all the necessary tools and original Volvo pads.
Hey, I track. MK7.5! The floating calipers flex which means you get more pressure on the outer half of the rotor. It's annoying but it's not a problem in my experience.
Something like a Carbotech XP12 pad might do better with the heat but adding brake ducts from the RS3 is cheap and will help quite a bit.
Girodisc should have a 357mm disc available when you've gone through the OE rotors. They're slotted instead of drilled and are 2 piece (aluminum hat).
I am currently using Carbotech XP10's in front and the XP8's for the rears. I really like them and have not had an issue so far. Plus the company has great customer service. They are definitely NOT a street pad, and I need to swap them the night before a track meet and put street pads on the day after, but the effort is worth it.
Volvo uses a softer compound. I think they call them comfort brakes or something? I would always get about 40k miles out of my pads on my XC90. I switched to an Acura MDX and got 140k miles out of my pads. Volvo brakes work really well but I’ve never had a set last really long time.
Canada here: paid around $700 CAD for rear brake pads and rotors at Canadian Tire back in May for my 2008 V70.
The brakes made of wet cardboard is the only disappointment I have with my 2020 XC90.
Write your review
Help others - share your experience with this part.