Ceramic vs Semi-Metallic Brake Pads: Key Differences for European Cars
Explore the differences between ceramic vs semi-metallic brake pads for European street cars, including performance, noise, and temperature factors.
By Lee Shahin ·
Audi RS3 brake upgrades
54 brake upgrades for the 8Y Audi RS3 (2.5T inline-five) from 16 brands. Performance pads, rotors, lines and big brake kits.
Before you order
- Rotor and pad fitment depends on the brake package fitted to the car. Confirm rotor diameter on the retailer page.
- Big brake kits state a minimum wheel diameter.
- Brakes are safety-critical. Have installation checked by a qualified technician.
- Listings are read from the retailer's 8Y RS 3 (2.5T, quattro) category. Confirm engine, drivetrain and model year on the retailer page before ordering.
Brands on this page: 034Motorsport (10), EBC (5), Girodisc (5), Neuspeed (5), ECS (4), Brembo (3), Hawk (3), Motul (3), Pentosin (3), Racingline (3), iSWEEP (3), APR (2), ATE (2), Assembled By ECS (1), Emmanuele Design (1), Zimmermann (1).
Rotors (19)
034Motorsport · Part no. 034-301-2020
1-Piece Rear Brake Rotor Upgrade Kit - Pair (310mm X 22mm)
Geomet Anti-Corrosion Coating, CM-250 Special Alloy Designed Specifically To Reduce Warping from Hard Street Use
034Motorsport · Part no. 034-301-1017
2-Piece Floating Front Brake Rotor Upgrade Kit
Weighing approximately 28.0lbs, the lightweight design retains proper thermal mass in the rings and improves metallurgy
034Motorsport · Part no. 034-304-1017
Replacement Front Rotor Ring Set - Audi 8Y RS3
Replacement Rotor Ring and Hardware Set for 034-301-1017
Brembo · Part no. 09.D174.33
Front UV Coated Rotor 370x34mm
Brembo brake disc equivalent to the original with UV anti-corrosion treatment.
ECS · Part no. 053042LA01B-KT
2-Piece Lightweight Front Brake Rotors - Pair (374x36mm)
Our direct bolt-on, semi-floating slotted rotors outperform OEM with stronger braking and greater cooling capacity!
Retailer fitment note: For Vehicles Without Carbon Ceramic Brakes
ECS · Part no. 5Q0615601E-XS
Rear V5 Drilled & Slotted Brake Rotors - Set (310x22)
Precision manufactured for consistent stopping power during high performance driving. Featuring a matte black zinc coating for corrosion protection.
ECS · Part no. 5Q0615601E-S
Rear V5 Slotted Brake Rotors - Set (310x22)
Precision manufactured for consistent stopping power during high performance driving. Featuring a matte black zinc coating for corrosion protection.
Emmanuele Design · Part no. EMD-31022-PR
Rear Slotted Brake Rotors - Pair (310x22)
Upgrade your looks and performance with a set of slotted rotors!
Girodisc · Part no. A1-355
8Y Audi RS3 Iron Rotor Conversion 2-Piece Slotted Front Brake Rotors - Pair
Featuring Girodisc Slotted 2-Piece Rotors, simply replace the cast iron rotor when needed
Girodisc · Part no. A1-298
Front 2-Piece Brake Rotors - Pair (374x36mm)
A direct replacement for the OE disc, No modifications are necessary.
Girodisc · Part no. D1-216
Front Replacement Rings - 374mm
Replacement rotor rings for 374mm rotors
Girodisc · Part no. A2-179
Rear 2-Piece Slotted Brake Rotors - Pair (310x22)
Restore your vehicles stopping power with these two piece slotted rotors!
Girodisc · Part no. D2-171
Rear Replacement Rings - 310mm
Replacement rotor rings for 310mm rotors
Neuspeed · Part no. 9913LRKT
Rear 1-Piece Slotted Brake Rotors - Pair (310x22)
Coated with a high-temperature black coating, which enhances corrosion resistance and simplifies installation.
Neuspeed · Part no. 9913SL
Single Rear 1-Piece Slotted Brake Rotors - Left Only (310x22)
Coated with a high-temperature black coating, which enhances corrosion resistance and simplifies installation.
Neuspeed · Part no. 9913SR
Single Rear 1-Piece Slotted Brake Rotors - Right Only (310x22)
Coated with a high-temperature black coating, which enhances corrosion resistance and simplifies installation.
Racingline · Part no. VWR682000
Stage 2 Performance Rear Rotors - Pair (310x22)
Upgraded triple-groove slotted rotors to match front RacingLine BBK's
Racingline · Part no. VWR682001
Stage 3 Performance Two-Piece Rear Rotors - Pair (310x22)
Upgraded triple-groove slotted two piece rotors to match front RacingLine BBK's
Zimmermann · Part no. 5Q0615601E2KT
Rear Cross-Drilled Brake Rotors - Pair (310x22)
Zimmerman Sport drilled rotors deliver excellent braking performance!
Fluid (14)
ATE · Part no. SD0T51
ATE Brake Fluid Super DOT 5.1 - 1 Liter
A low viscosity fluid replacing DOT 4 fluid. Boiling point - Dry 265°C (509°F) / Wet 180°C (347°F)
ATE · Part no. SL6
SL6 Brake Fluid - 1 Liter
A low viscosity fluid replacing DOT 4 fluid. Boiling point - Dry 265°C (509°F) / Wet 175°C (347°F)
Brembo · Part no. 04816420
Brembo HTC 64T Brake Fluid
Brembo HTC 64T can handle high temperatures without loss of pedal feel
Brembo · Part no. L05010
DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid - 1 Liter
Offers higher wet boiling point than DOT 4 fluid
Hawk · Part no. HP520
HP520 Street Brake Fluid - 500ml
Made for high performance street specifications and handles a higher dry boiling point than a typical off the shelf brake fluid.
Hawk · Part no. HP600
HP600 Race Brake Fluid - 500ml
Made for race specifications and handles a higher dry boiling point than a typical off the shelf brake fluid.
Hawk · Part no. HP660
HP660 Race Brake Fluid - 500ml
Made for high performance race specifications and handles a higher dry boiling point than a typical off the shelf brake fluid.
Motul · Part no. 8070HC
DOT 5.1 Synthetic Brake Fluid - 500mL
Boiling point - Dry 272?C (522?F) / Wet 185?C (365?F)
Motul · Part no. 8069HC
RBF 600 Racing Brake Fluid - 500mL
Boiling point - Dry 312C (594F) / Wet 216C (421F)
Motul · Part no. 847205
RBF 660 Racing Brake Fluid - 500mL
Boiling point - Dry 325?C (617?F) / Wet 204?C (399?F)
Pentosin · Part no. 1244116
PENTOSIN Brake Fluid DOT 5.1 - 1L
Pentosin DOT 5.1 Class 7 Low Viscosity Brake Fluid. Ultra High-Performance Brake Fluid for hydraulic brake systems and clutch actuation in passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Pentosin · Part no. 1244204
PENTOSIN Brake Fluid DOT 5.1 - 5L
Pentosin DOT 5.1 Class 7 Low Viscosity Brake Fluid. Ultra High-Performance Brake Fluid for hydraulic brake systems and clutch actuation in passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Pentosin · Part no. 1204114
Super DOT4 Brake Fluid - 500mL
Boiling Point - Dry 265°C (509°F) / Wet >165°C (329°F)
Racingline · Part no. VWR69000BF1
RBF312 Racing Brake Fluid - 500ml
Highly refined Super DOT4 giving a significantly higher boiling point than a regular DOT5.1
Pads (10)
034Motorsport · Part no. 034-302-0026
034Motorsport Dynamic+ StreetSport Front Brake Pad Set
Semi-metallic pads that offer low dust and noise for comfortable everyday use, while delivering high friction, superior modulation, and exceptional stopping power!
034Motorsport · Part no. 034-3ZZ-0008
034Motorsport Titanium Brake Pad Shim Kit
Designed to reduce heat transfer between your brake pads and calipers, preventing brake fluid from overheating and fade during intense use.
EBC · Part no. DP52277NDX
Front BlueStuff Performance Brake Pads
Race inspired performance, NDX formula provides a great initial bite
EBC · Part no. DP32277C
Front RedStuff Performance Brake Pad Set
High performance street pad featuring Kevlar technology.
EBC · Part no. DP42277R
Front YellowStuff Performance Brake Pad Set
EBC's premium sport street pad that offers high friction levels and heat fade resistance
EBC · Part no. DP52295NDX
Rear Bluestuff Performance Brake Pad Set
Intermediate grade trackday pads for aggressive street driving and track use.
EBC · Part no. DP32438C
Rear RedStuff Performance Brake Pad Set
High performance street pad featuring Kevlar technology.
iSWEEP · Part no. IS.XXX.RR1553
Front ISWEEP Brake Pads - RS 3 8Y/S4/S5/RS 5/SQ5 B9
From low-dust daily driving to full race endurance, iSWEEP brake pads deliver precision-tuned compounds that give you the exact bite, control, and fade resistance your driving demands.
iSWEEP · Part no. IS.XXX.R1740
ISWEEP Front Brake Pad Set - MK8 Golf R & 8Y Audi S3 MQBe
Fits 357x34mm Vented Rotor
iSWEEP · Part no. IS.XXX.1718
ISWEEP Rear Brake Pad Set - Audi 8Y S3/RS3 & MK8 Golf GTI/R MQBe
Fits MQBevo 310mm Vented Rear Rotor
Brake Kits (9)
034Motorsport · Part no. 034-301-0018-DSO
034Motorsport Dynamic+ Braking Package - Stage 1
A staged upgrade package to optimize braking performance of the 8Y RS3.
034Motorsport · Part no. 034-301-0019-DSO
034Motorsport Dynamic+ Braking Package - Stage 2
A staged upgrade package to optimize braking performance of the 8Y RS3.
034Motorsport · Part no. 034-301-2012-BLU
2-Piece Floating Rear Brake Rotor Upgrade - Blue Carriers (355x22)
Reduces rotational weight by 1.5lb on each corner over the factory 15lb rotors, and increases rotor diameter from 310mm to 355mm!
034Motorsport · Part no. 034-301-2012-RED
2-Piece Floating Rear Brake Rotor Upgrade - Red Carriers (355x22)
Reduces rotational weight by 1.5lb on each corner over the factory 15lb rotors, and increases rotor diameter from 310mm to 355mm!
APR · Part no. BRK00069
Front 6-Piston Big Brake Kit - Grey
Features an upgraded 370x34mm rotor with 6-piston Calipers to deliver unrivaled stopping power!
APR · Part no. BRK00068
Front 6-Piston Big Brake Kit - Red
Features an upgraded 370x34mm rotor with 6-piston Calipers to deliver unrivaled stopping power!
Assembled By ECS · Part no. 053042LA-RPSKT
Performance Front Brake Service Kit
Featuring ECS 2-piece, semi-floating rotors & ECS EP24 "Enthusiast Performance" pads.
Retailer fitment note: For Vehicles Without Carbon Ceramic Rotors
Neuspeed · Part no. 99.10.51BL
2-Piece Floating Rear Slotted Brake Rotor Upgrade Kit - Blue (350x22)
Full floating rear rotor upgrade that utilizes factory calipers and increases rotor size without increasing weight!
Neuspeed · Part no. 99.10.51R
2-Piece Floating Rear Slotted Brake Rotor Upgrade Kit - Red (350x22)
Full floating rear rotor upgrade that utilizes factory calipers and increases rotor size without increasing weight!
Lines (2)
034Motorsport · Part no. 034-303-0024
Front & Rear Stainless Steel Braided Brake Line Kit
Replace your stock rubber brake hoses with these performance-minded stainless steel braided lines
ECS · Part no. 009477ECS01A
Rear Exact-Fit Stainless Steel Brake Lines - Red
Rear set of DOT-compliant lines for an improved pedal feel
Guides for this decision
Buying Guides
Drilled vs Slotted Rotors: Key Differences for Street and Track
Explore the differences between drilled vs slotted rotors for street and track use, helping you make an informed brake upgrade decision.
By Lee Shahin ·
Explore: Brakes & Brake Fluid
Modification & Performance Guides
European Car Brake Upgrades: Pads, Rotors and Street vs Track
Explore European Car Brake Upgrades, including pads, rotors, and the key differences between street and track options for your vehicle.
By Lee Shahin ·
Explore: Brakes & Brake Fluid · Modification & Performance Parts
Fluid & Specification Guides
DOT 4 vs. DOT 5.1: Choosing Brake Fluid for a European Car
Start with the vehicle’s specified fluid, then compare the product’s exact formulation, viscosity class and package size.
By Lee Shahin ·
Explore: Brakes & Brake Fluid
Fluid & Specification Guides · Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Brake Fluid: DOT 4 Plus & MB 331.0 Guide
Brake fluid sits at the center of every safety system in a Mercedes-Benz. It transmits pedal force to the calipers, activates ABS and ESP interventions, and operates under extreme thermal and pressure conditions.
By Lee Shahin ·
Explore: Brakes & Brake Fluid
More Audi RS3 parts
- Audi RS3 exhaust systems
- Audi RS3 downpipes
- Audi RS3 exhaust tips
- Audi RS3 intakes
- Audi RS3 charge pipes
- Audi RS3 tunes & engine software
- Audi RS3 intercoolers & charge cooling
- Audi RS3 turbochargers & turbo parts
- Audi RS3 fuel & ignition
- Audi RS3 cooling upgrades
- Audi RS3 engine & mounts
- Audi RS3 drivetrain
- Audi RS3 coilovers
- Audi RS3 lowering springs
- Audi RS3 suspension & chassis
- Audi RS3 wheel spacers & hardware
- Audi RS3 front lips & splitters
- Audi RS3 spoilers & wings
- Audi RS3 rear diffusers
- Audi RS3 exterior & aero
- Audi RS3 interior