Our Top Recommended Big Brake Upgrade Kits For Your Volkswagen Jetta
The three Tarox kits in this catalogue do not say which generation of Jetta they fit. They say 1.8i GT and 1.8 GT. The one HiSpec kit says Mk2 and nothing else. That matters in practice: if you own a Mk3 Jetta, only the three Tarox options exist for your car in this range. Own a Mk2 and there is also a HiSpec entry point at £785 that opens the question up considerably.
Four kits from Tarox and HiSpec, covering 15 to 17 inch wheels and a price range from £785 to £2,280. Since then, Brembo have added kits for multiple Jetta generations, from the early 1.8t and VR6 through to the Mk5 and Mk6 GLI. The full Volkswagen Jetta range is on the site if you want to browse it raw. This page runs through each kit, what the disc construction and caliper choice means in practice, and which one makes sense for your car.
- Four kits from Tarox and HiSpec, plus Brembo kits covering the early 1.8t/VR6 and the Mk5 and Mk6 GLI
- HiSpec kit is listed for the Mk2 only; Tarox list by engine variant with no generation tag
- HiSpec 278mm uses a single-piece cast disc; every Tarox kit uses a two-piece floating disc
- All three Tarox kits include Corsa pads and braided hoses, fitted at the factory; HiSpec price pads and hoses separately
- Brembo kits are made to order in Italy at six to eight weeks; wheel clearance comes from the drawing on each product page
Three brands, three ways of building a brake kit
All three machine their own calipers from billet aluminium and build each kit to the car. Where they split on the Jetta is in the fitment description, the disc construction, and the lead time.
Tarox
Built at the factory in northern Italy. Calipers CNC machined from European billet alloy, hand assembled and individually tested. Discs heat treated and hand balanced to 0.05mm. All three Jetta kits use the B32 six-piston caliper and two-piece floating discs. They arrive complete, with vehicle specific braided hoses and Corsa pads already fitted. Caliper colours: black, red, blue, green or gold. Full compatibility with ABS and ESP stated.
HiSpec Motorsport
Machined in Dartford from 6082 T6 billet aluminium, calipers and pistons both. The Jetta kit is the Billet 4, a four-piston design with external boots to keep road grime out of the seals. It is made to order in up to 28 working days, with the caliper finished in your choice of black, red, blue, gold or silver. Pads and braided hoses are not included and are priced separately so you choose the compound.
Brembo
Made to order at Brembo's Italian factory at six to eight weeks from order. The Jetta range covers the early 1.8t and VR6 (323mm kit), the Mk2 and Mk3 specifically (313mm kits), and the Mk5 and Mk6 GLI (330mm GT-A through 365mm GT-R). Caliper families in ascending order: GT-A (two-piece caliper), GT-M (monobloc), GT-S (billet), GT-R (billet flagship). Disc face (cross-drilled or Type 3 slotted) at the same price; caliper colour set free at order time. Pads and hoses included. Wheel clearance: the A, B and C dimensions are in the clearance drawing on each product page; ring Cameron for the older 313mm and 323mm kits where drawings may not be published.
Which Jetta: the question before the kit
HiSpec list their kit for the Jetta Mk2 (1984 to 1992). The listing does not extend to the Mk3 or later. If you own a Mk3 Jetta, the HiSpec 278mm is not catalogued for your car and the three Tarox kits are what the range offers you.
Tarox list their three kits as “Jetta 1.8i GT” and “Jetta 1.8 GT” without a generation number. Their fitment covers 1.8-engined Jetta models, but the exact year range is not stated on the listing. If you own a Mk3 or a non-1.8 variant and want to confirm before ordering, we will check with Tarox directly. It is the conversation Cameron has before any Tarox kit is built, and it takes five minutes.
Wheel sizes: real numbers
A larger disc needs more wheel diameter to sit inside. The figures below are confirmed for each kit: HiSpec from their own published minimum, Tarox from Tarox’s per-kit fitment data.
| Kit | Disc | Minimum wheel |
|---|---|---|
| HiSpec 278mm Billet 4 | 278 x 24mm | 15 inch |
| Tarox 300mm Sport | 300 x 26mm | 16 inch |
| Tarox 318mm Sport | 318 x 24mm | 17 inch |
| Tarox 330mm Sport | 330 x 26mm | 17 inch |
| Brembo 313mm (Mk2 or Mk3 specific) | 313mm | Clearance drawing on each product page; ring Cameron with wheel make, model and offset |
| Brembo 323mm (1.8t, VR6) | 323mm | Clearance drawing on each product page; ring Cameron with wheel make, model and offset |
| Brembo GT-A 330mm (Mk5, Mk6 GLI) | 330mm | Clearance drawing on product page; GT-A caliper profile differs from the bigger 365mm kits |
| Brembo GT-M / GT-S / GT-R 365mm (Mk5, Mk6 GLI) | 365mm | Clearance drawing on product page; GT-R caliper needs more space than GT-M at the same disc |
HiSpec 278mm Billet 4: the Mk2 entry on original wheels
This is the only kit on this page with a single-piece disc. The HiSpec 278mm 1P uses a cast iron single-piece rotor, which is a simpler construction than the two-piece floating discs on every Tarox kit. Two-piece floating discs let the hat and the ring expand independently under heat, which is the advantage at sustained track temperatures. On a car used mainly on the road that distinction rarely comes into it.
The caliper is HiSpec’s Billet 4: a four-piston design machined from 6082 T6 billet aluminium with external boots that keep grime out of the seals. It is the standard HiSpec road caliper and a genuine step over the single-piston sliding calipers the Mk2 came with. This kit is listed for the Mk2 specifically; if your Jetta is a later model, this one does not apply.
- £785.44 inc VAT
- Clears 15 inch wheels
- 278 x 24mm single-piece cast disc
- Four-piston Billet 4 caliper, five caliper colours
- Brackets and hardware included; pads and hoses priced separately
Tarox 300mm Sport: the complete kit at 16 inch
Moving from the HiSpec 278mm to the Tarox 300mm is not just a 22mm disc increase. You also move from a four-piston caliper and a one-piece disc to a six-piston B32 caliper and a two-piece floating disc, and the kit arrives with braided hoses and Corsa pads already fitted at the factory. Garreth’s view is that for a Mk2 on 16s that gets proper use, the Tarox 300mm is the more complete package even at the higher price, because the disc construction and the caliper both step up at the same time.
The disc is 300 x 26mm. It is listed for the Jetta 1.8i GT; if your engine or generation is different, tell us before ordering and we will confirm with Tarox.
- £1,989.79 inc VAT, complete
- Clears 16 inch wheels
- 300 x 26mm two-piece floating disc, balanced to 0.05mm
- Six-piston B32 caliper, hand assembled in Italy
- Corsa pads and braided hoses included and fitted
Tarox 318mm Sport: 17 inch territory
The 318mm kit adds 18mm of disc diameter over the 300mm and needs 17 inch wheels to clear it. One thing worth knowing: the disc is 318 x 24mm, which is 2mm thinner than both the 300mm and the 330mm kits on this page. That is how this kit is specced and it is not a data error; the 24mm figure comes directly from the product description. On a road car it is not a meaningful constraint.
B32 six-piston caliper, two-piece floating disc, pads and hoses in the box and fitted. The same complete kit arrangement as the 300mm, stepping up in diameter and in the wheel size it requires. Listed for the 1.8i GT; confirm with us if your engine or year differs.
- £2,050.00 inc VAT, complete
- Clears 17 inch wheels
- 318 x 24mm two-piece floating disc
- Six-piston B32 caliper, hand assembled in Italy
- Corsa pads and braided hoses included and fitted
Tarox 330mm Sport: the flagship at 17 inch
The 330mm is the biggest disc in the Jetta catalogue and the only kit listed under the “1.8 GT” label rather than “1.8i GT”. The disc steps back up to 26mm thick, matching the 300mm kit and adding 12mm of diameter over the 318mm. For a car used at track evenings, this is where the friction surface earns its keep: more swept area, the same complete-in-one-box Tarox build, and it still clears 17 inch wheels.
Of the three Tarox kits, this is the one Garreth would reach for on a car that gets driven hard. The £230 over the 318mm is worth it when the disc is working properly.
- £2,280.00 inc VAT, complete
- Clears 17 inch wheels
- 330 x 26mm two-piece floating disc, balanced to 0.05mm
- Six-piston B32 caliper, hand assembled in Italy
- Corsa pads and braided hoses included and fitted
Brembo GT for the Volkswagen Jetta
The Brembo catalogue spans most Jetta generations, and the price ladder is worth knowing because it does not follow the obvious pattern. For 1.8t and VR6 Jettas, the 323mm four-piston kit at £1,833.65 inc VAT undercuts the Tarox 300mm by around £156. That is not a misprint; it is an older Brembo format kit at a price that has not moved with the rest of the range. If you own a Mk2 or Mk3, Brembo also list generation-specific 313mm kits at £2,385.00, which puts them between the Tarox 318mm and the 330mm on price with the Brembo name on the caliper.
For Mk5 and Mk6 GLI owners, the 2026 range is more straightforward. Brembo list four caliper families at 330mm and 365mm with full documentation. The GT-A 330mm is the entry at £1,833.65, using a two-piece caliper body and a 1-piece disc. The GT-M 365mm at £3,772.06 steps to a monobloc caliper and a 2-piece disc, which is the construction Brembo recommends for cars that see regular track days. The GT-S 365mm at £3,876.84 is a billet body where the GT-M is cast; the GT-R 365mm at £7,439.34 is the billet flagship. Mk5 and Mk6 kits are listed separately for standard and GLI variants because the hub and bracket geometry differs; confirm your trim before ordering.
All Brembo kits are made to order in Italy at six to eight weeks from order to delivery. Disc face (cross-drilled or Type 3 slotted) is chosen at order time with no price difference, and caliper colour is a free option. Wheel clearance for the Mk5/Mk6 GT-A and GT-M kits comes from Brembo’s own clearance drawings with A, B and C dimensions on each product page. For the older 313mm and 323mm kits, ring 0115 647 8650 and Cameron will work through the clearance before anything is ordered.
- 1.8t / VR6 entry: 323mm four-piston at £1,833.65 inc VAT (undercuts Tarox 300mm by £156)
- Mk2 and Mk3: generation-specific 313mm kits at £2,385.00
- Mk5 and Mk6 GLI: 330mm GT-A at £1,833.65, stepping to 365mm GT-M (£3,772.06), GT-S (£3,876.84) and GT-R (£7,439.34)
- Made to order in Italy: six to eight weeks from order to delivery
- Cross-drilled or Type 3 slotted disc at the same price; caliper colour free at order time
- Clearance drawings (A, B and C dimensions) on Mk5/Mk6 product pages; older kits: ring 0115 647 8650 and Cameron will check your exact wheel
If the car is on 18s
The Jetta catalogue tops out at 17 inch. There is no kit in this range that needs 18 inch wheels or uses a disc larger than 330mm. If you are already on 18s and are looking for something that fits, ring us on 0115 647 8650 and we will check whether anything from the wider Tarox catalogue applies to the car. That is a question Cameron can usually answer while you are on the phone.
What is actually in each box
The prices are further apart than the finished builds are. HiSpec price their kit without pads or braided hoses; you choose the compound separately. Tarox include both, pads pre-fitted. Brembo include pads and hoses, and like Tarox are made to order, so the lead time sits alongside the price in the comparison. Add consumables to the HiSpec figure before comparing any kit against any other.
| In the box | HiSpec 278mm | Tarox 300/318/330mm | Brembo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calipers | Billet 4, four-piston, 6082 T6 billet | B32, six-piston, billet alloy, hand assembled | GT-A (2-piece), GT-M (monobloc), GT-S/GT-R (billet); all four-piston |
| Discs | Single-piece cast iron, 278 x 24mm | Two-piece floating, billet steel rotor and alloy bell, balanced to 0.05mm | 313/323mm kits: see product page; 330mm GT-A: 1-piece 330x28mm; 365mm kits: 2-piece floating 365x29mm |
| Brackets and hardware | Included | Included | Included |
| Braided hoses | Priced separately | Included, vehicle specific | Included |
| Pads | Priced separately, your compound choice | Corsa pads, pre-fitted | Included |
| Caliper finish | Black, red, blue, gold or silver | Black, red, blue, green or gold anodised | Multiple colours, free option set at order time |
| Built in | Dartford, UK, up to 28 working days | Northern Italy | Italy; six to eight weeks to order |
Every kit on this page compared
| Kit | Disc | Caliper | Smallest wheel | Pads and hoses | Price inc VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HiSpec 278mm Billet 4 | 278 x 24mm single-piece | 4 piston | 15in | Extra | £785.44 |
| Tarox 300mm Sport | 300 x 26mm two-piece floating | B32, 6 piston | 16in | Included | £1,989.79 |
| Tarox 318mm Sport | 318 x 24mm two-piece floating | B32, 6 piston | 17in | Included | £2,050.00 |
| Tarox 330mm Sport | 330 x 26mm two-piece floating | B32, 6 piston | 17in | Included | £2,280.00 |
| Brembo 313mm (Mk2) | 313mm | 4 piston | See product page | Included | £2,385.00 |
| Brembo 313mm (Mk3) | 313mm | 4 piston | See product page | Included | £2,385.00 |
| Brembo 323mm (1.8t, VR6) | 323mm | 4 piston | See product page | Included | £1,833.65 |
| Brembo GT-A 330mm (Mk5 / Mk6 GLI) | 330 x 28mm 1-piece | GT-A, 4 piston | See product page | Included | £1,833.65 |
| Brembo GT-M 365mm (Mk5 / Mk6 GLI) | 365 x 29mm 2-piece | GT-M, 4 piston monobloc | See product page | Included | £3,772.06 |
| Brembo GT-S 365mm (Mk5 / Mk6 GLI) | 365 x 29mm 2-piece | GT-S, 4 piston billet | See product page | Included | £3,876.84 |
| Brembo GT-R 365mm (Mk5 / Mk6 GLI) | 365 x 29mm 2-piece | GT-R, 4 piston billet | See product page | Included | £7,439.34 |
Prices include VAT and were correct on 23 September 2026. Tarox and HiSpec prices unchanged from September 2026. Brembo wheel clearance comes from the drawing on each product page. The 318mm Tarox disc is 24mm thick, confirmed from the product specification; kits either side run 26mm.
Common questions
Is the HiSpec 278mm kit compatible with Jetta models other than the Mk2?
The HiSpec listing covers the Jetta Mk2 (1984 to 1992). It does not extend to the Mk3 or later. If you own a Mk3 and want a HiSpec kit, contact us and we will ask HiSpec whether a bracket exists for your car; nothing on this page currently covers it.
Which Tarox listing should I order for my engine and year?
All three Tarox kits are listed by engine variant (1.8i GT or 1.8 GT) without a generation number. If you are confident you have a 1.8i or 1.8 GT-engined Jetta, order the kit for your budget and wheel size. If your exact variant is less clear, tell us the year and spec before ordering and we will confirm the fitment with Tarox before anything is built.
Why is the 318mm disc thinner than the 300mm and 330mm discs?
The 318mm Tarox kit uses a 318 x 24mm disc; the 300mm and 330mm kits both use 26mm thick discs. That is how the kits are built and sold; the 24mm figure comes from the product description for this specific kit and is not a data error. On a road car the 2mm difference in thickness is not something you will notice. On a car doing repeated hard track sessions, thicker discs store more heat before they fade; on balance we would still pick the 330mm for that use.
Why do the HiSpec kits not include pads and hoses?
HiSpec price the kit bare so you choose the pad compound for the car's use: a road compound for daily driving, something more aggressive for track evenings. Both pads and braided hoses can be added to the order. We will quote the finished build so you are comparing a complete package against the Tarox all-in price.
How long before it arrives?
HiSpec kits are made to order in Dartford, allow up to 28 working days. Tarox kits are built for the specific car at the factory in Italy and lead times vary through the year, so ask when you order and we will give you the current picture.
Is Brembo an option for the Volkswagen Jetta?
Yes, and the range covers several generations. For the early 1.8t and VR6 Jetta, Brembo list a 323mm four-piston kit at £1,833.65 inc VAT, which is actually below the Tarox 300mm on price. For the Mk2 specifically there is a 313mm four-piston kit at £2,385.00, and a separate Mk3 listing at the same price. These are older-format Brembo kits without published clearance drawings, so ring Cameron on 0115 647 8650 with your wheel details before ordering and he will confirm fit.
For Mk5 and Mk6 GLI owners, Brembo have a proper 2026-format range with full caliper family documentation: 330mm GT-A at £1,833.65, through to 365mm GT-M at £3,772.06, GT-S at £3,876.84 and GT-R at £7,439.34. These carry Brembo's caliper clearance drawings with the A, B and C dimensions on the product page. All Brembo kits are made to order in Italy at six to eight weeks.
What we would actually fit
On a Mk2 Jetta still on original 15 inch wheels, the HiSpec 278mm Billet 4 at £785.44 is the clear starting point: it fits without touching the wheels and it is a meaningful step over the factory sliding calipers. Once the wheels change and you are on 16s, Garreth would move to the Tarox 300mm. The six-piston B32 caliper and the two-piece floating disc are a proper step up, and the fact that pads and hoses arrive in the box makes it the tidier purchase.
On 17 inch wheels, the Tarox 330mm at £2,280.00 is the one Garreth would fit. The 318mm at £2,050.00 saves £230 but the 330mm has the bigger swept area and the thicker disc to go with it, and on a car doing track evenings that combination earns its money. If the budget stretches to it, the Brembo 323mm at £1,833.65 is worth knowing about for 1.8t and VR6 Jettas: it undercuts the Tarox 300mm on price, which is not something you see often in this range. On the Mk5 and Mk6 GLI, the GT-A 330mm at £1,833.65 is the Brembo entry and the GT-M 365mm at £3,772.06 is where the monobloc caliper earns its keep on a car that gets tracked. All Brembo kits are six to eight weeks from order. If you own a Mk3 and want to confirm which Tarox kit covers your year and engine, ring us on 0115 647 8650. Working out what fits and what does not is Cameron’s corner of the business, so have the wheel make and size ready and you will get a straight answer.