Which brakes do I have?

[Richard T6.1]

OK this one puzzles me for a while.

My van is a T6.1 ordered new in April 2023 right before VW closed the order books for new vans here in NL. According to the VW NL it was part of the last production run for new T6.1s. It was delivered late April 2024, a year later. It was ordered as a T30 and the paperwork and sticker on the van also says T30.

Yet, the front shocks have a T32 mount:



This almost caused problems when ordering the right TMP coil over kit - I had to order a T32 kit. A possible explanation offered by the dealer/builder (camper conversion) was that VW was likely using up the available parts at the time, sometimes at random for parts like this. Not sure if that's viable but I do have T32 shocks on my T30.

I took this pic when the TMP kit was installed and my question is which brakes do I have? T30 or T32?



Thanks in advance! Richard

 

[Greybeard]

Hi Richard. I have T6 T32 150bhp LWB Kombi. This came with the bigger front brakes.
My discs look bigger than in your picture above. The calipers are also bigger and rotated upwards from the vertical of yours.

I’m sure someone with a T6.1 will add info shortly, but in the meantime maybe info below might help;

EBC OE-Replacement Front Brake Discs - 340mm Standard - VW T5 T6 - Vanstyle

Regards,
Andy

 

[Deaky]

Look like the standard 294mm rather than the larger 340mm that look like this

 

[JumpShip]

They look like 308 fronts . (Single piston)

340's are twin piston and look like Deakys pic .

294's are rears

 

[Nutexa Frictions]

Hi, they are the 308mm discs/pads. if you need any we have them on the shelf ready to go and can arrange any postage to the Netherlands and can sort payment in Euros.

forum discount still available T6FORUM

 

[Vinyl1210]

Hi, they are the 308mm discs/pads.

Yep. I’d agree. Mine is ‘22 T30 also and mine has 308 mm and looks EXACTLY like yours.

 

[Greybeard]

Hi @Richard T6.1

I believe T32 Transporters would come with T32 springs/shocks/struts and sometimes have ‘small’ front brakes.

I think the VW terminology was something like ‘16 inch or 17 inch chassis’, as the bigger brakes require minimum 17” wheels.

I wonder whether the higher engine powers and 3,200kg gross weight were then fitted with bigger brakes?

What gross weight and engine power is yours?

 

[Richard T6.1]

Hi @Greybeard

I'm not sure what 'gross weight' is but according to the official papers from van the weight ready to drive is 2163 KG (including half tank of fuel and 75 KG driver). The max weight is 3000 KG so that's a T30. It's a 150 / DSG7.

I had it on a weigh bridge after the camper conversion too, 2450 KG so the conversion added about 300 KGs.


BTW thanks all for the replies!

 

[AndyP Gardener]

Have you got a factory towbar? From memory, with the factory fitted towbar the T30 suspension gets some sort of upgrade.

 

[Richard T6.1]

Nope... no towbar.

 

[phazer]

Worth adding that the T6.1 340mm calipers differ from the T5.1/T6, they're smaller. I see confirmed above that you have 308s.

This is what the later calipers look like:

For what it's worth I agree with the dealer - VW probably just emptying the parts bins in the factory as the run came to an end.

 

[The Bear78]

The random upgraded suspension thing is not uncommon.
One such example

 

[andymcvw1]

Hi @Richard T6.1

I believe T32 Transporters would come with T32 springs/shocks/struts and sometimes have ‘small’ front brakes.

I think the VW terminology was something like ‘16 inch or 17 inch chassis’, as the bigger brakes require minimum 17” wheels.

I wonder whether the higher engine powers and 3,200kg gross weight were then fitted with bigger brakes?

What gross weight and engine power is yours?

I've a 19 plate lwb 4motion t32 with small brakes. Can't understand why it's not got big brakes due to the weight. I had a lwb t30 12plate previously with the same brakes and noticed a big difference when I swapped to the 4motion. Brakes were good on the t30 but 4motion struggles.