[V8] Braking power

[Gunter]

I've only had my V8 Q a couple of months so I'm still getting a feel for it.

I am not overly impressed with the sheer braking power despite the remarkable engineering that went into making the braking system (UFO equipped)............in day to day driving it is adequate but the pedal has a spongy/mushy feel to it.  

I have had to use my brakes aggressively on two occasions to haul the car down from 100 mph and it didn't really seem more capable than my old '86 Jetta which has a quarter million miles on it and admittedly average to below average braking power..........

Another disconcerting symptom of some kind of trouble is that the lower section of the instrument panel red brake light routinely flashes for a split second whenever I quickly depress the brake pedal............easily replicated by "pumping the brakes"

The car has 140k on it and the "bomb" has probably never been changed...........this might be one thing to replace (??) but what else could/should I be doing to make sure that I can really stop this beast when I need to as it seems to invite rapid speeds............I already have one speeding ticket (1st in 8 years).  I don't think that I am willing to spend the money for an upgrade to high performance aftermarket brakes although I could perhaps be tempted if the price were right (used stuff??)

I have not yet touched the brakes but just before I took ownership it got a new set of rear pads, and new brake fluid (I was told that the brake system had been bled--previous owner was a VW/Audi mechanic who had owned the car for nearly a decade).  The UFOs were replaced once several years back due to warpage, and the front pads are at about 50%.  Rotor wear looks even and normal.

I am looking to the experts for help....................

Gunter
Cleveland