Zimmerman Discs.. update - help needed re pad sensors

[Imola_Sid]

Time for some new brake discs and pads

Looking at different options.

Can't really find much online in the way of reviews for Zimmerman on this specific car.

Has anyone on here used them? Would be interested to hear any feedback.

Thanks

[Charmie86]

i know martin chapman on the Facebook rs6 pages has them. think he really likes them. got them through autodoc

[Imola_Sid]

Yeah, they are well priced from Autodoc compared to genuine discs from dealers. Do you know how long he's run them for and did he notice any difference when comparing to genuine setup?

[IanH755]

I know it's not exactly "like for like" but on my older C5 RS6 I used both OEM and Zimmermans and found no difference between them so, as long as nothings changed at Zimmerman, I'd be happy to use them on the C6 too

However just be aware that the design of the OEM discs (on which the Zimmermans are based) is pretty poor for cooling/airflow so, depending on "hard" you drive it may be better to spend £200 more to get aftermarket brakes from people like AP racing, Tarox etc - but again only if you like to drive "hard".

[Imola_Sid]

Ah ok... Is that why people fit the Phaeton dust shields?

Can't afford to go all out (AP/Upgrade route).

The Zimmermans discs are coming in at around 1100 for all 4 so significantly cheaper than dealers or upgrade route, and I'm pretty sure I can source some good pads (ds2500 or oem) for sub £300.

[IanH755]

Ah ok... Is that why people fit the Phaeton dust shields?

Yeap, the OEM pads are "OK" but the DS2500's you mentioned are very good, the OEM fluid is "OK" and the OEM Calipers are absolutely fan-bloody-tastic - it's solely the poor cooling design of the OEM discs which lets the whole thing down, hence people retrofitting the Phaeton ducts.

Again this is only if you're driving quite hard, for the odd heavy foot moment the OEM design is OK, it's only if you've been hammering the brakes for 5-10 minutes that things can get spicy very quickly

[Imola_Sid]

To be honest, I don't drive hard very often (90% of my journeys have the kids with me) but that's no excuse to say no to a little upgrade. I've got a set of Zimmerman discs on order and ds2500 front pads. Will probably stick to Pagid's at the rear because the last owner bought a set and never fitted them. Should be ok right?

Brake fluid will definitely get a flush and typ200 fluid.

Do you know the part numbers for the Phaeton dust shields? And assuming it's a direct swap?

[Jim Haseltine]

Back plates:
3D0 615 311 C (left)
3D0 615 312 C (right)
Air ducts:
3D0 615 447 D (left)
3D0 615 448 D (right)
Then you'll need 8 duct to plate mounting set screws N 102 849 02 and may need some plate mounting screws N 905 988 04 depending on the condition of those on your car.
The plates are about 5mm smaller in diameter than the RS6 steel discs which triggers my OCD but as I can't see them all the time I can live with it.

Earlier this year I noticed some marks on both the inner rim lips then during the warm weather when I had the driver's window open I noticed that on maximum left lock there were slight rubbing sounds from the driver's wheel - maybe the left rim rubs too on full lock. I suspect that the ducts are being pressed towards the rim by something under the arch - I need to take a look next time the car is on a lift as there's nothing obvious when it's jacked up.

[Imola_Sid]

much appreciated

[ATinOf]

I have used Zimmermans on the rear and do not find any difference between them and stock, but I do use the AP discs on front

[Imola_Sid]

Zimmermans on order all round with Ds2500 all round as well.

Pad sensors - how many do i need? What length? Seems to be a lot of options coming up online

[IanH755]

Sensors- I'm not sure the DS2500 pads have a slot cut for sensors but I'm 100% sure I've never used a sensor with them.



What I've done is make "shorting" connectors for the electrical plug to fool the car into think the pads are always 100% (to prevent failure messages) where I've cut the sensor wire about 5cm after the cars electrical connector in the arch, twisted the wires together and sealed them (so no water/moisture etc), and then plugged the connector back into the car.

If you do that you just have to remember to manually check you car every 1-2 months to check the pad level yourself, which I do as part of a "Sunday Maint" where I check things like tyre pressure, oil/brake/coolant/washer fluid levels, tyre condition etc.

Here's a pic of someone elses "shorted" sensor to give you an idea -

[Imola_Sid]

Did you do that for the front and the rears?

Thanks

[IanH755]

I did the fronts and IIRC Unit 20 did the rears for me (I have none OEM pads for both).

[Jim Haseltine]

Don't think there are any rear sensors. I shorted my fronts but didn't have to do anything at the back. There's always the possibility that a previous owner had the rears done but I've never seen anything obvious when I've had the rear arch liners off.