S4 - noises from front wheel(s) - are they normal?

[tuscy]

Just picked up my new mota - a 2004 S4 Avant.

Fabulous car and the perfect antidote to the blues I had after selling my Tuscan (due to expanding family) a couple of years back.

Only slight worry is a sort of resonating hum coming from the front wheels at speeds > 30mph. It comes and goes a bit but I'm pretty sure it shouldn't be there. Obviously it's something I didn't spot during the test drive and I'm not too worried since I still have 7 months Audi warranty remaining.

Could be a wheel bearing but I've already had 2 wheel bearing failures on other Audi's in the past 3 months - so it can't possibly be that ... can it? It's not affected by cornering as I would expect for a bearing.

More likely I think is the front brakes - they were quite rusty where it had been sitting on the dealer forecourt for weeks and they've not really cleaned up yet (after 200 miles or so). They appear to be slightly scored and I've experienced similar noises with heavily scored discs on my wife's A2 where they constantly rub the pads slightly.

Or is it tyre noise?

Anyone with similar experiences?

[B6S4John]

See my post below. Whine from front off side.

[tuscy]

Wasn't really a whine but I'm pretty happy now that it's the tyres. Thanks for the advice.

Full reply here...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... 2&f=86&h=0