Order of modifications

[jfeb]

The brake topic is an interesting one. It seems that you have either experienced brake-fade or you haven't. If the former, better brakes are high up the list!

I have a stock S4 (other than short shift kit, RS4 springs & shocks and thicker ARBs) and haven't experienced fade yet (and I also need to keep 17" wheels so that I can mount curbs outside my house!) so haven't done the brakes. For me, standard brakes are fine. Can understand why those with more power might find otherwise though.

[S4TAN]

I'm sure after you've taken me for a spin Julian I'll be saving again with a new ferocity..

For sure Adam! I had my map tweaked again(!!!) last night (also had to put yet another new N75 in)... it's now running ferocious boost levels ... EVIL!!

Should see you in a couple of weeks at the Satan Pod "Woody vs Leon" shoot-out .... (ooops; meant Santa, not Satan ... ) ... will take you for a spin then if you're not too busy on the strip ...

[Ads4]

Nice one! Looking forward to the grudge match too... V

[S4TAN]

For me, standard brakes are fine

jfeb - if you ever go for the exhaust and a remap that's when you'll start re-thinking about the brakes thing ...

[Ads4]

The brake topic is an interesting one. It seems that you have either experienced brake-fade or you haven't. If the former, better brakes are high up the list!

I have a stock S4 (other than short shift kit, RS4 springs & shocks and thicker ARBs) and haven't experienced fade yet (and I also need to keep 17" wheels so that I can mount curbs outside my house!) so haven't done the brakes. For me, standard brakes are fine. Can understand why those with more power might find otherwise though.

Until just recently as I said I couldn't get what everyone was harping on about! Standard brakes are fine!! Never had a problem!! I was even going to upgrade the turbos before the brakes but not any more. I'm also planning on a few track sessions soon, prob starting with Audi day, so the brakes are now a definate.

[jfeb]

I suspect I am just not trying hard enough (to experience brake fade)

[Ads4]

I suspect I am just not trying hard enough (to experience brake fade)

That's not a bad thing mate..it scared the crap out of me..

[DavidT]

How you use the car is a big factor in the mods you should choose according to this thread.

I'd have handling and braking before power with my money, but if you don't do trackdays, I guess its the other way around?

[S4TAN]

I'd have handling and braking before power with my money,

Putting my sensible head on I'd agree with that. I found that the stock brakes were right at the very edge of their operating envelope after just a remap and a cat-back exhaust (say 310-320bhp), and that was just on public roads, not race tracks. IMHO anything above that power level is when you need the brake upgrade for public road driving, let alone track day use. These cars are heavy!

[DavidT]

I'd have handling and braking before power with my money,

Putting my sensible head on I'd agree with that. I found that the stock brakes were right at the very edge of their operating envelope after just a remap and a cat-back exhaust (say 310-320bhp), and that was just on public roads, not race tracks. IMHO anything above that power level is when you need the brake upgrade for public road driving, let alone track day use. These cars are heavy!

Yes, I agree with that. Come to think of it, I had uprated brakes long before a remap but I hated the 'long pedal' of the standard brakes and one day at Castle Combe completely ruined them.

[rolskii]

If you go fast enuff... even the rs4 brakes are poo....

[rikrose]

My car has stopped too slowly for my liking. I had already been advised that brakes should be first, and well, he's right.

Admittedly, my moment was due to my front brakes not actually working at all, but I'm sure that any day now, the damn parts will arrive and then I can keep my car on the road more than off it. If my car is off the road on the 12th, then it'll have been off the road longer than on

[DavidT]

The stopping ability of the standard S4 brakes is A1, but the fade resistance is poo for sure.

[C-24]

I like my brembo 'big brakes Gran Turismo' but hey, I think every car should just brake as with good aftermarket discs!
Driving the S4 with a remap and stock suspensions, brakes is suicide.

I am thinking about putting some better REAR brakes though (they look pretty funny since they are so small compared to the front).

[fletchie55]

Ive never had a problem with my stock brakes, I guess it all depends how you drive. Im not exactly sure to what level brake face can occur if your unlucky can someone explain the feeling?I guess its completely different from total failure ie pedal hit the floor with no resistance?

am I correct in thinking its the over heating of the pads/disks that causes the fade or is it the overheating of the fluid? would using a higher temp rated fluid help?
Maybe I should try and get some brake fade just for the experience, how many times would I need to go from 100-50mph on my private track to achieve this new sensation or would it just be easier to drive along for half a mile or so with a foot on the brake slightly?