Discs & Pads Questions??

[rAudiguy]

Now boys.... kiss and make up

[rs4v8]

I'm trying!!

[alex_123_fra]

Hi Paul,

Just had my front discs and pads replaced. I bought the car with 16k miles on and now it has 20k miles. I was also getting fine vibration on light braking from 70 mph-ish since I bought it. My brake pad indicator had not come on but I was doing the discs anyway so I thought I'd do both. On inspecting the discs, there was no warping and there was plenty of "meat" left but there were deposits embedded which you wouldn't be able to remove with hard braking. Skimming isn't an option either so I just went for new ones. Never had this issue before in any other car but I generally don't tend to ride the brake at traffic lights or put handbrake on post hard driving/braking sessions and also give the brakes a good "workout" from 70-0 regularly.

At 20k miles, the rear pads and discs look absolutely fine with at least 5-10k miles left in the pads.

I found it cheaper to buy the discs and pads independently from VAG parts or DSG vagen and then got an independent to fit it. I got APS (http://www.autops.co.uk/) who are VAG specialists to fit them charging only £60-70 if I remember correctly (i.e 1.5 hours labour). They were very professional and got on with it without fuss. They also have the audi-standard laser alignment equipment and I had the car on it to check my settings. APS, MRC or awesomeGTi or any other independent would be better than audi in terms of price in my opinion.

I see no reason why the front discs won't last 2-3 pad changes if used normally.

[t_urbo]

It's cool i can take a whooping, i get it every day from the missus.

Now back to those warped disc's

These will help see those discs properly............

[rs4v8]

Ha Ha!! actually you're not far wrong - might need this!!

[DavidT]

Paul,

How long have the pads lasted please ? I'd be interested in the disc wear at your mileage too.

Have you tried a few heavy stops from high speed ?

[t_urbo]

Ha Ha!! actually you're not far wrong - might need this!!

Thats what i had when i met my missus.

[rs4v8]

You'd better hope she doesn't read this!!

[t_urbo]

Paul,

How long have the pads lasted please ? I'd be interested in the disc wear at your mileage too.

Have you tried a few heavy stops from high speed ?

I had a couple of two feet stops on the autobaun last week from 175 mph due to people just pulling out and apart from them smelling like a call girls crutch they have shown little sign of wear.

[rs4v8]

Do call girls crotches smell like this??!!

[t_urbo]

Heck, cut a slit in it and thats spot on................................so i hear

[DavidT]

I'd like you to wander back on topic in here please if you don't mind guys.

[MEV]

Car is going into the dealers tomorrow for new front Pads & possibly new Discs, as i'm getting vibration through the steering when braking hard, so i think i may have warped the front discs slightly in Germany a few weeks back Will ask to see the discs in case it's just uneven pad wear that's causing the vibration as i've no intention of replacing the discs if not needed.

The brake warning lamp has not illuminated yet, but they do look well below 20% life left from a visual glance.

My 3 questions are? roughly what's the dealer cost for supply & fit of new front pads & discs?? & secondly does anyone know the biaise of front/rear braking?? I'd like to know roughly what life span rears will provide in relation to fronts? Lastly, what is the normal lifespan of front & rear pads & front & rear discs??

Cheers in advance.

Hilarious banter guys and I'd better get on with some work soon !! but on the topic of price I had had MRC fit mine with a few other things about 6 months or so ago and front discs and pads were about 1100 give or take a few quid fitted.... always cheaper outside a stealer. I called 3 dealers and the parts all differed a lot in price. There is a few chaps here that will offer good VAG priced parts. Labour is the key dealers are charging 90 quid plus an hour and I think i'm right in saying approx 1.5 hours work? Let us know how you get on.

[W8PMC]

Paul,

How long have the pads lasted please ? I'd be interested in the disc wear at your mileage too.

Have you tried a few heavy stops from high speed ?

David,

The car is 5 months old & i've covered just over 10000 miles. I can clearly see the front pads are low although not dash light inducing low quite yet.

As for the discs, i will ask to see them once the dealer takes them off the car & before they suggest i replace them, however on closer visual inspection (through the wheel), all the holes are clear as i blasted the monster amounts of crud from them once i got back from Germany, i can't see any other marks, pits or deposits on the discs & the vibration is not light juddering & is not really felt under light braking, but under heavier braking it's a heavy judder which is no doubt warping & according to 2 Audi Master Techs i've spoken to, the OEM discs CAN warp under extreme use & i'd say that around 50+ laps of Nordschleife over 5 days is pretty extreme use

Told my dealer what i was doing before i left so this will be wear & tear, so i'll not be trying to blag it through Warranty.

Thanks for all the answers, however a huge difference in Costs, as one post says about £700 for front pads & discs fitted which seems a great price, but another says well over £1000 & that's using MRC (if i read the posts correctly). The £700 i could live with but over a bag of sand will hurt a little. Still i had the fun so deserve to pay the price.

[rAudiguy]

Paul you have PM