Average brake disc life??

[drcarrera]

I have ceramic brakes and had the same issue. Although my pads had 4mm or more of pad left, the brass pins holding the pad material to the backing were showing through and had just started to mark the discs. Low pad warning sensors were nowhere near being triggered!

Ouch! Hope you didn't have to foot the bill for replacing those!

[MB2]

If you really think this is a design flaw then sue Audi UK in the small claims court for the cost of replacing the discs.

That isn't a bad idea just makes sure have approached Audi in writing first as I bet they won't show up & you will be awarded the costs. Do be aware although you can ask to use the courst local to you they can have moved to their HO so may mean some travelling (which you could claim back if you win).

It may be worth weighing up what you might get back (1/2 the costs of the disc/pads ?) against the potential loss of "goodwill" if you need the DRC replaced (& Audi decide suing them means no goodwill - I think I would but no idea what their stance would be)

[djt]

I have asked them if they will replace the discs FOC as good will. I have said that I will pay for pads + fitting (only if they have changed them - as mentioned earlier in the thread). If not I will go elsewhere and get different brakes fitted.

Will keep you posted.

[Nib]

I have ceramic brakes and had the same issue. Although my pads had 4mm or more of pad left, the brass pins holding the pad material to the backing were showing through and had just started to mark the discs. Low pad warning sensors were nowhere near being triggered!

That's interesting. How many miles had those pads done?

[djt]

I was initially offered a 10% discount of the total amount which worked out at little over £100. I declined and they said they would try and improve the offer. They then offered me 25% discount off the discs alone, which worked out to be £160. I also declined this, so I will be looking to put an alternative set on at an independent.

[djt]

Just got my car back today

I ended up negotiating a deal on the breaks. I asked for 25% off the total amount, which equates to almost 50% off the discs. So the total amount came to £840 inc. VAT & labour for front pads and discs.

I am happy enough with that, couldn't really ask for more as they had done 18.5k miles.

After 3 days at Audi, I did find that I missed it very much - is that sad??

[PetrolDave]

I'm still on the original discs after 45,000 miles, and just had one pad change at around 33,000 miles when I was advised to expect the pads and discs to need changing in "around 20,000 miles".

[djt]

I drive like a tit though Dave. My brakes get plenty of use.

[lengster1]

Pmsl.....like your honesty djt made me chuckle

[PetrolDave]

I drive like a tit though Dave. My brakes get plenty of use.

I drive fast, but I've been taught to look ahead and anticipate what might happen so my brakes usually only get used gently with hard braking only when something unexpected happens.

[djt]

I'm only joking Dave - it's all the previous owners driving that has caused the premature wear.

[bye bye]

I drive like a tit though Dave. My brakes get plenty of use.

I drive fast, but I've been taught to look ahead and anticipate what might happen so my brakes usually only get used gently with hard braking only when something unexpected happens.

Not this again, "I am such a good driver I don't need to use the brakes"......you don't drive fast then....simple!! How0 well you are trained...i.e. looking at the hedge row line to see where the road is likely to go, using the whole road not just the left.....it is not practical to not use the brakes "gently".

When I go for a blat, leaving braking until the last possible moment is more than half the fun........do you get that....FUN!! Using the brakes as they should be used....it an RS4 for god's sake not a bloody derv run about!!

....and relax...

£840 is not bad........

[PetrolDave]

Not this again, "I am such a good driver I don't need to use the brakes"......you don't drive fast then....simple!! How0 well you are trained...i.e. looking at the hedge row line to see where the road is likely to go, using the whole road not just the left.....it is not practical to not use the brakes "gently".

When I go for a blat, leaving braking until the last possible moment is more than half the fun........do you get that....FUN!! Using the brakes as they should be used....it an RS4 for god's sake not a bloody derv run about!!

....and relax...

£840 is not bad........

hody - you need to believe that it IS possible to drive fast, have FUN and have mechanical sympathy at the same time.

Until then, just accept that it IS possible.

When I want a "derv run" I drive my C1, I ONLY drive my RS4 when I want FUN.

[bye bye]

whatever you say......

[ArthurPE]

I agree 100%
using brakes less, but harder, for a shorter period is faster, and wears them much less
and slowing less is faster...
bleeding more speed off just means you must apply more force to regain it...
gauging distance, letting off, and letting the car slow to where you can negotiate the turn without brakes is faster on the open road (not track)
everyone needs to read: Paul Frere's Sports Car & Competition Driving

all in all, normal street driving is 90%+ of brake wear, 'spirited' driving is only a few percent...and yes, I use my car(s) as intended...
my wife goes thru brakes twice as fast as in her previous 105 HP Jetta and current 115 HP Mini than I do in the M3 or RS4...all slow, town driving, stop and go, with no 'smoothness' to her technique...
instead of gauging lights/traffic, it's go til stop...

mine are 50% worn at 37k miles, probably replace at 50k or so...
2nd set of pads...

hody - you need to believe that it IS possible to drive fast, have FUN and have mechanical sympathy at the same time.

Until then, just accept that it IS possible.

When I want a "derv run" I drive my C1, I ONLY drive my RS4 when I want FUN.