Front pads and what do you think of Kumho Ecsta tyres?

[audi_driver79]

Hi,

Might be coming in for some stick here but I think my front pads are nearly worn out as they screech pretty badly when slowly stopping and the brake pad light has come on twice briefly over the last couple of weeks. It's not on now but wanted to look at options. The three year old pads in mine are the Audi OEM Pagid which seem to have done a great job as I don't drive that spirited especially when my family is in the car. I also replaced discs with Zimmerman’s at that time.

I did now want to try Ferodo DS2500 but in all honesty they might be too track focused and wear my discs down even quicker plus no wear sensor. I'm also considering Ferodo DS Performance which are inbetween and do have a wear sensor then there are Ferodo Premier which some B5 RS4/S4 owners seem to rate but they are mainly for road use. Has anyone got any views on the Ferodo pads? I have some good prices for all 3 and obviously the Premier are alot cheaper buy like I said seem highly rated.

Also to throw another quick question in has anyone used Kumho Ecsta tyres on their RS6? I'm on my second set of GY Eagle F1 but I wouldn't be averse to trying something else.

Sorry to ramble on a bit, I've owned my RS6 for 6 years now and obviously still loving every minute of it but with a second child on the way don't get out as often as I should.

Thanks for reading!

[Shoppinit]

The true OE pads are very good (not the ECP Pagid ones, they are made of chalk). I would just get these. I've been using the DS2500 on my M3 for years. They are fine for normal driving. They bite from cold, they don't seem aggressive on the disks. They are a bit squealy though. I don't think they are particularly track focused but they do work well on the M3 on the track. Not sure how useful that information is, given they are very different cars.

You might want to check why your brake light is coming on. The pad sensors, once they trip they stay tripped and have to be replaced. I don't see how they can come on and off. Your fluid might be low or you might have a different problem.

As for the Kumhos... why semi-budget tyres? PS4S FTW.

[mavada]

Ive Got the kumhos, they we're fitter om my mtm rims.
They have some roadnoise but apart from that they're fine.
Ive Got the 275/30/19 tyres.
Currently not a daily driver.

[Gripper1]

I run Kumhos, have done on nearly all my cars. Nothing wrong with them in my experience. The RS has the LE Sport KU39's and find them a good balance of cost, wear and grip.
The PS91's are relatively new to market but may give them a try soon as mine are due replacement.

[audi_driver79]

Thanks for your input. Shop I'm not trying to intentionally fit budget tyres but just wondered if people had tried them. I think they only work out about £30 a corner cheaper than the Goodyear in the end.

Sounds like they aren't a bad tyre but will just bear in mind as an option for the future. There are that many different brands available now there's no saying what each will be like on our cars with our individual driving styles. God knows anything was better than the EP Accelera originally on mine.

I was pretty sure once the wear sensor went off it should stay on til the pads were changed. I have plugged in VCDS and there doesn't seem to be anything on there. Bit worrying though so will get it checked.

I guess nobody has tried the alternatives to the DS2500? Might not have much time to ponder those options and might just get straight onto the Pagid RS ones again. If I do opt for anything else I'll post up my findings though.

Once again thanks for your replies!
AD79

[Nige_RS4]

I had Kumho Ecsta on my A5 (670Nm) and compared to Michelin PSS they were pants. I guess that's to be expected, but why not pay a bit more (Shop around for the PSS as there are deals to be had)? In my view it's a no brainer - car just felt so planted round corners.

[kvxxy]

My brake warning light kept going off which was a bit strange as the previous owner had recently changed the front discs and pads. We checked and the the connectors were damaged due to water collecting in them. It was a intermittent problem as well.

[Shoppinit]

The PS4S are so good that I just can't understand why anyone would choose anything else to put on a sports car. There are so few other components that make so much difference to the performance of a car that I just can't understand why people scrimp on tyres.

I took the M3 out yesterday for an awesome blast (embarrassed a Vantage V8 but that's another story) and the PS4S on the back just would not break grip. Even being a spaz and hard accelerating out of junctions, I could barely get the rear end to step out. It would always step out on the PSS that were previously on the rear.

In fact, they are so good that the PS2 on the front are now seriously letting the car down and I was being pushed into understeer situations by the PS4S. I'm going to have to get rid.

I know I sound like number one fanboy for Michelins, but they are properly, mind-bogglingly grippy. And hard wearing. It's not like they are ridiculously expensive either.

As for the pads, £240ish from a dealer for OE front pads. It's not bank breaking and they are good pads. I bet they are cheaper than the Pagid RS and the DS2500 and they are homologated and road legal to boot.

[Gripper1]

The PS4S are so good that I just can't understand why anyone would choose anything else to put on a sports car. There are so few other components that make so much difference to the performance of a car that I just can't understand why people scrimp on tyres.

I don't view cost as the main indicator of quality or performance. I buy tyres and other parts based on a cost/quality ratio that works for me. Might not work for others, however I do not criticise them for it.

If cost was the be all and end all, we'd all got to Audi for all our parts and servicing. Most know that doesn't necessarily mean you get the best considering what you pay.

[Shoppinit]

I wouldn't let Audi anywhere near my car.

[audi_driver79]

So these came yesterday. When I need to change mine I'll give these a go.

[Shoppinit]

They'll go well with the Kumhos.

[audi_driver79]

Lol I might not go with the Kumhos but as long as these stop me at traffic lights and 60-0 on the odd emergency I'm not going to worry about brake fade etc. Anyway all in the interest of giving other owners an informed opinion.

[Shoppinit]

They'll be fine for that purpose. They will stop you once, twice maybe. Don't expect more than that though, in quick succession. I tried the Mintex (which are essentially - and very probably exactly - the same pads). They are fine for road use and the odd emergency stop.

[audi_driver79]

I guess that's all I want for now. My wife gave birth to our second boy yesterday. I won't be driving like a maniac for some time...