New discs and pads needed - recommendations please

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boggym

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Well, following the track sessions at ADI last weekend I managed to completely finish off my front brake pads. They started to make a scraping/grinding noise after my second session but I just thought it was some build up on the discs but it didn't go away. As the week has gone by the noise has got worse so I whipped off my front right hand wheel tonight and the outside pad had completely gone - I'm metal to metal! which has heavily scored the discs also.

It's not something I've looked into that much yet but I was just wondering if anyone has replaced their pads and discs or whether anyone was aware of any aftermarket ones that may be any good. I've noticed some Mintex ones on ebay, does anyone know if these are any good? Also, where's the best place to buy.

Cheers
 
If you are after a mild performance increase, this is the road:
- Brembo Aftermarket Disks.
- Pagid Blue or yellow pads.
- Dot 5.1 brake fluid.
My advice is to keep the original parts, or upgrade with a front caliper/disk/pad set from brembo, or the Audi TTRS stock setup, or the Audi RS4 setup, that will most likely require 19''s.
Hope this helps.
I have throwen away a lot of money on composite brakes for the front, but they do not work well due to the shyt calipers our cars are delivered with...
 
Are the standard calipers poor??? I haven't had any issues with them, currently on 48k with original disks and pads.
 
I've had problems with dust pick-up on several track days, last but one track day I also warped front discs. These were changed under warrenty by Audi! but I have subsequently fitted a set of yellowstuff pads, last track day no dust pick-up or fade, and no problems in day to day use. Got them from EBCbrakes.biz for approx. £80.00
 
Cheers guys,

Just what I was looking for, some recommendations. Can't seem to find a lot of options for the 8P S3 at the moment so will have a good trawl round today. I'll probably go with some EBC ones as there's a GSF just up the road and it's easy. I'll pop in there this morning to see what options they've got.
 
I'm in the same boat, need discs and pads at the front. I'll be going Tarox for discs and pads and doing the work myself. Not the cheapest brakes but still cheaper than getting Audi to do it!
 
Yeah best to do it yourself. I popped into Audi on thursday to see whether somebody could have a quick look and try to get them changed on warranty but they were to busy. The earliest they could take a look was next wednesday, so I had to book it in. Had a look myself thursday night and thats when I noticed the pad had completely worn out! Phoned them yesterday for price, £379 fitted, £280 for just the parts. Hence looking around for different options.
 
If you decide to stick with Original OEM parts then PM me your reg number and I'll beat the dealer prices for you for certain.
 
The standard caliper is not the best of worlds, because it is 'fluctuating' version on single piston pusihng on the internal side. This means:
- Fluctuation of the caliper requires fluctuation paths, that suffer dust build up.
- Fluctuating calipers have a more imprecise action on the pads at high speeds.
- A single-piston caliper brings: overheating problems around the piston&gasket.
- A single-piston caliper brings: an unequal pressure excersized on the pads.

I have never seen such a high performance car as the S3 delivered with such a shyt brake setup! This doesn't meen that it hasn't been studied, and that you can not go 50k miles on the rubbing elements: it means that if you drive the thing like a racecar, it will fail to meet your expectations. I am a rallydriver and drive as hard as it gets.
I read about Tarox, please think twice: this is a family-run company at about 50km from my home, and they are far from the precision a major brand has. Ask the blokes at TTshop.co.uk, that used to import the stuff and stopped... But this is another thing.
 
boggym said:
Yeah best to do it yourself. I popped into Audi on thursday to see whether somebody could have a quick look and try to get them changed on warranty but they were to busy. The earliest they could take a look was next wednesday, so I had to book it in. Had a look myself thursday night and thats when I noticed the pad had completely worn out! Phoned them yesterday for price, £379 fitted, £280 for just the parts. Hence looking around for different options.
Click to expand...

F**K me.

I've just been and got a set of rear discs and pads for my 2.0 tdi.

Pagid discs (OEM spec) and EBC greenstuff pads. £78 the lot.

Audi must be making a killing.
 
AJames said:
.

I read about Tarox, please think twice: this is a family-run company at about 50km from my home, and they are far from the precision a major brand has. Ask the blokes at TTshop.co.uk, that used to import the stuff and stopped... But this is another thing.
Click to expand...

AJames, I'm intrigued about your experience of Tarox. I have had tarox before on my Mk1 golf and had no problems whatsoever. Awesome GTI seem to think they are ok and Jim Cotton has been on the scene for a very long time.

Can you suggest any suitable alternatives??
 
ollyhawkeye said:
AJames, I'm intrigued about your experience of Tarox. I have had tarox before on my Mk1 golf and had no problems whatsoever. Awesome GTI seem to think they are ok and Jim Cotton has been on the scene for a very long time.

Can you suggest any suitable alternatives??
Click to expand...

Similar views to AJames here...when I was changing brakes on tow of my previous cars,I was advised by the engineer who looked after my cars(also an ex-BTCC and rallycrosser) to avoid Tar-Ox.

The alternatives would be Alcon if you want something not too expensive,or Brembo and AP if you can afford them.
 
Cheers guys,

Unfortunately things got a bit to noisy and uncomfortable, I had to start using the handbrake to slow down around town as the grinding was unbearable. So I popped into the garage that does the work on my car and they put some OEM discs and pads on this morning. I'm not to bothered as I was quite happy with the standard set up for how I drive, it was just one of those opportunities/excuses to upgrade, so I'll live with them for now.

I had a look around for some options from your recommendations but it was difficult to find the parts listed for the 8P S3. Maybe it's early days yet but hopefully more options will start to come out soon.

Cheers
 
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