Brake pads at 42k - would you get the discs done too?

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Just had my car (A4 2016 3.0 TDi) in for a service and got an email from the Audi Cam thing saying my front pads are 95% worn (at 5mm) and they also recommend changing the discs too which were apparently a little lipped . Total price about £620! Car is on 42k miles. Not what I want just after xmas on top of a major service and gearbox oil change!

I thought I'd check a price match, so I phoned the parts dept up and priced up the parts - which come out at roughly:

Pads set - £120
Discs - £135 (Each) = £270
Supplementary bits (sensors etc) - £40

The labour would then be about £190 for the job (which I presume is about an hour and half).

However - I was surprised they are suggesting a disc change at 42k - I'd have expected them to last a lot longer than this?? Plus the discs are the most expensive part. I'd imagine pads only would come in about £250-£280 fitted, so half the price. Car is PCP so I won't be keeping it forever - got about 18/20 months left on it, so if I can save £300 then I will do! :)

So my question is - would you take the risk and not get the discs done?
 
Personally I wouldn’t bother with the discs it’s a sales approach to get more money around the Xmas period.
 
Shop around, Audi dealers too expensive I called as my car needs first oil service Audi dealer wants too charge £260!!!! Looked online for an Audi approved service £70 and as they use Audi parts does not affect warranty etc
 
It is ironic that the dealer was able to make a quantitative assessment of the pads, both in depth of material remaining and calculated wear rate, yet provide only a qualitative assessment of the discs, and a poor one at that "little lipped"? Discs have wear specs too, and it is quite easy to take a measurement of the lip. The fact that they didn't means that the recommendation to replace must have been purely speculative to increase revenue. Why not ask them to provide a measurement of the lip and a wear calculation for the discs just the same as they did for the pads?
 
OK so I asked the service agent for a price for the pads only and was told £260 incl fitting, which was about what I was expecting. So I said ok. However she then phoned back and said the workshop said they wouldn't fit just pads because the discs were at only about 0.5mm off the marker. Asked for the best price and she came back with £490. Still a hefty amount 2 days after Christmas however using genuine Audi parts bought myself I'd need to get somewhere to fit them for under £70 to better that, so just told accepted that quote.


So all in, the car has had the following today:

- Major service (40k miles) including pollen and fuel filters
- S-Tronic oil change
- New front discs and pads
- New drivers door motor (under warranty as it was making a very loud whirring noise when going up).

All in - £945. Probably not too bad for the amount of work that has been done (at main dealer rates) - yes, I could have probably got it a couple of hundred quid cheaper shopping around and going independent.

When I phoned a few places about the pads, one guy quoted £110 + VAT for the front pads only change - however when I asked if they were genuine parts he said "VAG don't make brake pads, but they're a decent brand" - which didn't fill me with too much confidence - because the genuine pads alone are £100 + VAT, then the sensors and anti-rattle plates etc on top of that, so they were obviously a significantly cheaper brand.

Merry Christmas to me. :culpability:
 
Car manufacturers rarely make serviceable parts, or even some major components these days...
 
The issue we all have is that the standard OEM disc pads are abrasive and chew the faces off the discs themselves. All that black dusty crap you get on your wheels - that's a mix of the pad compound and the surface of the iron disc being ground off/ The discs have a minimum serviceable thickness with the very real risk that they will fail if the friction surface gets too thin.

There is a solution though - replace the disc pads with EBC Redstuff - or Yellowstuff if you are in a high performance model. The EBCs are ceramic compound pads, no steel in them so they polish the discs rather than chew the life out of them and give you a better pedal feel - plus the small amount of dust produced washes off easily. I'll put them in the RS4 as soon as they are available without a hint of hesitation.

https://www.ebcbrakeshop.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzKSB3MnA3wIVSkPTCh1yvQChEAAYASAAEgJPlfD_BwE
 
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@cosmicblue Problem is you can’t get the ****** EBC pads for the fronts if you have 318mm disks. This is the route I’d go when they finally get round to making them. I’ve been emailing them over the last few months. I also want to USR slotted disks upfront when they make the pads.
 
I called EBC direct back in October over the pads for mine and EBC said the production engineering process was underway with a 6 month lead time, so probably around the end of Spring 2019.
 
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@cosmicblue That’s good news. I’ve still got a pair of OEM fronts to use before then. I tend to change before the wear indicator hits so it saves me shelling out for them. Have used green stuff before but never red stuff. Hows the cold application ? (Redstuff) if you’ve used them in the past.
 
Redstuffs are brilliant they have more 'grab' than OEM's when cold, though I think the RS4 application is going to be Yellowstuff.
 
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I have red stuff rear pads and ferodo front pads. Both work brilliantly in all temperatures/weather conditions.
 
cosmicblue said:
I called EBC direct back in October over the pads for mine and EBC said the production engineering process was underway with a 6 month lead time, so probably around the end of Spring 2019.
Click to expand...
Hmmmmm.... end of last year, EBC told me Redstuffs for S4 would be ready Jan/Feb '19, with their boss's daily drive B9 S4 as their development mule, only to be told in Jan. they would not be manufacturing. Just saying.
Have PowerStop (US) ceramic Z16's fitted. At the recent Audi-Sport track day they did get hot to the extent that I had to do some cool down time, but no problems on the street. Wrote to PowerStop recently about their Z23's, which are better performers, according to other makes/models owners. Rears are available but guessestimate fronts to be ready Summer '19.
Particularly the older the vehicle is, would seriously consider stainless steel brake lines. Normal wear & tear on the OEM flexible lines causes variance in pedal feel, and they can rupture. For our S4, Goodridge UK made lines for us, from OEMs as templates, and actually improved upon them.
https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/what-did-you-your-b9-do-today.363725/page-4#post-3299363
 
I did pads all round at 35,000 miles. There was about 20% left, I left it up to the indy if he wanted to change the disks too, he didn’t. They look fine today at 40,000 miles. This is a sales opportunity, not a necessity.
 
Also, pretty sure mechanics know how to remove the lip already.
 
WesT-gefül said:
Do you have the model number/name for the front pads? Are the Ferodos ceramic?
Click to expand...

Not sure if they are ceramic, the part number is FDB4616. Unless you get OEM pads there isn’t much choice for my car at the moment, the Ferodo pads tend to get good reviews so I went with them. TWR and Mapco also do some.
 
So was the brake pad warning light on prior to the service?
If not then, if we are to believe the dealership at their word, the pads and discs can get worryingly low without any warning lights coming on.....
 
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cosmicblue said:
I called EBC direct back in October over the pads for mine and EBC said the production engineering process was underway with a 6 month lead time, so probably around the end of Spring 2019.
Click to expand...
I emailed the contact in EBC I had previously been conversing with, who today responded, in part:-

"...confirm we now have the front & rear pads for the S4 & RS4 in stock (they are the same pads). We only list the Yellowstuff for these cars but there is a Redstuff version available (these are listed for the A8), I have listed the part numbers below…

Front pads:
DP42277R (Yellowstuff)
DP32277C (Redstuff)

Rear pads:
DP42254R (Yellowstuff)
DP32254C (Redstuff)..."

The DP32277C (Redstuff) pad was the part # I was given by another person from EBC when I initially enquired about S4 pads in 2017.
So, upon further query, he just confirmed the same pads suit S4, S5, (not SQ5), Q7 & A8 (2017 onward ‘D5’ 3.0 hybrid models).https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/members/cosmicblue.10603/
 
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Last edited:
SMI77 said:
I emailed the contact in EBC I had previously been conversing with, who today responded, in part:-

"...confirm we now have the front & rear pads for the S4 & RS4 in stock (they are the same pads). We only list the Yellowstuff for these cars but there is a Redstuff version available (these are listed for the A8), I have listed the part numbers below…

Front pads:
DP42277R (Yellowstuff)
DP32277C (Redstuff)

Rear pads:
DP42254R (Yellowstuff)
DP32254C (Redstuff)..."

The DP32277C (Redstuff) pad was the part # I was given by another person from EBC when I initially enquired about S4 pads in 2017.
So, upon further query, he just confirmed the same pads suit S4, S5, (not SQ5), Q7 & A8 (2017 onward ‘D5’ 3.0 hybrid models).
Click to expand...

Cracking news! I'll having some of those, most likely Redstuffs front and back, they were fabulous in my previous RSQ3.
 
audi upgrades
There is a tendency for dealers to suggest a disc change more frequently - particularly on more powerful cars where they take a lot of punishment. I've known BMW M4 front discs to dip below the manufacturer's minimum thickness at 30,000 miles. You say in your OP that the friction material is 5mm thick and said to be 95% worn. I would question these figures as all the new pads I have measured (friction material not including the back plate) are around 11mm thick, so at 5mm yours are around 50% worn.

Put simply, the job doesn't seem to need doing at the present - perhaps a job for next year assuming you do average mileage? :calm:
 
WesT-gefül said:
Great stuff. Did they give you what disc size corresponded to the pads. I’ve just looked on their EBC direct page and there isn’t any brake pads as yet for 318mm disks. They must only be for the S4 and RS4.

I’d like to update this post I created for aftermarket pads and discs. Once we get all the info.
https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threa...discs-and-pads-318x30-pr-code-1lc-1kd.374683/
Click to expand...

The entire discussion was only about pads fitting OEM discs. OK, the S4 & RS4 share the same calipers. So that should include the RS5.
I'm sure if you rang them they would answer your specific queries.

I have US PowerStop ceramic pads, but really only a stop gap. Intend to install a set of Redstuffs.
 
SMI77 said:
I emailed the contact in EBC I had previously been conversing with, who today responded, in part:-
Front pads:
DP42277R (Yellowstuff)
DP32277C (Redstuff)

Rear pads:
DP42254R (Yellowstuff)
DP32254C (Redstuff)..."
Click to expand...

Further to this and after seeking clarification, an EBC Manager has advised, in part:-
"We have listed only DP42277R in yellow for all the cars below

S4, S5, RS4, RS5, Q7, SQ7 & A8

Yellow is better than red in all eventualities, Cold hot or moving slowly.
We have not listed red for SUV type cars as it lacks friction if not driving briskly
We have only listed red on the A8 because these are more luxury type vehicles and maybe most drivers would like the lack of brake dust relative to the yellow on these cars.

No Porsche uses this latest Audi pad as far as we know so far"

Bottom line - all these models share the same pad, so effectively are available in Redstuff & Yellowstuff.
 
Last edited:
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SMI77 said:
Further to this and after seeking clarification, an EBC Manager has advised, in part:-
"We have listed only DP42277R in yellow for all the cars below

S4, S5, RS4, RS5, Q7, SQ7 & A8

Yellow is better than red in all eventualities, Cold hot or moving slowly.
We have not listed red for SUV type cars as it lacks friction if not driving briskly
We have only listed red on the A8 because these are more luxury type vehicles and maybe most drivers would like the lack of brake dust relative to the yellow on these cars.

No Porsche uses this latest Audi pad as far as we know so far"

Bottom line - all these models share the same pad, so effectively are available in Redstuff & Yellowstuff.
Click to expand...

Really handy post, thanks!
 
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Having used Redstuffs front and rear on my RSQ3 which wasn't exactly lacking in performance I'll have no hesitation sticking them in mine. From personal experience the initial 'grab' when you apply the brakes on Redstuffs is superior to that of the standard OEM pads. In fact I think I've posted somewhere that the brakes of the '4 didn't feel as effective as it's predecessor - albeit 8 that had 8 pot calipers with 4 pads each side whereas we have to make do with 6 pots and 2 pads. The lack of dust because the disc faces aren't being chewed to death is a really positive benefit too.
 
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@cosmicblue that’s good to know Re the initial bite of redstuff pads. As I would have gone for greenstuff pads for mine otherwise. When the pads become available for 318mm discs. Your suv would have been heavier too which may have helped initial bite.
 
S4 to RS4 = +40 kgs. As the saying goes, life wasn't meant to be easy, our S4 has Pano Roof & Sports Diff, so @ weighbridge = S4 + 125kgs (1800kgs).
S4 to RSQ3 = -20 kgs
cosmicblue said:
....From personal experience the initial 'grab' when you apply the brakes on Redstuffs is superior to that of the standard OEM pads. .... The lack of dust because the disc faces aren't being chewed to death is a really positive benefit too.
Click to expand...
Initial grab is superior - are you saying it is more progressive, so it does not send one through the windscreen?
Lack of dust - Does this translate to longer pad and/or disc life?
+1 on the good feedback.
 
Last edited:
Initial grab - it feels more 'assertive' but no, you won't leaving nose-prints on the windscreen.

The lack of dust translates into longer disc life - the disc rotors are polished almost mirror-like, the lack of disc wear was especially attractive on the RSQ3 as a pair of discs was over £500 with a one mm wear limit on each face you didn't have much margin to play with.
 
SMI77 said:
S4 to RS4 = +40 kgs. As the saying goes, life wasn't meant to be easy, our S4 has Pano Roof & Sports Diff, so @ weighbridge = S4 + 125kgs (1800kgs).
S4 to RSQ3 = -20 kgs

Initial grab is superior - are you saying it is more progressive, so it does not send one through the windscreen?
Lack of dust - Does this translate to longer pad and/or disc life?
+1 on the good feedback.
Click to expand...

That’s crazy. The RSQ3 is lighter as a suv
 
WesT-gefül said:
That’s crazy. The RSQ3 is lighter as a suv
Click to expand...

The RSQ3 shared it's platform with a host of VAG group cars including the Golf and the Skoda Yeti - it's a 'compact' SUV - with 340PS on tap it was properly rapid.
 
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SMI77 said:
I emailed the contact in EBC I had previously been conversing with, who today responded, in part:-

"...confirm we now have the front & rear pads for the S4 & RS4 in stock (they are the same pads). We only list the Yellowstuff for these cars but there is a Redstuff version available (these are listed for the A8), I have listed the part numbers below…

Front pads:
DP42277R (Yellowstuff)
DP32277C (Redstuff)

Rear pads:
DP42254R (Yellowstuff)
DP32254C (Redstuff)..."

The DP32277C (Redstuff) pad was the part # I was given by another person from EBC when I initially enquired about S4 pads in 2017.
So, upon further query, he just confirmed the same pads suit S4, S5, (not SQ5), Q7 & A8 (2017 onward ‘D5’ 3.0 hybrid models).
Click to expand...
SMI77 said:
Further to this and after seeking clarification, an EBC Manager has advised, in part:-
"We have listed only DP42277R in yellow for all the cars below

S4, S5, RS4, RS5, Q7, SQ7 & A8

Yellow is better than red in all eventualities, Cold hot or moving slowly.
We have not listed red for SUV type cars as it lacks friction if not driving briskly
We have only listed red on the A8 because these are more luxury type vehicles and maybe most drivers would like the lack of brake dust relative to the yellow on these cars.

No Porsche uses this latest Audi pad as far as we know so far"

Bottom line - all these models share the same pad, so effectively are available in Redstuff & Yellowstuff.
Click to expand...

Have just ordered a set of Redstuff's for mine - it has just over 9,000 miles on the clock so will hopefully get then installed before any real disc rotor damage has been done and head off expensive repairs at around the 30,000 mile mark together with more effective braking than OEM and less dust too.
 
EBC Redstuffs installed on our S4 this morning.
Have done the initial 50 miles. Pedal feels really good, no doubt assisted by the s/s braided brakelines.
cosmicblue comment 'Initial grab - it feels more 'assertive' but no, you won't leaving nose-prints on the windscreen.' so true. Can't wait for the full bed-in to see how they perform on 'interesting' roads.
 
SMI77 - thanks for the info and part numbers for the EBCs - had my Redstuffs fitted front and back this morning, just need to bed them in now - have a decent trip later in the week (to get an exhaust valve controller fitted) so that should help.
 
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EBC UK don't list the pads for the RS4/S4 - however SMI77 is in Australia so has a different distributor and who are a bit more switched on.
 
cosmicblue said:
SMI77 - thanks for the info and part numbers for the EBCs - had my Redstuffs fitted front and back this morning, just need to bed them in now - have a decent trip later in the week (to get an exhaust valve controller fitted) so that should help.
Click to expand...

Absolute pleasure. Ours have done the 60 to 20 bit and :). Now cleaned the wheels, after the bedding-in, to see what the brake dust is like.
 
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