A3 8V 4pot Macan caliper retrofit

[Sve]

Hi all, I finally installed the 4pot Macan/Brembo calipers and 345 VBT discs on my A3 2.0.
I know it's an overkill, but I was sick of warping the oem discs and opted for better brakes.
Anyways, I got the calipers, pads, brake lines & discs installed, changed the brake fluid with the ATE type 200 dot4, got the system bleeded twice and still there's a very little change in the way the car stops. Brake pedal is imo even softer than before and it does not "nail" you when pressed.
Yes, the car stops, but after a continuous pressing of the brake pedal, and sometimes I have to lift my foot off a bit and press again to get it to a complete stop.
I tried with "pumping" the pedal - sometimes this makes the brakes work more aggressively, sometimes it does not.
Before retrofitting, I've read dozens of threads, and I was assured by the ppl I got the kit from that no brake pump/cylinder shall be exchanged.
I seem to not get what the issue is then? I was told that the A3 and S3 brake pumps/cylinders are not different.
I would very much appreciate if you guys give an advice what should I check further or install / code, etc!

P.S. - I haven't changed the rears, still running on the 210 discs at the back.
This is how the kit looks, pads were not installed, we were just checking whether the oem wheel would fit without spacers.

 

[Scotty75]

Is there not some coding change needed in VCDS or OBD Eleven to let the car know you have larger calipers installed ? I’m sure I’ve seen a thread on here , someone put S3 calipers on an A3 and coding was needed.

 

[Scotty75]

A3 1.4 S3 Brake upgrade

Facelift - A3 1.4 S3 Brake upgrade

Wanna upgrade my brakes to S3 brakes which I’m getting the full set for a good price, it has everything but the backing plates. I’m also fitting some coil overs so best to get everything done at the same time. Right now I have: Set includes: disks 340 front 310 rear carriers callipers...

r.tapatalk.com

 

[Scotty75]

See the post at the bottom of the thread

 

[Scotty75]

I’m not an expert but from the post I quoted I believe you need to change the ABS coding . I imagine it’s because the braking power delivery is going to be different with the bigger calipers , hence the need to code the ABS system .

 

[Sve]

Oh please no you don't change anything in software .. The pedal force is always same make sure you have just pads wear indicator compatible pads and de-air brake fluid .. That's it

I have the pads, wear sensor and the system was bleeded - at least what I was told...
You sure I don't have to change the brake pump/cylinder ?
Shall I change the rears as well by the way?
Current set is 210mm discs - what should I look for as of calipers for the 310mm disc?
Thanks all for the concern and for responding!

 

[ChatYTB]

I have the pads, wear sensor and the system was bleeded - at least what I was told...
You sure I don't have to change the brake pump/cylinder ?
Shall I change the rears as well by the way?
Current set is 210mm discs - what should I look for as of calipers for the 310mm disc?
Thanks all for the concern and for responding!

Hi
What was bleeded completely? pump which pump ? what cylinder?
What exactly u wanna change?
What A3 you have exactly ?

 

[Neil C]

Hi
What was bleeded completely? pump which pump ? what cylinder?
What exactly u wanna change?
What A3 you have exactly ?

Steady there matey. The OP is asking for help, not suspected of a crime !

 

[Sve]

Hi
What was bleeded completely? pump which pump ? what cylinder?
What exactly u wanna change?
What A3 you have exactly ?

Both front calipers were bleeded upon installing, and upon changing the brake fluid.
I always say pump/cylinder as I am not quite sure how is it called in ENG - is it a brake pump or a brake cylinder - the thing that controls the brakes?
What I wanted to change was the way the car brakes, making it brake better.
I also simply and clearly asked whether should I also change the rear discs and calipers, going from 2xxmm atm, to 310mm.
What A3 do I have - the topic of the thread says A3 8V, and my first post starts with the engine - 2litre 150bhp CRBC.
Is it clear enough now?

 

[Sve]

I don't understand why you bIeeded it for when you replacing brake kit

Well, maybe because I wanted to change my old braking fluid with a new DOT 4 fluid, or it also does not make any difference.

If you have A3 yes you can upgrade brakes but it won't make any "better" as you said it is just for look ..

So Brembos are lighter than the Audi OEMs, have 4-pots against one-pot in Audi OEMs, weigh less than the Audi OEMs, are able to cover larger disc in comparison to the Audi OEMs, and you still state that they are "just for looks" ?

How old are you?

 

[Sve]

So the 4-pot, 6-pot, 8-pot calipers are just for "looks", marketing & taking the money out of ppls pockets?
Carbon ceramic brakes are also just for "looks" and taking your money?
Mate, where have you been all the time? Why haven't you warned us earlier?
Brakes pads are all the same as well? Please tell us more!
Do I have to not change my engine oil as well? It just get us up to a certain temperature, but it cools down afterwards. It should not change it's characteristics over time as well, right?
Do tell us.

 

[Sve]

You such teenager or naive 25 who needs to sell audi and buy 1000 pound car ...
Yeah ceramics are for rich only kiddoo
U in wrong forum or website

For sure. They also fade the same as non-ceramics for poor people, right?

 

[Scotty75]

This thread is descending into silliness.

As long as the relevant parts have been fitted correctly, brakes have been bled properly and there are no braking system faults , the only logical course from here is the ABS coding changes in VCDS.

You’ve doubled the size of your pads and calipers. Running 4 pots. The ABS system is controlling the power / braking force delivery. The force being exerted onto 4 pots will be different from the original calipers. Hence the coding change is required so the ABS control modules know what is required .

It really doesn’t take a genius , maybe better getting a trainer VAG mechanic or similar to sort this out for you.

 

[Sve]

This thread is descending into silliness.

As long as the relevant parts have been fitted correctly, brakes have been bled properly and there are no braking system faults , the only logical course from here is the ABS coding changes in VCDS.

You’ve doubled the size of your pads and calipers. Running 4 pots. The ABS system is controlling the power / braking force delivery. The force being exerted onto 4 pots will be different from the original calipers. Hence the coding change is required so the ABS control modules know what is required .

It really doesn’t take a genius , maybe better getting a trainer VAG mechanic or similar to sort this out for you.

Yes, the thread has gone in the wrong direction, which was not my intention in the first place.
I was just looking for sensible answers, that could help other people going the same direction.
As I mentioned in my first post - I just wanted to get better braking than the OEM one as I still think it is s****y.
I am intending to go stage 1, and I just wanted to do the necessary upgrades beforehand, thus going with a bigger brake kit, changed the water pump, which was overdue changing, changed the clutch and the flywheel as well as they were also due changing.
I also know it does not take a genius to think that you need to adjust they way ABS control module works, therefore I started this thread, as everyone says - "you just swap discs, calipers & pads and you good to go, A3 & S3 brake systems are completely identical".
But how are they identical when the A3 has a single-pot caliper, and the S3 has a 4-pot one?
Last, but not least, I am not turning A3 to a S3 or RS3, and not looking for 300+ hp from a car that can delivery 200 at it's best, that I want to be clear.

 

[Scotty75]

Yes, the thread has gone in the wrong direction, which was not my intention in the first place.
I was just looking for sensible answers, that could help other people going the same direction.
As I mentioned in my first post - I just wanted to get better braking than the OEM one as I still think it is s****y.
I am intending to go stage 1, and I just wanted to do the necessary upgrades beforehand, thus going with a bigger brake kit, changed the water pump, which was overdue changing, changed the clutch and the flywheel as well as they were also due changing.
I also know it does not take a genius to think that you need to adjust they way ABS control module works, therefore I started this thread, as everyone says - "you just swap discs, calipers & pads and you good to go, A3 & S3 brake systems are completely identical".
But how are they identical when the A3 has a single-pot caliper, and the S3 has a 4-pot one?
Last, but not least, I am not turning A3 to a S3 or RS3, and not looking for 300+ hp from a car that can delivery 200 at it's best, that I want to be clear.

@Sve:

I don’t think there is anything wrong with what you are doing to your A3. Stage 1 , 200 bhp is totally reasonable and not trying to be an S or RS.

Before my current S3 , I had an A3 2.0 tdi S Line. Totally stock apart from a performance air filter. Mapped to stage 1 , 200 bhp 380nm torque. Thing was a weapon. So as I say , what you’re doing is achievable.

I think S3 brakes may have been a better option but that’s just my opinion. Totally get what you want bigger calipers due to the 19” wheels. Maybe a bit overkill and you may not get mega performance from those brakes but there will be improvements.

The other things you’ve done sound sensible, clutch fly wheel etc.

Do what your doing and enjoy your A3 but do take my advice and get someone to do the ABS coding . I’m sure that is what will get you sorted .

Good luck mate

 

[Charlie Farley]

As above.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Upgrades and mods are a personal choice, if an owner wishes to do any mods then that's good and his choice and we should all be considerate, We've all been there so please can we keep replies civil and helpfull.

 

[Scotty75]

Well said Charlie. We’re all petrol heads trying to get the most out of what we have , all said and done .

 

[Charlie Farley]

Exactly.

have a good one chaps.