It just came on this morning. The car has 68,3xx miles in it, Here's what I know from carfax.
5/2/05 - 25,183 miles - rear pads replaced
12/19/05 - 37.092 miles - front pads replaced
11/15/06 - 55,339 miles - rear brakes serviced/adjusted

Now a bunch of questions:
How long should brake pads last?
Will a VAG-com be able to tell me which sensor was tripped/which pads need to be replaced?
How long can I drive the car like this before it becomes dangerous?
Is pad replacement on these cars a DIY job like it is on my Mustang, or do I need special tools?
How much should a replacment job cost me if I get it done ata shop?
I know everyone has different opions, but what's my best choice for a replacement pad if I'm looking for long life and low brake dust in a street-only car?
Sorry for all the questions, but thanks for the help!!!
-Jeremy

 

After my light came on I drove another hundred miles or so and ate half-way through the sensor. I wouldn't ignore the problem. Get those puppies replaced

Here is the B5 S4 procedure. I think some A6s share brake design with S4s. http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel39.shtml

 

1. Depends upon your driving style and where you drive. 43k is a little lowfor front pads but not out of the question. Car Fax showing rear pads at 25k indicates a problem - did someone drive around with the parking brake on??? And origional front pads changed at 37K -did the previous owner drive around with his foot on the brake? Who-ever owner the car was tough on brakes!!!!

2. Fronts 50 -60 K sometimes more- rears 80 to 100 plus.

3. NO

4. The pads have a wire in them that gets cut when it wears thru. When it is cut there isabout1/8 to 3/16 inch of pad left so it is not dangerous yet. I would guess that you have a few thousand miles left if the pads are wearing evenly. BUT if they are not even (inside vs outside pad) you could have less or already in trouble.

5. You can do it yourself -- fronts are easy - just make sure the slides are free . I usually remove the rusted lip on the rotors with my hand grinder - or put new rotors on when I do the pads. Rears require that you turn the pistons as you compress them. A special tool available at Autozoneand other places makes the job easy - just make sure the slides are free. If you run into a bad caliper consider getting a rebuilt one for about $110 to $130 depending upon what you have.

6. Depends upon the shop and how much they want to stiff you. It can run from $100 per axle for just pads to over $600 per axle if they do calipers and rotors.

7. I see some recommend the ceramic pads from Tirerack for low dust -- but don't have any experience with them.

 

Thanks for taking the time to help. I called the shop and they said the same thing about being too early for replacement. He suggested one of the wires or plugs might've been damaged with ice or frozen snow debris. I'll jack it up and take a look before I bring it in... but I was glad he didn't just have me bring it in and replace unneccesary stuff...

 

mine just came on also ive got about 85,000 on mine i called the dealership to replace cause its very cold here they said 500 just for labor to do front and rear thats not including parts i almost crapped myself when he said that.... also another question off subject but does ne one no where i can get a replacement mirror sum1 hit mine in the parking lot at work and cracked it.....thanx

 

call Chris Semple at Force Five Auto in Concord NH to see if he has a used one. 603-223-6700. He usually sells the whole assembly - not just the mirror

 

Will the warning light come on if just the rears go out? Mine went out about a month or 2 ago and the only warning I got was the pads grinding on the rotors!! I had someone install them but bought myown parts! The rotors ended up being $59 a piece(they were cheaper but the hub was to big so had to have expensive ones) and the pads were like $40. I think $200.00 for labor!

 

I have a 2002a6 i didn't know I had brake sensors?

 

well I jacked it up and looked. I don't see anthing disconnected, ripped, torn, frayed or otherwise. I'd be SHOCKED if 37K pads went bad this early! I guess I'll bring it in and have them look...
If it's just a bum code, would a VAG-com just clear it for me?

 

The dealer did rear brake pads on mine at 42k and I had to get all four replaced at 101k, including rear rotors. But I do a lot of highway driving.