I own a 2001 A6 2.7T that I bought new. I love the car but hate the brakes, I am now on my 4th set of rotors (car has 80K miles). I have had the same problem with all of them. The dealer replaces rotors and the brakes are nice and smooth for 5-7K miles. Then they gradually start "pulsing" when coming to a stop - as the miles add up the pulsing gets worse. The dealer tells me that the rotors warp and that is causing the pulsing problem. This drives me crazy - has anyone else had this problem? Can it be fixed with a heavier duty aftermarket set of rotors? Thanks, Ken

 

I have been told that fast warping is common on these cars, mostly due to their weight. I had the rotors resurfaced about 2000 mile ago and I can already feel a little bit of that pulse that you're talking about.

As far as aftermarket rotors, I can't tell you, but if you are replacing them every 20k miles I would say it can't hurt to try.

 

Can I suggest you change you're drivng habits?

I do this with my Dodge Truck all the time as its the only car I have that is Automatic.

I am assuming you're Audi is an Auto.

When you come to a stop at a light you just heated you're brakes up. You might have stopped really hard that makes a TON of heat. This is a hard habit to get into but I swear it works.

Try popping the gearbox into Neutral while at the light and taking you're foot off the brakes. Sitting at the light with you're foot firm on the brakes is cooking the rotor and warping it.

You might not be willing to try it but I swear it works. A lot of heat is produced stopping a 4000 pound car. I sometimes use my hand brake to hold the car still while in neutral too. Yes, its work but after a while its second nature.

 

Aftermarket rotors ($$$) may last longer but Jim has a point here. DON'T SIT ON HOT BRAKES. They get hot like hell when exiting the freeway. If it's a manual and you take advantage of it, your brakes may outlive the rest of the car...

 

I have an A6 2.8 and I've gotten 75-80K miles on the rotors in a car that weighs nearly the same as yours. I want a 2.7T, but I'm afraid I'll drive it hard because that's the kind of car it is! Do drive your buggy hard, 04eglide?