I'm a first time owner - A6 with 48k miles - I've been told that my brakes are nearing replacement and that one has to replace both the rotors and pads despite the fact that the rotors aren't damaged - this is the first car I've owned that rotors are replaced whether worn or not. Is this accurate?

 

That sounds fishy to me. AFAIK, unless your rotors are warped, you just need new pads. While you're at it you may as well toss on some stainless steel lines; a great investment IMHO.

If one of your rotors needs to be replaced, it is also my opinion that you just get both done at the same time to avoid confusion later on.

 

"the rotors aren't damaged - this is the first car I've owned that rotors are replaced whether worn or not. Is this accurate?"

damaged OR worn - to me they are different adjectives!

Rotors have to be replaced because these cars perform stopping as the stopping supposed to be.

Replace ALWAYS pads and rotors => if you do your home work on the forum you'll find plenty of proof.
Saving on rotors is the last of your worries from the long list of concerns.

In the old times there was a resurfacing of the rotors performed, proven to be non-efficient in the long term.

People are replacing pads only - Micki Mouse will be very proud with them.....

 

def replace rotors as well. only cost about 60 dollars for a pair of front rotors.

 

You do not need to replace rotors if they are not warped and in spec. You should get a couple pad changes out of your rotors. Good Luck!

 

It is pretty standard practice to replace the rotors with the pads these days. Back in the days when labor cost was low, it made sense resurfacing the rotors, which I believe is a must when you are replacing pads. But since the labor cost has skyrocketted especially for a specialized european rig, it costs not much to get new rotors in lieu of resurfacing, if not the same.

If they are charging not much to resurface the rotors, and they are within the spec, then resurface them. Otherwise, it is simpler to replace them.

 

I am not sure about AutoZone, but O'Reilley definitely resurfaces rotors. it costs like $ 20.
If you change the pads yourself, it is worth a shot this route if the rotors are not damaged and still hape plenty wall depth.

 

I wish I could point you to the Garage owner's magazine that said that you can have grooves 1/16 deep and still be legal. BUT, if you can get the owner to scratch their nail across those phonograph depth grooves, you really SHOULD have them surfaced or replaced. Money in the bank.

Discs should be resurfaced IF you have pulsations, or if they are under spec. No other reason. You have way more iron left in that disc than a skim cut will take.

Most places, here, cutting rotors is about 8 bucks per. EVERYBODY has a brake lathe. They can't jack up the price. They lose business. Capitalism, don't you know.

Cheers,

George