I have a 2006 2.0L Audi A4 quattro. I need to have all the brakes and rotors replaced, so I'm trying to buy the parts online to save some $. I went to audionlineparts.com to search for the parts.

I assume that I need to buy "one" each of the front and rear pads since they come in pairs, and two each of the front and rear rotors since these don't come in pairs. Am I right?

Also, I have 18" non-OEM wheels which came with the car when I bought it used. Does this matter when buying pads?

Feel free to chime in on exactly what I need to buy, and from where. I just want some decent brakes and rotors, not any super duper, high-performance parts. Thanks.

Mark

 

I guess the logical question is why do you believe you need new rotors? Also why do you need rear brake pads. Did you check the pads to see how bad they are. Are the rotors scored or warped. How many miles are on the rotors and pads. Rotors usually are sold one at a time. Pads are sold in a set where you get a set of fronts that have pads for both wheels.

 

I was hearing a slight squealing on the front right. Coincidentally, I went to get my oil-changed and my tires rotated, at which point I was told that all my pads were almost completely gone, and three rotors were warped. The car has 70,000 miles. I don't believe the pads and rotors have been changed before, because I looked through the service records that the previous owner gave me.

 

OK good start now how is it that the oil change guy says your rotors were warped and you haven't noticed it. As to the pads being worn this is not a problem and just means you need to change them. You should have asked the guy "how much material was left on the pads". The squeal could be caused by a wear sensor which usually makes contact with the rotor when you have about 1/8-1/4 " of pad left. The other standard question to the oil change guy is "will the brakes PASS inspection". A lot of these guys use the scare tactics to get the business. How much did he say it would cost to fix. What I would do is if I am not getting vibration (pulsing) on braking I would just replace the brake pads. If you have some mechanical abilities just take a dial indicator and check the runout of the rotors. If they are in spec then let them go. If they are scored or out of spec then replace them. Front pads run anywhere fron $60-$100 a set where rear pads are less then $60. My 2 cents

 

I had the tires rotated at the same time. I honestly can't remember all the details, but he did specify what the remaining pad thickness was, and that two pads could not pass inspection, while the other two were barely above spec. Also, according to him, the rotors were not in a position to be shaved. He did come across as honest, but of course i could be dead wrong.

I called around to get quotes. The dealer said it would be around $1500+ for parts and labour. I called another (non-dealer) VW/Audi specialist with good reviews, and they said around $1000

 

I agree with others that you should check the brakes yourself, or get help before doing buying parts you may not need. We also sell more front rotors than rears, due to the amount of braking force applied to the fronts compared to the rears. Here are our prices on the parts:
front pads 93.44 for both wheels
2 front rotors 81.25 each
rear pads, enough to do both rear wheels 56.88
rear rotors 56.88 each

Plus shipping out to you. Any questions please let us know. I would need your vin to double check the parts above, but I'm pretty sure you have the smaller brake/rotor version on your car.

 

I just had my front brakes and rotors replaced at 75,000 miles on my A4. The dealer only charged $396, so I don't know how you are getting such expensive rates. Also until the front brake pad worn symbol pops up on the dash, you are fine. It triggers early enough to give you time to schedule an appointment. Couple years ago that same dealer replaced my Jettas fronts, and rears. All pads and rotors, and strung a new parking brake cable for about $1000. The rears had to be replaced because the cable was sticking trashing the rear pads and rotors. Those origninal front pads lasted 126,000 miles.

 

Thanks for all the advice and comments. I called another dealer in the Washington DC area where I live and was quoted $1400 (parts and labour) to replace the pads and rotors on all 4 wheels. I previously mentioned that another dealer quoted $1600 !!

As it happens, my brother-in-law recommended a friend that basically does work for people that he knows. He replaced my pads and rotors for $250, plus I paid about $420 for the parts online. He did confirm that the rotors were below spec, and I saw with my own eyes that the pads were close to zero. One was completely worn down to metal.

No more squealing, screeching noises. All in all I'm very happy