Does anyone know if the front pads are your typical semi-metallic or are they the ceramic style pads? My "worn pad" indicator came on yesterday so I scheduled a front pad and rotor replacement through a NON Dealer. They are 2-3 hundred dollars cheaper than the stealership and I have verified that they do know their stuff with European cars.

I just want to make sure that I'm getting "like for like" with the rotors and pads. My car is a lease and I Don't plan on keeping it at the end so I'm going the lower cost route for replacing the pads and rotors. Thanks.

 

Take it to some brake place and let them do it with mediocre hardware that's still under a warranty. Just Brakes or Midas. I recently had my brakes changed at the dealership and didn't spend near the money you're talking about, and that's on the same B7 S4

 

The place I'm going to wants $450.00 for the front pads and rotors and I thought that was reasonable considering the dealer is more like $750.00. I think they are trying to get more money for the job then needed which is why they WON'T get my NON warranty business. Also I do want to put quality rotors and pads with quality work as I don't want the potential next buyer to end up with break head aches (Yeah I do believe in carma and it's the right thing to do to get the proper replacement parts).

Also I did call my dealer and they did state that the typical semi-metallic pads are stock.

 

I suggest that you look into the disks offered by Adam@spp. His quotation for all four rotors is very well priced and forum members have positive feedback. Also, suggest using Hawk HPS pads (with the brake sensor) for supperior than OEM results. Further recco using ATE Super Blue brake fluid which has higher boiling point and last up to 3 years, not the usual 2 years. Just have your garage quote labor and you supply the parts. This saves big money compared to the dealer and you get exactly the parts you want.

For example, I'm having a timing belt kit installed tomorrow (includes timing belt, water pump, serpentine belt, 6 liters antifreeze, thermostat, and assorted seals & tensioners). I bought the kit from www.blauparts.com for $549 and my local garage (who owns an A6 4.2 himself) will do the work for $700. This compares to the dealer who quoted an astronomical $2,400-$2,500. Another foreign car garage quoted $1,400-1,500.

Here's a site for pads: http://www.importrp.com/home.php?cat=37 You can also get the Hawk HPS pads and ATE fluid at www.TheTireRack.com Of course, there are less expensive pads if you wish to economise some.

The "Adams" disks are advertised on this Audi forum:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266908 He was having a special deal this past month, so you may want to see if it is still on. His pricing is aimed at replacing all four disks, not just two.

P.S. My experience with Midas was years ago with an Audi 200 Quattro. The rotors they put on vibrated out of their service bay, and I had to have them replace with genuine Audi rotors, which cured the problem.

 

If I didn't have a lease that I plan on turning back in I'd definitely be looking at these options however since I'm not keeping the car I want to just replace it with like for like at the lowest price.

Thanks for the info. though and I'll keep it in mind if my next car is a purchase versus another lease.