Brake advice - stock or not?

[rhythmboy]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, and new to my 2001 S4. Just picked it up recently, and brought it to my local dealer to do their "Audi Assurance" 150-point inspection. (Whether that's worth it or not is another story.) AFAIK the car is stock, it's fresh off a lease. I bought it at a lower price, thinking if anything was wrong it was upgrade time.

The dealer mentioned I need a few things replaced - a rear caliper (485), rear pads & rotors (200), and front rotors (485). Also a lower control arm bushing was torn (450). Their price, including labor is about $1600

My question is - are there performance upgrades that I should consider, rather than buying stock from the dealer?

The research I did brought me to brake upgrades - Brembo and StopTech - but it seems I'm spending somewhere in the $6k range in parts that way.

I didn't really find anything for an upper control arm.

I'd rather keep it close to the price range, but would probably spend an extra $1000 or so if it was a worthwhile upgrade.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[MikekiM]

Aftermarket replacement pads and rotors will be drastically less expensive than parts from the dealer.

The same can be said about control arms.

Did they say why they recomended replacing the caliper?
Shoot us an email or visit our website, we'd be happy to offer some suggestions.

[rhythmboy]

Originally posted by MikekiM
Did they say why they recomended replacing the caliper?


They mentioned that the right-rear caliper wouldn't pass inspection (and that was the only thing that I'd need to pass). The others were "recommendations" based on wear.

I believe he said the caliper boot was torn, and that the control arm bushing was broken. I could have reversed the two (caliper bushing, control arm boot?). I wrote it down as caliper boot, control arm bushing...honestly, I have no idea.

[VRsic]

Just go for the gold bro, your car will stop on a dime!

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/uploads/3053/brakes1.jpg
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/uploads/3053/brakes2.jpg
http://www.audizine.com/gallery/uploads/3053/brakes3.jpg

Impressive to say the least. Stg 4 ecstuning.com kit.

But like you were saying, if you want to stick to the 2g-3g range. Check this out:

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/uploads/3053/brakes4.jpg

2g's for that kit, and some impressive breaking power.

[dramaticstatic]

If you're going to go ECS stage 4 why not just go for the real gold and get Stasis motorsports with 14" rotors? Those things are yummy and pretty much the best you're going to get for the fronts at least.

Just go with something pretty mild and you'll be all set.
There's really no need to go beyond 2-3g's if you're on the street all the time.

[Andy@CDesign]

If you're looking for Brembo or Stoptech Big Brake kits, it will run you around 6-7k for that upgrade. The reason is that you have to replace the E-Brake (so you'll have dual caliper on the rear, one big, one small). The best bang for the buck solution will be to replace the caliper on the rear with the factory one and get Brembo Sport Program or Stoptech Stage 2 Brake upgrades.

We carry both Brembo and Stoptech, shoot me an email at andy@carrozzeriadesign.com for more pricing information.

[Diggity_Dave]

VRSic...that Stg4 set up on those wheels looks friggin sweet man!!

[mullarks]

Originally posted by Andy@CDesign
If you're looking for Brembo or Stoptech Big Brake kits, it will run you around 6-7k for that upgrade. The reason is that you have to replace the E-Brake (so you'll have dual caliper on the rear, one big, one small). The best bang for the buck solution will be to replace the caliper on the rear with the factory one and get Brembo Sport Program or Stoptech Stage 2 Brake upgrades.

We carry both Brembo and Stoptech, shoot me an email at andy@carrozzeriadesign.com for more pricing information.
I saw the stoptech 4 wheel brake kit for $5300 the other day, not cheap but effective.

OT: Andy, what kind of Audi (S4 in particular) products are you guys going to carry? I am basically right down the street from you guys.

[Andy@CDesign]

Originally posted by mullarks
I saw the stoptech 4 wheel brake kit for $5300 the other day, not cheap but effective.

OT: Andy, what kind of Audi (S4 in particular) products are you guys going to carry? I am basically right down the street from you guys.

Hello mullarks,

The Big Brake Kits upgrade is definitely effective but of course the cost will be high also. It is definitely worth the investment either you track or show the car. (and plus the dual rear caliper, makes the car even sexier!)

We carry all sorts of parts for Audi. And for S4 in particular, we offer aerodynamics, wheels, suspensions, exhausts, brakes, and mobile electronics. If you are looking for performance modifications, I would love to discuss that in person with you. Give me a call at 949-861-8863 so we can meet up sometime.

Andy

[skene]

I think the rear BBK is just not worth it.

You do close to 80% of braking at the front wheels. When you start to enlarge the rear brake rotors and add additional pistons.. you not only work the master cylinder harder because now it has to deliver additional fluid to fulfill the request... but you also do throw off your brake bias.

the only way that would work correctly right now is if the pistons for the rear calipers were the size of dimes.

It's definately more show......

[biturbo hero]

paint your calipers bright red, add whte ring decals and ECS drilled & slotted rotors, ballin on a budget, f'sho.

[dramaticstatic]

You could always go with the stock calipers, new pads like PBR Ceramics and aftermarket rotors. I think that would be your best choice if it's a street car and will give you all the stopping power you could want.

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by rhythmboy
Hi,

I'm new to this forum, and new to my 2001 S4. Just picked it up recently, and brought it to my local dealer to do their "Audi Assurance" 150-point inspection. (Whether that's worth it or not is another story.) AFAIK the car is stock, it's fresh off a lease. I bought it at a lower price, thinking if anything was wrong it was upgrade time.

The dealer mentioned I need a few things replaced - a rear caliper (485), rear pads & rotors (200), and front rotors (485). Also a lower control arm bushing was torn (450). Their price, including labor is about $1600

My question is - are there performance upgrades that I should consider, rather than buying stock from the dealer?

The research I did brought me to brake upgrades - Brembo and StopTech - but it seems I'm spending somewhere in the $6k range in parts that way.

I didn't really find anything for an upper control arm.

I'd rather keep it close to the price range, but would probably spend an extra $1000 or so if it was a worthwhile upgrade.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rhythm,

Congrats on the new purchase! You'll definitely have fun with it.

Is your car a street car only or will it see the track(road course) a few times a year?

There are obviously numerous brake upgrades available---all the way up to STaSIS 14"/6pot kits at $3595. But of course if you're looking for more of a budget upgrade and your S4 will be primarily street driven, then I'd highly recommend STaSIS' XDR front Alcon rotor upgrade. Yes, they are a bit more money up front vs stock rotors, but with spirited driving will come plenty of front stock rotor failures. And because of that, I'd suggest doing it right the first time with STaSIS' components;

-STaSIS Street Sport XDR Front Rotor Kit for S4/S6/A6/Allroad; 2 Alcon (321 x 30mm) directionally vented/heat treated/segmented gas slotted 2pc floating rotors, 2 STaSIS directionally vented rotor mounting hats
$895/set

(For reference, here is a stock rotor;
-12.6"(321x30mm) Zimmerman solid front brake rotor for '00+S4
$138.85/each)

Regarding pads, our clients have loved the Hawk offerings. The Hawk HPS's dust less than stock, stop much better, and are quieter than stock.

Hawk HPS (street) front pad set for B5 S4/A6
$128.20/set


For rear brakes, we haven't seen any issues with stock rear rotors and a high quality rear pad set like the Hawk HPS's;

10.1" Rear ATE factory solid rotor for '00+ S4;
$64/each

Hawk HPS (street) rear pad set for B5 S4
$61/set


On the rear caliper there is no simple/economic upgrade is available. A new caliper lists for about $119 and shouldn't be any more than 1hr to R&R. They'll need to do a brake bleed afterwards which is another hour as well. But $450 sounds a bit high for that. I'd recommend finding a good local independent shop to take it to.

The lower control arm bushing (again, no performance upgrade) is really common---we see those all the time. You should do the other lower one as well while you're there. A lower control arm is $247.85 and labor is about 1.2hrs for each(a little less if you do both at one time).

If you need any parts, even stock parts, let me know. We have no sales tax in Oregon(a considerable savings) and offer same day shipping on most factory parts.


Sorry for the monologue but I hope the info helps.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask--I am always happy to help!

Best,
Jeremy

[LI-S4]

I just did the ECS Tuning Stage III 993 TT BBK, with stainless braided lines and new pads.

I didn't need them, my stockers were just replaced under warranty...just wanted them.

They are fantastic! A dramatic difference.

If you can't go for the coin for a new set...lurk in the classifieds for a while..your may find a good deal there.

As far as a BBK for the rears...skip. Especially if you have other things you need to do. if you're going to show or race...then maybe...but only maybe.

If you want to upgrade the rears...add the brake lines, more agressive pads and gas-slotted for bling.

just my opinion...