Brakes JFL

[QuiverKiller]

A B8 A4 avant, lowered with big stoptech front brakes rolled up on me at a light the other day. Man, I love the look but I don't track my car and can't understand, besides JFL, why you'd upgrade your brakes for street use. If you need to have better braking control than the OEM brakes provide, you are doing something seriously reckless on public roads (in my opinion).

And the cost, all around aren't we looking at 8k, that's 20% the value of the car! That's huge. Again, I totally agree that brakes are probably one of the best investments you can make for better track performance, but I'm talking JFL.

[integroid]

Wrong forum for one.

You obviously have never pushed the limits of a B8 s4....the stock brakes are ok but I wouldnt go and say putting on Big Brakes for street use is reckless.

[QuiverKiller]

Wrong forum for one.

You obviously have never pushed the limits of a B8 s4....the stock brakes are ok but I wouldnt go and say putting on Big Brakes for street use is reckless.

1. I post here because I own a B8 S4 and therefore am most interested in the opinions of other S4 drivers. Perhaps I should update my signature or something to make this more obvious.

2. I don't think putting on big breaks is reckless, I think needing their performance for street use is reckless, again my opinion.

[LJO]

Better stopping abilities = reckless.

[westwest888]

A B8 A4 avant, lowered with big stoptech front brakes rolled up on me at a light the other day. Man, I love the look but I don't track my car and can't understand, besides JFL, why you'd upgrade your brakes for street use. If you need to have better braking control than the OEM brakes provide, you are doing something seriously reckless on public roads (in my opinion).

And the cost, all around aren't we looking at 8k, that's 20% the value of the car! That's huge. Again, I totally agree that brakes are probably one of the best investments you can make for better track performance, but I'm talking JFL.

You only need the fronts if you care about stopping. The rears will disable or render ineffective the parking brake and through a BRAKE light on dash.

You can get an AP Racing 380mm kit for $3000 which is every bit as effective as StopTech.

[SwankPeRFection]

How exactly did you come up with the 8k price margin? RS5 OEM brakes are maybe $2600 depending on where you source the parts and in some instances much better than the other more expensive BBKs on the market for this platform. Also, by your guideline, do you think the RS5 having those brakes make it any more reckless of a car than an S4 with those same brakes?

[QuiverKiller]

Better stopping abilities = reckless.

I hope you guys are just a**holes and not that your reading comprehension is at a third grade level.

from the OP: "If you need to have better braking control than the OEM brakes provide, you are doing something seriously reckless on public roads (in my opinion)."

[SwankPeRFection]

Yep, we're just assholes. Look, we get it, in comparison to other car's stock brakes, the S4 has some really good ones. In fact, the S4 stops so good in stock format that it rivals some other brands out there that are more expensive, etc. That said, there is always room for improvement. Some go crazy and some don't and some don't even use the stock brakes enough to even warrant an upgrade, but to even say it's an "opinion" that getting a BBK is a sure sign of recklessness is just stupid in MY opinion. That's like me saying I don't think you need the engine the S4 has in it because it way more than you need on the street and you should probably just go drive an A4 and be happy with it. This sort of thing sounds about as ridiculous as your statement does, but I can't fault you because there's plenty of people who do think like this. Why have 300+HP to just get around from point A to point B? But the bottom line is, if you can answer that question in your mind and make sense, others can answer that same question about BBKs. Simple as that.

[QuiverKiller]

Yep, we're just assholes. Look, we get it, in comparison to other car's stock brakes, the S4 has some really good ones. In fact, the S4 stops so good in stock format that it rivals some other brands out there that are more expensive, etc. That said, there is always room for improvement. Some go crazy and some don't and some don't even use the stock brakes enough to even warrant an upgrade, but to even say it's an "opinion" that getting a BBK is a sure sign of recklessness is just stupid in MY opinion. That's like me saying I don't think you need the engine the S4 has in it because it way more than you need on the street and you should probably just go drive an A4 and be happy with it. This sort of thing sounds about as ridiculous as your statement does, but I can't fault you because there's plenty of people who do think like this. Why have 300+HP to just get around from point A to point B? But the bottom line is, if you can answer that question in your mind and make sense, others can answer that same question about BBKs. Simple as that.

Great response, valid points, thanks.

I guess I am just wrestling with an obvious performance upgrade I will use in no way whatsoever besides the fact I love the look.

[VR2V8]

Just because you don't track your car, doesn't mean other people don't. There are plenty of people here who daily drive these cars and still manage to spend that same or even more amount of time at the track every weekend. If you've ever tracked the car, and had the brakes fade after a couple laps or just want a faster track time, you'd understand why at least some kind of upgrade is necessary.

But yes, plenty of people do it only for the looks. I have been guilty of this in the past.

[SwankPeRFection]

I think what we should be concerned with are people who put larger wheels on the car and actually sacrifice performance and safety because they run a skinnier tire so they can fit and look a certain way. That to me IS a reason for concern and something I find reckless because at that point, they've not downgraded a safety feature while not also downgrading the power capabilities of the car to be in line with the initial downgrade.

[integroid]

1. I post here because I own a B8 S4 and therefore am most interested in the opinions of other S4 drivers. Perhaps I should update my signature or something to make this more obvious.

So how do you figure a BBK cost 20% of the car's value? I mean I guess there is a sucker born everyday but most anyone that has a computer/phone will know the kits cost in the $5k-$6k range for front and back. Cheaper if you go the RS5 route.

[PsYkHoTiK]

Some people want better pedal feel/modulation (which a fixed caliper BBK does). Some people want lighter weight rotors (which in turn increases response - braking and accelerating).

You don't have to understand car mods. Some people do it for reasons (performance, looks, what have you). Others do it for no reason at all.

Though that is an interesting thought process though. Have/need/want better than stock brakes = must be doing something reckless. How about performance mods? How about high performance stock? Are all high performance car owners (stock or modded) reckless or tend to be participating in reckless behavior by nature?

[QuiverKiller]

Are all high performance car owners (stock or modded) reckless or tend to be participating in reckless behavior by nature?

probably, yes.

[rs4dreams]

I'm sometimes a reckless (and wreck-less) driver on public roads. So what? Do I not deserve to have better brakes?

[PsYkHoTiK]

probably, yes.

Are you reckless?

[jran76]

probably, yes.

So, basically everyone on here is reckless anyway; including yourself. You could argue then that the upgraded brakes would actually make someone like you with a stage 2 upgrade less reckless. It's likely more reckless to add 90-100HP to your car, and keep the stock brakes.

[westwest888]

probably, yes.

I think there is risk seeking behavior in these people, but it's not necessarily reckless. Reckless means endangering others.

[SwankPeRFection]

probably, yes.

You sound like a cop or one of those not so innocents in traffic that blame others for their mistakes when there's an issue and you can find the scapegoat driving the "fast looking car".