Brake Upgrade Help!

[Abenj4]

Hey everyone! Long time stalker here on the forums but finally needed to post something so I became a legit member [:D] Did some quick searching and didn't find exactly what I was looking for (Please post the thread if what I'm about to ask has already been covered 85249 times)

I'm looking for a non BBK upgrade for my '13 6MT S5 w/ APR Stage 1 tune. Yeah, this is the S4 thread but it seems more active so figured I'd post here.

With that being said.. I've got Stoptech drilled and slotted rotors with their street pads on now and they really haven't impressed me throughout the life of them. Not a ton of bite, prone to fade under spirited backroad driving etc. etc. I liked the stock brakes way better. Wanted to grab the sport pads but it seems they're not available for us in an axle pack. Anyone have a solid suggestion on both pads and rotors? I'm not worried about a touchy pedal, dusting, or anything like that. Just looking for some quality stopping power without shelling out the big bucks for a BBK. Also, stainless brake lines worth a shot as well? How much does that factor in when we're talking about ripping through the twisties or doing some highway pulls with subsequent hard braking?

Any and all info is much much appreciated!!

Edit: I stand corrected. You can get the axle pack with sport pads. Still looking for input if there are better options, though!

[Atrevido]

Welcome to AZ! You'll find quite a few fans of the Zimmermann rotor and Akebono pad setup, myself included. It's a solid combo for the daily spirited driver,
and there's SO much less brake dust compared to stock. Check out FCP Euro for their great exchange policy.

I can't speak to your question regarding stainless brake lines, but I'm sure other members can lend their expertise.

[Silver Streakin]

It's not the rotors. Get better brake pads.

I run Hawk 5.0

If you want a mild BBK setup, search the Mecan 4 piston calipers. You can find them for about $500 and they bolt on with your stock rotors.

[CinCrz]

Macan calipers with aggressive pads will give you the bite you’re looking for. Go 2 piece rotors as well if you’re looking for weight savings. This is more of an oem+ setup than an all out big brake kit. But I have it and like it.


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[Abenj4]

Awesome! Thanks for all of your input. I'll def look into everything

Edit: Thoughts on yellow stuff pads? It's not like I'm tracking the car. Just wondering if that's a little overkill and if they'll eat at my rotors over time.

[CinCrz]

Awesome! Thanks for all of your input. I'll def look into everything

Edit: Thoughts on yellow stuff pads? It's not like I'm tracking the car. Just wondering if that's a little overkill and if they'll eat at my rotors over time.

OEM pads have pretty good bite. If you’re looking for something better than that I’d go Hawk.


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[Abenj4]

Thanks!

[Abenj4]

Welp... I didn't go with any of those suggestions aside from 2 piece rotors. Ended up going with the yellowstuff pads after reading some reviews on street use and ECS's 2 piece rotors with stainless brake lines. They had a kit that came with the SQ5 4 piston calipers, but I think the pads and brake lines should be plenty. If anyone is interested in how they perform I'll post an update when I finish installing!

[BoringGuy]

Welp... I didn't go with any of those suggestions aside from 2 piece rotors. Ended up going with the yellowstuff pads after reading some reviews on street use and ECS's 2 piece rotors with stainless brake lines. They had a kit that came with the SQ5 4 piston calipers, but I think the pads and brake lines should be plenty. If anyone is interested in how they perform I'll post an update when I finish installing!

Brakelines, rotors, and pads are plenty enough. The Macan/q5 calipers does stop a bit better, but i feel people do this swap more for looks than for the slight increase in stopping power. For me anyways (not sure about anyone else) there seems to be a bit of dead space off the top of the brake pedal when pressing it. And i have to step a bit further down for the brakes to grab. I have bled multiple times and verified theres no air in the lines. 🤷*♂️ Already use to it by now so no complaints. What does make the macan/q5 calipers cool is that swapping pads are easy as you can just remove them from the top of the caliper without unbolting the caliper. I havent done it yet myself but have seen videos of others doing. Hope you enjoy your setup.

[Edgy]

I've got the 2 piece ECS rotors, Porsche Macan calipers, with red EBS pads, bled the brakes several times and wasn't happy with the new set up until I did an ABS test witn the Vagcom and bled the pump and I've got an awesome pedal with a great looking setup. Live in VA lots of mountains with Unitronic Stage 3 and needed some more braking.

[Abenj4]

Brakelines, rotors, and pads are plenty enough. The Macan/q5 calipers does stop a bit better, but i feel people do this swap more for looks than for the slight increase in stopping power. For me anyways (not sure about anyone else) there seems to be a bit of dead space off the top of the brake pedal when pressing it. And i have to step a bit further down for the brakes to grab. I have bled multiple times and verified theres no air in the lines. 🤷*♂️ Already use to it by now so no complaints. What does make the macan/q5 calipers cool is that swapping pads are easy as you can just remove them from the top of the caliper without unbolting the caliper. I havent done it yet myself but have seen videos of others doing. Hope you enjoy your setup.

And @edgy Seems you two are talking about the same problem with the calipers and not just the braking system in general?

[BoringGuy]

And @edgy Seems you two are talking about the same problem with the calipers and not just the braking system in general?

Yep, just the calipers. This issue can be remedied by bleeding the abs like edgy was talking about. At the time of my install I did not have vcds or anything similar, so I tried another method heard from other car peeps. This method involves taking a long metal pole, moving the driver seat all the way back, jamming the pole on the brake pedal, moving the seat forward to hold the pole in place and leave it alone for some hours. After 4 hours I took the pole out and drove it around. The brake pedal did feel better, but I am not sure if that dead space off the top of the pedal went away.

But anyways, back to the subject. I think your setup should be fine. Did your brake fluids boil over when driving through the back roads? If so, possibly run some better brake fluids?

[Abenj4]

But anyways, back to the subject. I think your setup should be fine. Did your brake fluids boil over when driving through the back roads? If so, possibly run some better brake fluids?

I don't think the fluid was the issue, just straight up lack of a quality pad. You never know though, and I'll take improvement anywhere I can find it! However, I'll be doing a full fluid flush with the TYP 200 fluid that's coming with the rotor/line kit. Dry boiling point is 536 and after a quick search genuine Audi is 509... which is interesting because BMW is only 440 or something like that. Not sure how big or small of a range that is when talking brake fluid temps.

On a side note back in September I was out in Cali and my car of choice was a GTR. Let me tell you those brakes are insane. I was in the mountains doing a balls to the wall pass and even with hairpins left and right that thing ate them up like nothing. I'm talking full gas into full brakes for probably 10 straight minutes. zero fade whatsoever. I know I'm not gonna get that type of stopping power with anything short of a BBK, but even with half of that I'll be extremely happy. Kit comes in tomorrow so I should have it all done by night time!

[eurojunkjon]

In regards to the Macan caliper cycling the abs makes a huge difference in the empty space and travel feel of the pedal. I bleed them probably 5 times before cycling the abs and it didn’t change until I did that.

[a4darkness]

A proper DOT 4 brake fluid will make a considerable difference. Motul RBF600 has been a fav for years now.
The Hawk HPS 5.0 pads are an incredibly strong performer. Running those up front and Hella/Pagids in the rear, as they have a sharp bite. Keeps the rear squat during aggressive braking.