Brake Upgrade?

[Roadie73]

Since my wear indicator light came on this week, and the need to do something before the next oil change was confirmed by my local shop, I've been trying to figure out what the best bang for my limited $$ upgrade is..

Aftermarket pads / rotors, in stock size? Been told that this does make a difference..

ECS 3.0L / A8 conversion w rotors/pads - worth the exrta $$ over the above? or

B6 S4 conversion?

Can't stretch to a BBK, and for me (stage 1 currently, 1+ as soon as I can find some cheap used injectors) it would be overkill.

Comments? I'd like to go S4, but need more research into the best option (price-wise) for new calipers/carriers. (Though I'm looking in the classifieds too)...

[a2gtinut]

you can get 3.0 parts a lot cheaper than from ECS.

[aaaudiprotein]

I would go with b6/b7 s4 upgrade or b5 s4 for less than that.

[FourRings80]

I would go with b6/b7 s4 upgrade or b5 s4 for less than that.

same here, got my B5S4 calipers w/ rotors for ~$200 in the classifieds.

[HeHateMe]

b7a4 is a pretty cheap upgrade

[ehfour]

Something to Consider

Upgrading your Pads.

I just had my Rotors and Pads changed (HAWK HPS), and I have to say, it was a a nice difference from Stock. Plus there is much less dust

I paid $600 for 4 Oem rotors and Hawk pads installed

[Papachristou]

i wouldnt get the 3. upgrade from ecs, its not worth it unless u find the setup used... just some slotted rotors, stainless lines and motul 5.1 fluid along with some decent pads will help the braking the most for the $$

[Roadie73]

Been doing as much reading as possible on the boards about this, and all I'm getting is more confused....

The general concensus from what I've read is:

1) good aftermarket pads / rotors / fluid (and maybe SS lines) is the best bang for the least $$

2) The 3.0L upgrade isn't really worth it.

3) The B5S4 upgrade is, assuming you can clear the calipers (and the 17" sport rims will). I'm starting to look more into this, as I have a lead on some used calipers...

I'm still thinking about the B6 S4, but not sure if
(a) it's worth the extra $$ overthe B5 S4 option, and
(b) will the 17" sport rims clear the B6 S4 rotors?

If they will, this is still in the running, if not, the B5 moves into the lead, as I'm planning on using the stock rims as winters...

comments?

[FourRings80]

If I rememder correcly the b5s4 calipers (HP2) rotor combo are larger than the b6s4 caliper and rotor combo. So both should clear the 17" OEM sport rims without any problems. But beware the HP2's are a PITA clearing aftermarket rims.

[topcat]

the b6s4 id not as wide as b5s4, so they will have no problem clearing stock 17" sport wheels.

[mxrz]

i wouldnt get the 3. upgrade from ecs, its not worth it unless u find the setup used... just some slotted rotors, stainless lines and motul 5.1 fluid along with some decent pads will help the braking the most for the $$

Quoted For Truth.

[JVK]

I am in the same position and need to upgrade my braking, can someone just post a link on what to buy? As in, the which slotted rotors, B6 1.8 size or 3.0 size?

[Audized]

17" sport rims will clear B6 S4 brakes.

[Tgr_Clw]

3.0 upgrade is useless. I wouldn't waste my money on that.

[Roadie73]

Thanks for all the input guys.

Now I just need to figure out which S4 set up to go with...

Other than the bigger rotors, and potentially easier fitments with aftermarket rims, (hopefully going 18" next summer) is the performance of the B6 set up worth the extra $$ over going with the B5?

I'd assume that the B6 set up might work slightly better, as it's designed with a common chassis, albeit with a lighter, (much) less powerful engine...

Or should I just jump on a used B5 setup and put the extra cash towards other mods?

[jessefrank]

I test drove a B6 S4 (extended day test drive) and soon after bought my B5S4 brake set-up; in my opinion they are very comparable in stopping performance(s4 = heavier car, my car is lighter, but "overall" very comparable). I even think the B5S4's grab a bit more...I do have Hawk HPS pads w/ Zimmerman rotors though.

Another option to consider is the B7 A4 front brakes (they utilize the B6 S4 calipers with slightly smaller rotors (actually 1mm smaller than the B5 S4's)).

I love my brake set-up. I'm stg 1+ and like to zip around town from time to time and they are just perfect for me. I snagged mine w/ calipers/rotors and pads for less then $200 shipped. For what you wrote above I think you'd be happy with any of these 3 setups (B6/B7S4, B5S4/A62.7t or B7A4).

Estically the B6S4's "look" meaner since they have bigger rotors IMO (but the B5S4's have the larger calipers for looks).

Price wise I think you can steal a set of B5S4 brakes (as long as they fit behind your wheels). Next I'd try for the B6/B7 S4 brakes and then the B7A4's...but that would be my must have list.

Fitment wise all 3 setups I've mentioned will fit the 17" stock B6 sport rims and any stock B6 18" rim...the B7's; I know some work & some won't fit all three brakes. The B5S4's will even clear some 16" rims...mainly the OEM 00-04 A6 2.7t rims.

Hope that helps and dosen't confuse you more.
- Jesse

[t0mt0m]

im selling my car in 2 years or so and i dont plan on doing anything crazy, i have stock 16s that i got fresh tires on for the winter seasons [present] and im just upgrading my pads/lines/rotors because they were in dire need of a change if i had sport 17s that would be a diff story

[Audized]

im selling my car in 2 years or so and i dont plan on doing anything crazy, i have stock 16s that i got fresh tires on for the winter seasons [present] and im just upgrading my pads/lines/rotors because they were in dire need of a change if i had sport 17s that would be a diff story

FYI, the B7 A4 brakes fit behind your stock 16's.

[t0mt0m]

behind non sport 16s? how been lookin havent found a decent price for them

[initiala4]

B7 S4 brakes

[Audized]

behind non sport 16s? how been lookin havent found a decent price for them

Yup.

http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/1073877.phtml

[Blue_z]

Is there anything else that we need for an b6 s4 conversion? other than calpier pads and disc?

[Rirruto]

^ You will need the carriers as well.

Shameless plug:
If anyone is just interested in upgrading front rotors/pads, I have a set of Zimmerman rotors (coated) and Hawk HPS pads with about 1000 miles on them for a good price.