Big maintenance time!

[FrankA6]

Ok so winter is on its way and my car is in some need of TLC! before snow time, first off my brake waring light is on and since summer i have had the winshield fluid waring light on due to the fact that my bottle is cracked, so thats on the list...now back to the brakes, im in need of front pads and rotors, im looking for crossdrilled and slotted rotors...ive see upgrades on ECS , which pads and crossdrilled rotors do you guys like, also the car now has about 87K miles on it, and i think its time for a control arm kit, and sways, the car at times feels "unstable" i guess, so i don't think the control arms are working properly, whats a sign for bad control arms?....so in a nut sell what im asking is.

1. Which Brakes and pads do you like...no more OEM crap for me they don't last.
2. Which control arm kit (and i see the ones in the forums)....and whats a sign of bad control arms?
3. H&R or Hotchkis sways?
4. what needs to be done to replace a winshield fluid reservoir?

[2000 A6 2.7t 6m]

1) I went with "Adam's Infamous Rotors" group buy for dimpled/slotted rotors, and got Hawk HPS pads, I've been very happy with the combo.

2+3 - No experience here.

4) Not too difficult, part of the ABS replacement instructions. Module Masters has a video how to on their site:
http://modulemaster.com/en/Audi/A6_info.php

[VJ's A6]

1. Which Brakes and pads do you like...no more OEM crap for me they don't last.
Since you are planning to do 19's I would get a BBK. Otherwise the stock rotor will look tinny with 19's..

2. Which control arm kit (and i see the ones in the forums)....and whats a sign of bad control arms?
Febi-Bilstein 12pc Adjustable Control Arm kits!

3. H&R or Hotchkis sways?
Hotchkis... I love mine..

Get TB done too..

[kelvinb]

im in the same boat, but im also doing a timing belt.

for brakes I seen a popular upgrade is the a8 caliper/rotor. have you seen any info on this yet?

[pit viper]

1.) Went with stock until I can get other stuff done. Will go with a Wilwood kit after I'm done on the engine.

2.) I got the Febi kit, very happy with it. Wish they had the adjustable arms out when I bought it, though.

3.) Hotchkis.

4.) Haven't had to deal with that yet.

[FrankA6]

thanks guys, and VJ and Kelvin , i got my timing belt and water pump and alternator done at 65K miles almost a year ago :) hehe

and kelvin , i have seen the A8 upgrade, but there isn't much info on it, i just want drilled rotors , better looks and should last longer.

And VJ with bbs lm rep's you wont even see much of the brakes, so no worries.

[kelvinb]

I know the reason they 'upgrade' to a8's id the rotor diameter both front and rear are larger than an a6. I think they can be picked up fairly cheap too...

[Gigi]

hey Frank here is my 2 cents
1- unless you have $ to do a BBK, I would get OEM rotors or like rotors and avoid drilled ones. They will warp eAsier and potentially cause vibrations as was the case with my Brembo cross drilled rotors. And to be honest performance gain is so minimal that it is not worth he price premium IMO. Instead just get better pads, I love my Hawks HPS. AND spend a little $ on SS brake lines which will improve pedal feel and fade during mountain runs for example. At the same time upgrade your fluid to the blue racing one.
3- I think both are good products but I hear HSport are better and certainly are more popular for our cars IMO. I love mine.
Hope it helps

[exorcet]

I'm probably picking up a 2000 Avant this weekend and need to do this (except for sways).

1. OEM rotors and PBR/Axxis Deluxe pads. I only use pbr deluxe as they're low dust, grip well and last a long time. They've never failed me

1a. make sure to replace, or better yet, upgrade your caliper bushings. On my old Passat (a6 chassis) the Tyrolsport did wonders for brake feel. No more flex, just solid. It's the first upgrade I will do to the A6: http://www.tyrolsport.com/index.php?...=124&parent=64

2. I would buy the control arm kit from PureMS or Blauparts. Both I hear are good kits and both Febi-Biltstein I believe

3. I've heard good things about both. I'd choose based on price.

4. When i fixed my ABS module on my old passat I had remove the windshield washer reservoir. All that was required was removing the front driver side wheel well liner -- this gives you all the access you need. Just 3 easy to reach bolts I believe.

[FrankA6]

thanks guys, good deal.

[wofman]

Frank -
Did you decide on color for wheels yet?