3.0 Brakes: What to buy?

[int2str]

Hey all!

I've read a lot of brake topics, but somehow I'm not getting it. Call me dense, but can someone please outline EXACTLY what I should buy for a slight brake upgrade.

I have a 2002 A4 3.0 QM.
Currently I'm running the stock discs and Hawk HPS pads.

I need something better that doesn't blow the bank.

So, please lay it out for me. What should I order:

1) Disc + Pad combo for maximum "bite"

2) Do stainless lines *really* make a difference??

3) Are there any *cheap* drop-in replacements (Boxster, S4, RS4?)?

Thanks!

[onceover]

do you just want more stopping power or do you track the car and they begin to fade?

[int2str]

I just want more stopping power...
Especially in the "bite" department.

Currently I can get the car to stop fairly well, but I have to hammer the pedal to get the car to really slow down and I would describe the initial pedal feel as "scary". And I don't mean "scary good". I mean "whoa I think the brake line just blew - scary".

And yes, I had my brakes flushed and checked multiple times.

In the rain the brakes are even worse. It feels like they're not doing anything at first.

I put the Hawk pads on because the OEM pads scared me, but honestly, the Hawk pads didn't change much.

And yes, I drive, uhm, "spirited" ;)

[Tgr_Clw]

Try Ferodo DS2500 pads.

or simply be like me and get a full blown BBK.

[B6JoeS4]

how about B5 s4 brakes?

[Frey7190]

If your scared about rain... simple solution.. Get drilled and slotted rotors that way water can disperse faster and keep the rotors and pads dry... The link below is where I got my pads and rotors for fairly cheap (I too was looking for the most for the smallest penny) and these work A++

http://germanautoparts.com

EDIT: DONT NO MATTER WHAT get ceramic pads! Our 3.0's hate them, and if you have to really lay on your brakes be prepared for a smoky & smelly show! Stick with OEM material=semi-metalic

[Papachristou]

Try Ferodo DS2500 pads.

or simply be like me and get a full blown BBK.

OP, im with you, i didnt like the bite. SS lines and some good motul 5.1 fluid helped quite a bit. the ferodos were also a huge improvement. they really drag the car down quick. try www.raceshopper.com and give me a referral!

[infernocl]

Hawk HPS pads are scary in the cold and rain, i like my Hawk ceramics so far, but my B6 S4 brakes also bite really hard

[Maverick]

my b5 s4 front brakes with Adam's slotted dimpled rotors, Axxis ceramic pads, and Stoptech Stainless Steel brake lines have very good initial bite and also it stops shorter but not by much. you just feel the pedal is firmer.

for shorter stopping distance, you want to upgrade your tires such as Goodyear Eagle F1.

[dpatel]

Axxis ultimate ceramic pads suck in the rain. You literally have the pump the pedal to get it to slow down. Watch out for those emergency Oh S#$% situations in the rain.

[illaudiill]

If your scared about rain... simple solution.. Get drilled and slotted rotors that way water can disperse faster and keep the rotors and pads dry... The link below is where I got my pads and rotors for fairly cheap (I too was looking for the most for the smallest penny) and these work A++

http://germanautoparts.com

EDIT: DONT NO MATTER WHAT get ceramic pads! Our 3.0's hate them, and if you have to really lay on your brakes be prepared for a smoky & smelly show! Stick with OEM material=semi-metalic

i havent changed my pads yet...but i heard to change them to ceramic

[F16HTON]

Hey all!

I've read a lot of brake topics, but somehow I'm not getting it. Call me dense, but can someone please outline EXACTLY what I should buy for a slight brake upgrade.

I have a 2002 A4 3.0 QM.
Currently I'm running the stock discs and Hawk HPS pads.

I need something better that doesn't blow the bank.

So, please lay it out for me. What should I order:

1) Disc + Pad combo for maximum "bite"

2) Do stainless lines *really* make a difference??

3) Are there any *cheap* drop-in replacements (Boxster, S4, RS4?)?

Thanks!

What is your budget? Audi has quite a few options in a few price ranges.

[Plasticar]

On my allroad I added the ss brake lines and Akebono ceramic pads. The initial bite and pedal feel was MUCH improved. Only went with the stock rotors, but they are the same ones as the S4, so they are pretty big anyway, on a much heavier vehicle. I'll probably go that way again.

[initiala4]

I had Stoptech sport stop replacement rotors with AXXIS ULT. Great combo in my opinion than compared to ECS rotors and Mintex redbox. Those were horrible!! Brake feeling is crap and the rotors dont look durable after 15,000k miles of usage.

[int2str]

What is your budget? Audi has quite a few options in a few price ranges.

I'd like to stay under/around a grand, but that may or may not be realistic. Always open to hear my options :)

[Maverick]

you can get a set of brand new stoptech BBK for around $1500 now lol

[int2str]

you can get a set of brand new stoptech BBK for around $1500 now lol

Front only I pressume?
Any links to online retailers?

[Frey7190]

i havent changed my pads yet...but i heard to change them to ceramic

From what I have noticed, having gone from stock OEM rotors and pads, Ceramic tend to lose brake power (aka brake fade) and so then I have to push the petal even further so that I can get more front brake action in. (front brakes are OEM rotors and pads, rear are drilled and slotted with ceramic pads)

One high-five ill give the ceramics, they dont dust up my rims! I used to hate to take my car out b/c the rims would get all yucky with soot... Now I can drive almost 900miles and they have a mear thin layer of dust... hardly viewable

[Maverick]

Front only I pressume?
Any links to online retailers?

check the GB section of the forum/.

i think the advertiser is Greg@strat something

[Tgr_Clw]

check the GB section of the forum/.

i think the advertiser is Greg@strat something

Yup. Stratmosphere.
I've been running the Stoptech 332 kit for 2 years now. No problems and I'm still happy with it.

[illaudiill]

From what I have noticed, having gone from stock OEM rotors and pads, Ceramic tend to lose brake power (aka brake fade) and so then I have to push the petal even further so that I can get more front brake action in. (front brakes are OEM rotors and pads, rear are drilled and slotted with ceramic pads)

One high-five ill give the ceramics, they dont dust up my rims! I used to hate to take my car out b/c the rims would get all yucky with soot... Now I can drive almost 900miles and they have a mear thin layer of dust... hardly viewable

which one has better stopping power...ceramic or semi-metallic

[a2gtinut]

just call Tirerack and ask for ATE premium One rotors for 3.0. They do not list them on the website but have them in stock.
They are much cheaper than other "brand" and better Q.

[int2str]

Yup. Stratmosphere.
I've been running the Stoptech 332 kit for 2 years now. No problems and I'm still happy with it.

Their kits seem to be in the 2.5k range though....
At 1.5k I would have considered it, but 2.5k is out of the question.

[illaudiill]

im talking about pads?

[Frey7190]

im talking about pads?

Ceramic pads are spongie-er... If you want superb stopping power go with Semi-Metallic...If your drive the speed limit, hardly ever have to slam on the brakes, and just cruise around smoothly, then get ceramic...

I have ceramic rear pads and the moment my fronts are up for changing im swapping them out with semi-metallic

[illaudiill]

i guess semi-metallic is the way to go

[Tgr_Clw]

Their kits seem to be in the 2.5k range though....
At 1.5k I would have considered it, but 2.5k is out of the question.

You can get one for $1.5K

http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/1119114.phtml

Call Strat.

[int2str]

Hmm, I think I may go for that deal, that's pretty sweet!

Looks like the 1599 special is only for red calipers though.
How hard is it to paint the rear calipers?

[a2gtinut]

aftermarket pads are missing "glue" and there will be noise when driving over bigger bumps.
I have Porterfield R4S on my 3.0 set up.

[Tgr_Clw]

aftermarket pads are missing "glue" and there will be noise when driving over bigger bumps.
I have Porterfield R4S on my 3.0 set up.

I've ran Hawk HPS, Axxis Ultimate, Carbotech Bobcat, Performance Friction 97 (race pads) and had no noises when going over bumps.