Brakes & Rotors

[audimanstan]

Ive always ran OEM for breaks and rotors want to try something different. Curious as to what are you guys running as your brakes & rotors combination. After reading extensive amount of forums, I still dont know what would be a good combination of brakes and rotors. Ive read a lot of guys (different models) running on the ECS cross and drilled rotors + Hawk HPS. Is anyone running that set up with the A6 C6?

More than likely I will be going with the ECS rotors over Adams. After all the forums I have read there is no defined answer as to why Adams are better quality than ECS. Basically when you are buying Adams you are paying extra $150 for the exclusivity of having rotors made specifically to your request and patterns. Ive heard a lot of pros about both products and very few cons. (Correct me if I am wrong!)

As for breaks pads I always ran OEM, what would be the best break pad choice for the aftermarket rotors? Or in general what are the best quality brake pads?

(Most important is that I still want to stop on a dime! Second is to have no noise! Third, it would be nice to have less dust brakes and rust.(OEM gives out tons dust and rust!))

[Dutch_A6]

First time I needed to replace my rotors and pads I went with R1 cross drilled and slotted rotors with posi quiet ceramic pads, no complaints from that setup at all. This last time I went with Adam's rotors in the same pattern since the price was pretty much the same and stick with the posi quiet pads though I know a lot of people use the akebono ceramic pads and have given glittering reviews on those too.

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[SinCityA6]

I am running Adams rotors work Akebono Euro pads. I love the setup and have ZERO issues.


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[LINDW4LL]

Ive always ran OEM for breaks and rotors want to try something different. Curious as to what are you guys running as your brakes & rotors combination. After reading extensive amount of forums, I still dont know what would be a good combination of brakes and rotors. Ive read a lot of guys (different models) running on the ECS cross and drilled rotors + Hawk HPS. Is anyone running that set up with the A6 C6?

More than likely I will be going with the ECS rotors over Adams. After all the forums I have read there is no defined answer as to why Adams are better quality than ECS. Basically when you are buying Adams you are paying extra $150 for the exclusivity of having rotors made specifically to your request and patterns. Ive heard a lot of pros about both products and very few cons. (Correct me if I am wrong!)

This is accurate. Adams simply takes blank rotors made by other manufacturers and machines the patterns into them (and also puts a coating on some, I believe). Prices are a bit higher than most, as you've found.

Stoptech rotors are a good option, too. They're offered in drilled, slotted, or a combination of both, and come in roughly $75 cheaper for the set of four (compared to Adam's), with shipping. I'm sure ECS rotors are a fine option, too.

[Purpleaardvark]

I've stock disks on my 07 S6 ( or rotors as you chaps across the pond refer to them) but have EBC Yellow pads. I tried the EBC Reds but for my daily drive of stop start commuting would not get warm enough to work properly in winter and on the one and only stretch of road where I could open the car up they were less than useless, opening the door might have stopped me quicker!! The yellows are great pads and a very significant improvement on the OEM pads and work really well under normal diving conditions and when driving in three figure territory they feel very powerful and secure.

[sun_dance]

I run Brembo NOS (new old stock - made in Italy) rotors and Akebono pads...great stopping and very little to no brake dust...love them

[LINDW4LL]

I've stock disks on my 07 S6 ( or rotors as you chaps across the pond refer to them) but have EBC Yellow pads. I tried the EBC Reds but for my daily drive of stop start commuting would not get warm enough to work properly in winter and on the one and only stretch of road where I could open the car up they were less than useless, opening the door might have stopped me quicker!! The yellows are great pads and a very significant improvement on the OEM pads and work really well under normal diving conditions and when driving in three figure territory they feel very powerful and secure.

Very weird since the Yellowstuff pads are optimized for a higher temperature range than the Reds. The Redstuff should have had more cold bite, while the Yellow should have less cold bite but better fade resistance at higher temps.

Either way, I'm glad you found something that works well and that you're enjoying your setup.

[M3andAMG]

I just replaced both front and rear pads with posi quiet ceramic pads with stock rotors and so far so good. You don't get as good as a bite as the oem pads but the reduction in brake dust is well worth it. Only issue i'm having is that the brake pad warning light won't go away after replacing the sensors. If anyone can chime in if a vag com is needed to reset this or it should go away on its own.

[D's Avant]

I have the ECS rotors and the Akebono pads and I'm very happy.

[Purpleaardvark]

Very weird since the Yellowstuff pads are optimized for a higher temperature range than the Reds. The Redstuff should have had more cold bite, while the Yellow should have less cold bite but better fade resistance at higher temps.

Either way, I'm glad you found something that works well and that you're enjoying your setup.

That's what I would have thought too but I spoke to their tech guru Bart and apparently they've revised the formulation of the yellow's and it effectively makes the Red's redundant

[cal3thousand]

I have some crap that the PO put on there that is squealing like a stuck pig at lights. The rotors look decent so I won't be replacing them yet, but I did buy a full set of Akebono Euros ( I put them on all my cars), new Carlson clips and lube. I will do a full bleed and replace all pads/clips next weekend. Maybe new rotors next pad set. I'm saving for suspension.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I have the ECS rotors and the Akebono pads and I'm very happy.

Thanks for the order! Glad you are enjoying them.

Jason

[jbrentd]

+1 here on the Akebono pads. Never used them before this car, but I'm a big fan.

[Bklynjay]

Background: Daily driver, neverplan on track, spirited driving here and there. But usually be on street, Belt Pkwy and ugly ass BQE. Occasional highway drives to Virginia or Rhode Island. You can see GIAC Stage I , maybe Stage 2 this summer.

Leaning towards either ECS slotted, Stoptech Slotted or EBC slotted (if they make one for us) but pads is up in the air. Priorities for pads are NO noise, bite, then dust. Was thinking of EBC Red Stuff or Hawks but heard horror stories. Then Akebono Euro Ceramic but heard the bite during cold weather for ceramics aren't great. NYC can have bad winters.

More input would be great!

[JPJ2007]

Be aware, if you're doing them yourself. When I did mine on my 2006 A6 S-Line, I didn't realize I needed vagcom to electronically push the pistons back in on my rear brakes. You could not do it manually or by hand. It had to be by the computer.
Maybe because I had the Electro Magnetic Rears, but just a heads up.

[cal3thousand]

Background: Daily driver, neverplan on track, spirited driving here and there. But usually be on street, Belt Pkwy and ugly ass BQE. Occasional highway drives to Virginia or Rhode Island. You can see GIAC Stage I , maybe Stage 2 this summer.

Leaning towards either ECS slotted, Stoptech Slotted or EBC slotted (if they make one for us) but pads is up in the air. Priorities for pads are NO noise, bite, then dust. Was thinking of EBC Red Stuff or Hawks but heard horror stories. Then Akebono Euro Ceramic but heard the bite during cold weather for ceramics aren't great. NYC can have bad winters.

More input would be great!

Akebonos have never been about strong initial bite, but they have a good consistent and linear build up of stopping power. I think their biggest draw is the low dust and noise. They certainly will not have the bite of a semi-metallic pad, but the dust will be considerably lessened.

BTW, I just found an unopened bottle of 'illegal' ATE Super Blue in the back of my storage

[SinCityA6]

Background: Daily driver, neverplan on track, spirited driving here and there. But usually be on street, Belt Pkwy and ugly ass BQE. Occasional highway drives to Virginia or Rhode Island. You can see GIAC Stage I , maybe Stage 2 this summer.

Leaning towards either ECS slotted, Stoptech Slotted or EBC slotted (if they make one for us) but pads is up in the air. Priorities for pads are NO noise, bite, then dust. Was thinking of EBC Red Stuff or Hawks but heard horror stories. Then Akebono Euro Ceramic but heard the bite during cold weather for ceramics aren't great. NYC can have bad winters.

More input would be great!

Based on how you described your driving, I would go with the Akebono pads. I have them on my car (using Adams Rotors) and love them. I wont do any different pads.

[Bklynjay]

Based on how you described your driving, I would go with the Akebono pads. I have them on my car (using Adams Rotors) and love them. I wont do any different pads.

Thanks for the advice. With that said, I am changing only the front right now but would I need vag-com to do it myself? I was under the impression for the front there are no special tools needed except pushing the caliper pistons back.

Now leaning towards Akebono Euro Ceramic from above suggestions. It also has the sensor built in so that's a plus.

Is this the right Part Number for Akebono's EUR1111?

[ManyAudis]

No special tools are required for the front pads and rotors.

[Dutch_A6]

Correct, for the front you can do them but due to the electronic brakes in the rear you need a VAGCOM to push the rear pistons in and cannot force it by hand.

[cal3thousand]

If you're not afraid of 12V, it can be done without VAGCOM:

http://www.a5oc.com/forums/a5-s5-top...b-without.html

(basically involves sending 12V to the circuit at the motor and checking that you have polarity right)

[Trifecta517]

About to put on Zimmerman rotors with Brembo and textar pads on my A6. Going to use my $20 Bluetooth OBD from Carista for the EPB.


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[sswari]

I am running Adams rotors work Akebono Euro pads. I love the setup and have ZERO issues.


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Which drill slot dimple pattern?

[stuffinder]

Akebono pads are great for avoiding dust build up BUT if Emergency/Panic stop situations are high on your priority list I would avoid them! I've used them on RWD 6cyl Volvo's and B5A4 & C5A6 Avant & they're very quiet & smooth but DO NOT give me the instant bite I want when avoiding whitetail deer & manure spreaders which abound on our poor secondary roads in Central NY! I've been very happy with Zimmerman rotors & Textar OEM type pads! Dirty but safe!

[SinCityA6]

Akebono pads are great for avoiding dust build up BUT if Emergency/Panic stop situations are high on your priority list I would avoid them! I've used them on RWD 6cyl Volvo's and B5A4 & C5A6 Avant & they're very quiet & smooth but DO NOT give me the instant bite I want when avoiding whitetail deer & manure spreaders which abound on our poor secondary roads in Central NY! I've been very happy with Zimmerman rotors & Textar OEM type pads! Dirty but safe!

I have not experienced any issues with panic stops with my Akebono pads. I have had a few instances where I have had to stand my car on its nose to avoid nailing some stupid driver not paying attention. May be climate/temp related as you are in Central NY (humid and cold) whereas I am in the desert (dry and generally warm).


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[akingzkid]

Akebono pads are great for avoiding dust build up BUT if Emergency/Panic stop situations are high on your priority list I would avoid them! I've used them on RWD 6cyl Volvo's and B5A4 & C5A6 Avant & they're very quiet & smooth but DO NOT give me the instant bite I want when avoiding whitetail deer & manure spreaders which abound on our poor secondary roads in Central NY! I've been very happy with Zimmerman rotors & Textar OEM type pads! Dirty but safe!

Thanks for the feedback.

[akingzkid]

I have not experienced any issues with panic stops with my Akebono pads. I have had a few instances where I have had to stand my car on its nose to avoid nailing some stupid driver not paying attention. May be climate/temp related as you are in Central NY (humid and cold) whereas I am in the desert (dry and generally warm).


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Thanks for the feedback SinCity. I am in a climate closer to stuffinder since I am in VA. But I think I am willing to take my chances with the akebono because I HATE the brake dust that I am getting from the OEM ones. I appreciate stuffinder's input but I don't think the akebono would be "unsafe".

[juniorcruzer]

R1 concepts drilled and slotted with the OEMP pads that they sell....after initial break in, bite is like OEM, still a bit dusty, but love having to pull the eyeballs off the dash when you mash the brakes.

Jon

[cal3thousand]

Thanks for the feedback SinCity. I am in a climate closer to stuffinder since I am in VA. But I think I am willing to take my chances with the akebono because I HATE the brake dust that I am getting from the OEM ones. I appreciate stuffinder's input but I don't think the akebono would be "unsafe".

They aren't unsafe, it's just that their pressure curve is different from semi-metallics. True, that you don't get the same initial bite and will require a little more pedal travel to reach the same braking force, but they should not be considered less safe. In a panic stop situation where you are reaching into the dynamic friction zone of the tires during ABS, it makes no difference. What 'may' make a difference is how the car is able to modulate the brake force to keep the wheels from slipping.

We'd have to do some extensive scientific tests to get to that conclusion, though.

Here's a good article with some testing done. Conclusion: Ceramics are less consistent than semi-metallics, but mostly in racing type conditions where heat will build up in the system. http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/a...etails?id=1569

[akingzkid]

They aren't unsafe, it's just that their pressure curve is different from semi-metallics. True, that you don't get the same initial bite and will require a little more pedal travel to reach the same braking force, but they should not be considered less safe. In a panic stop situation where you are reaching into the dynamic friction zone of the tires during ABS, it makes no difference. What 'may' make a difference is how the car is able to modulate the brake force to keep the wheels from slipping.

We'd have to do some extensive scientific tests to get to that conclusion, though.

Here's a good article with some testing done. Conclusion: Ceramics are less consistent than semi-metallics, but mostly in racing type conditions where heat will build up in the system. http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/a...etails?id=1569

Thanks Cal.