ebod0000

Hi,

I've got a 2013 A6 with about 20k miles. I know I need new brake pads (presumably front and rear) and I may need new rotors. How much would you expect to pay (parts and labor) for:

Front Pads:
Front Rotors:

Rear Pads:
Rear Rotors:

My dealer (without having the car yet) says that at my mileage, he thinks I'll need Front Pads & Rotors and Rear Pads. For this, the dealer cost is $1,650. This seems really expensive!! What do you think is a reasonable dealer price for this work.

Also, is there any reason that an independent mechanic couldn't do my brakes using OEM parts (e.g., anything special about Audi brake jobs, or does the parking brake message mess things up, etc.)?

TH3PERFECTON3

Got similar quote from my Audi dealer, I went on Audi regional forums and found and Indy mechanic DYNAREV in Mundelein, IL that has great reviews than I checked on yelp great reviews there as well, Call them ask questions thay answered all of them. I basically did the entire 55K service and break jobs (rotors pads break fluid flush) with some VAG COM coding for little over a $1000 using OEM parts I Also asked to see my old parts not because I didn't Trust them but to see how old parts where wearing off. Ill be using this guy from now on only. When you do your breaks make sure to correctly break them in here is a link

NABS4

Without even seeing your car the dealer thinks you'll need new pads and rotors? With only 20k mi on the clock? Find another dealer.

Wza

Yeah without seeing the car we are guessing just like the dealer, but it is highly unlikely that you need all new pads and rotors at 20k miles. As a guide, here are list Audi prices on the parts you are asking for:


Front Pads: $145 (set)
Front Rotors: $190 (each)

Rear Pads: $100 (set)
Rear Rotors: $134 (each)


So $893 for OEM parts at list price from the dealer. You can get OEM parts cheaper from dealers on the internet, and an indy shop will do the work for far less. And most likely, you won't need all those parts anyways.


Or if you can do the work yourself even better. With the rear pads you will need access to a Vag-Com for the electric emergency brake or you can try method being discussed the last couple weeks which involved removing the electric motor from the caliper.

Inyoury

I have been getting emails from my dealer for Audi parts on sale. Maybe you can ask your dealer? 25% off Audi genuine accessories and parts.

snagitseven

Definitely get a second opinion. I just had my 2013 A6 in for its 35K mile service and was told my pads were 8s and 9s with lots of life left. Unless you track your car, I can't imagine pads, much less rotors, are needed yet.

tenspeed

Why would you want to use OEM parts at any price if they need replacing every 20K miles? This is a opportunity to upgrade to better/longer lasting parts.

Take the car to a independent shop to see what they recommend. How do you know that you need the work?

ebod0000

Thank you for all the replies and information.

My brake warning light is on. The dealer's view was that when the light comes on for the first time, front pads/rotors and rear pads are what's most commonly needed.

The car is my wife's daily driver, it's not tracked and she's not really a lead foot driver. For some reason, however, her cars eat brakes. Maybe because virtually all of her driving is in LA stop and go traffic.

Would most independent shops have a VAG Com? Is that something that's Audi-specific? There's a good, but not audi-specialist, independent shop near my office. Of course I'll ask, but I want to know how suspicious I should be if he says he has it.

tenspeed

The front pads and wear sensor will need replacing. The thickness of the rotors and the rear pads should be measured to determine if they need to be replaced. You may elect to replace everything at the same time for your convenience.

The many "stops" in the stop and go traffic situation will eat brakes.

The VAG Com is used to release the rear calipers because it has the electronic parking brake. If your rear pads are good, they won't need it. Most shops have Vag Com to service their Audi/VW customers.

luv2sleep

It's funny how dealer service departments (usually high end German cars) always tell the customers that they need new rotors with a new brake job. I know I know.... rotor replacement vs. not discussion has been beaten to death so I won't get into it.
If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, you can tell the condition of the rotor just by running your fingers across it and by visually inspecting it yourself. At 20,000 miles, I highly doubt that you need rotors unless they are warped in which case I'd challenge Audi for defective parts. It's also a little too early for the brakes to go out that soon but if you are heavy on the pedal or if you do a lot of stop 'n go driving, it's possible I suppose. In any case, I'd get a second opinion with a good Indy mechanic. Me personally, when my brakes are due for a change, I'm going with after market pads and rotors. They are far superior at a fraction of the cost.
Just remember, when dealerships used to provide 4 year free maintenance (including a brake job), they rarely, I mean they RARELY replaced the rotors. It's all about the money, in their pockets that is!