longpham281

hello,
I recently went to the dealer and they quote an insanely amount to replace my brakes and rotors. I have a 2013 s4 with about 48k on the odometer. I was thinking about getting the oem pads from audi and rotors from o'reilley. what would you guys do. I also heard that they have brake sensors and you would need a VAG COM cable to do this. is this true? please help. Thanks in advance.

togatown

Fronts are pretty straight forward, and well within the capability of most average skilled home mechanic and a few basic tools. I just spent $ 330 for front OEM rotors and OEM pads with new sensor. Could have definitely sourced equivalent parts for less. Lots of options for rotors/pads if you don't want OEM.

Yes, Rears do require a Vag-Com for E-brake release.


Here's a pretty good DYI write on the front for an S4.

B8 S4 DIY Front Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement

BillBoost37

Recently did my A6 with R1Concepts premium stuff and spent $440 for all four corners. Yes you need Vagcom, but it's so quick and easy that if someone has it local to you... you could likely borrow or toss them $20.

togatown

Just checked that site out and damn, the prices are really good if the quality is OEM or equivalent.

Pyromatic177

Is this new for the b8.5 to need a VAGCOM? As I did the rears in my '11 S4 without needing that. Did I do something wrong? Lol

togatown

[QUOTE=Pyromatic177;24712033]Is this new for the b8.5 to need a VAGCOM? As I did the rears in my '11 S4 without needing that. Did I do something wrong? Lol[/QUOTE

It is needed to do the rears on the B8 (and any model with e-brake) in order to not risk damaging the e-brake mechanism. I have heard of a workaround out there where you use a car battery, to apply voltage directly to the e-brake solenoid on the rear wheel.

What procedure did you use instead of Vag-com?

Pyromatic177

I wasn't aware of that as the caliper just slid off the rotor. No pressure on the rotor from the E-Brake. Is something up there?

togatown

Seems odd, but who knows, I know all the S4 forums have a lot on the topic.

http://www.ross-tech.net/vag-com/adv...akeTechTip.pdf

Pyromatic177

Man that's weird. Mine just came off. Maybe the rotors are thin... I must look into this now.

BillBoost37

I believe it has more to do with the system learning that a new pad/rotor was put in place than just retracting. It's interesting though because I heard it was for retracting as well.

I used R1's Eline rotors and ceramic pads (stop tec IIRC) on another car I had. First set lasted me 60K miles of abusive driving and the second set sold with the car having 40K miles on them and not looking like they were half worn. I decided to go with their premium line this time. One thing to do if you are considering their products is to look them up on ebay, note the better price and free shipping then call if they don't have what you are looking for. So far I have had them on for a good couple of months and the lack of dust is fantastic. Stock pads were driving me nuts, it looked like i never cleaned a wheel after only 15 miles.