Brake upgrades
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
Brake upgrades
Hi All, I didn't see anything on this so I thought I would ask. I noticed my pads are getting pretty low, so I thought I would start looking for new brakes before the sensor trips. As I started looking around I noticed some pads come with the wear sensor and some don't. This will be my first time doing the brakes on the audi (i do brakes on all my other cars, nothing new for me).
What I am wondering is does the wear sensor just move over to the new pads (looking at aftermarket, Power Stop, Brembo, EBC or Hawk) or do I need to buy pads that come with a new sensor lead?
Also does anyone have any experience running pads and rotors other then Audi parts? If so what did you like, not like, etc......
thanks for the insight.
What I am wondering is does the wear sensor just move over to the new pads (looking at aftermarket, Power Stop, Brembo, EBC or Hawk) or do I need to buy pads that come with a new sensor lead?
Also does anyone have any experience running pads and rotors other then Audi parts? If so what did you like, not like, etc......
thanks for the insight.
Tech Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 405
From: Sarajevo /BiH
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
As for aftermarket stuff, I first went with Hawk Ceramic pads on OEM rotors. After 20,000kms the rotors warped more than my sense of humour. Next, I purchased Adam's Rotors with POSI-Quiet semi metallic pads. They're alright, they don't feel nearly as nice as OEM, but I have yet to see how they fare in winter weather.
Moral of the story? Stick with OEM equipment. Unless you're gonna spend thousands on a full Brembo or Stoptech big brake upgrade.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
BirdmanQ5 - Yeah normally that is true, but I just checked all for corners and all are pads are low. They are all thinner then the metal bracket they are mounted too. My rule of thumb is to start looking once the pad is thinner then the bracket it is mounted too.
Not sure what brand I want to go with. Was hoping PowerStop had a kit, but its not looking like they do a rotor/pad kit. But I can get pads from them. I would love to do the BBK from Brembo, but Im not wanting to spend that money right now. Maybe next time around.
Not sure what brand I want to go with. Was hoping PowerStop had a kit, but its not looking like they do a rotor/pad kit. But I can get pads from them. I would love to do the BBK from Brembo, but Im not wanting to spend that money right now. Maybe next time around.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
This is my kit from Adams Rotors
1 - Q5/Q7 (Q5, Front & rear axles, 2011) $450.00
1 - Hub Coating (Front & rear axles, matte red) $50.00
1 - Rotor Finish (silver zinc, Front & rear axles) $0.00
1 - Pads & SS Lines (POSI-Quiet pads only, Front & rear axles) $180.00
1 - Pattern (race [double slot] requires coated hubs, Front & rear axles) $0.00
Total: $630.00
It's a good aftermarket setup if you don't want to shell out the money for OEM equipment. OEM was $1400 for 4 corners IIRC. If money isn't the issue, then go with Brembo, they're putting that on the new Q5s anyway
1 - Q5/Q7 (Q5, Front & rear axles, 2011) $450.00
1 - Hub Coating (Front & rear axles, matte red) $50.00
1 - Rotor Finish (silver zinc, Front & rear axles) $0.00
1 - Pads & SS Lines (POSI-Quiet pads only, Front & rear axles) $180.00
1 - Pattern (race [double slot] requires coated hubs, Front & rear axles) $0.00
Total: $630.00
It's a good aftermarket setup if you don't want to shell out the money for OEM equipment. OEM was $1400 for 4 corners IIRC. If money isn't the issue, then go with Brembo, they're putting that on the new Q5s anyway
Trending Topics
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Oh, a note about Adam's Rotors, don't bother with the painted hubs. It starts to look real crappy after only 5 months. You have to purchase painted hubs to get certain rotor designs, but I'd recommend just paying for it and sticking with the zinc finish. This is what my rotors look like, I'll paint them and the spacers black in the spring.
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
9 Audi Designs That Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
2026 Audi Q5 Buyer's Guide (Every Model Explained)
Brett Foote
Ranking Every Current Audi 'S' Model From Worst to First!
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Audis That are FINALLY LEGAL to Import to the U.S.!
Joe Kucinski
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
you have two models for new Q5 2013:
BREMBO front 320X30MM 5/112
BREMBO front 345X30MM 5/112
and for SQ5
ATE-TEVES (ATE Bremsen) front 380X36MM 5/112
Audi Q5 2013 has different (bigger) set of winter rims - BREMBO brakes are bigger so you have to check what kind of winter rims you have.
BREMBO front 320X30MM 5/112
BREMBO front 345X30MM 5/112
and for SQ5
ATE-TEVES (ATE Bremsen) front 380X36MM 5/112
Audi Q5 2013 has different (bigger) set of winter rims - BREMBO brakes are bigger so you have to check what kind of winter rims you have.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
I still have not done the brakes yet. Been shopping around and deciding what i want too do. Has anyone out there used the EBC Stage 5 kit? Includes the YellowStuff pads and rotors to match?
Also with pretty much all of my other vehicles i have changed the rubber brake lines to braided ones. Anyone done this also?
Also with pretty much all of my other vehicles i have changed the rubber brake lines to braided ones. Anyone done this also?