Hello everyone, I'm new here, but not new to Audis. I own an allroad (01) and an A6 (04), and have had four other Audis in the last few years...this situation however has me annoyed enough to ditch the brand and I'm seeking some knowledgeable advice.

The short of it - awful braking vibration in the 2004 A6 3.0 Q. Two Audi dealers have worked on this problem since it was first detected 1.5 years ago. I initially said the rotors felt warped. I've been told they are "in audi spec." In the interim I have received multiple alignments, multiple wheel balancing, free tires (3 sets), new pads, and an entirely new steering rack but never new rotors.

I believe the source of all evil comes from some seriously warped rotors, and the effect of those vibrations has caused other parts to fail or be diagnosed as failing. Therefore the dealerships diagnose and repair symptoms and not the problem...but seems stupid since rotors can't be that hard to replace.

Ok, to the gist of it - the dealer wants about $600 to replace the rotors and pads with OE. Audi is "covering the repair" since it was diagnosed when the car was essentially new and we've had to deal with it. But I don't mind shelling out money if it is fixed right.

Are the OE parts worth using or should I consider upgraded parts (not multi-thousand dollar upgrades, mind you) like zimmerman drilled rotors? If so, where do I get them?

Thanks in advance.

 

If it was my car, I would have replaced them on my own dime a long time ago. Sounds more like you have a problem with your dealer than with Audi in general.

 

This is a very common problem. I haveit all the time on my S6.

Pads heat up, and when you leave your foot onthe brake, car standing still, materials are actually deposited on/int he rotor iron. You then have inconsistent friction, and sometimes even a visible difference where the pads were. It feels just liek warped rotors.

One answer is replace the pads. Chance is, you driving style will remain unchanged, and it will happen again. For example, I go down a LONG steep wining hill, and come to a stop at US highway 22. And I sit, with my steaming hot pads on my steaming hot rotors.

The other solution is to get on a safe, light-traffic highway. Get up to speed (65+). With no one even remotely behind you, stand on the brakes, and decelerate to 10 mph or so. Hard. Now accelerate and do it again. If you see smoke or smell them, you have them hot enough. This will clean much of the deposit off. Plus, yu can try it yourself. Make sure everything is tight first, OK? Tie rods, wheel lugs, etc.

Grant

 

You didn't say how many miles you have on the car. I agree with 4Driver4 about the dealership vs audi considerations. I think I'd have to get independant shop to look at the problem. IMHO -indy shops do a far superior job on diagnosing and maintaince, not to mention pricing.

 

The rotors & pads are not expensive, I paid $250 for a complete set F&R.

Pad deposits are way too often confused with warped rotors.