Doing pads and rotors on my Q7 at 78,000. Just wondering what others have had for brake life?

 

Came with factory Brembo Big Brakes, just about anything that is not OEM is effectively a downgrade.

 

Be sure you spring for new brake hardware kits all around and a dab of brake lube where required...keep things running quiet.

Who really knows...Audi dealers will change your brake pads between 20k-30k miles happily, if you let them, and will swap rotors too, as they can't be turned to remove the lip/resurface the rotor. The 4L Q7 is a 5500lb, heavy-@$$pirational vehicle that is still fun and engaging to drive, and so many owners 'drive it like they stole it', enjoy their cars, and go through a set of brakes pretty regularly. Multiple forum members have reported going much further between brake jobs, say 50k-70k even, but that is certainly not the 'norm' on this vehicle, and speaks to other outside factors at play, especially if you stick with the OE/OEM brake pads & rotors, which were developed to stop the car safely; not generally celebrated for their longevity though. Several threads you can read relate to brake choices and speak to overall results/owner opinions. FCP EURO sells great kits and warranties them for life.

The Q7 also has a 'brake drying' safety feature, at least on the higher trim models, to help it maintain optimal braking operation in the wet, and this also is a source of wear on pads/rotors and can be exacerbated by a wet climate, making it an additional source of wear w/o the owner being aware. Don't ever compromise when it comes to your brakes or tires; get the very best you can get.

 

I'm very happy with the miles I got out of the brakes and I won't be skimping on anything for replacement parts!!

 

Even the so-called 'complete' brake kits don't usually include the hardware or brake lube required, and certainly you won't get brake fluid either with them. Audi pegs brake fluid changes at two year service intervals to keep the water out of lines/prevent internal corrosion, just FYI, and brake fluid is generally not on anyone's mind, or radar, except those that race. For that matter, you should go ahead and service your powertrain fluids, especially if you get your car up on a lift to do brakes on it. Audi does not service the differentials (front/rear), the transfer case, or the transmission fluid (ATF)...ever, so if you plan to keep it running, do those fluid services sooner rather than later.

 

I did my first at about 65k - but that's a large portion being city/urban driving. Did them a year later because I was unhappy with the pads I got the first time around. Much happier with the Pagid/TRW setup now.

 

Pad life depends totally on how you use the brakes. I drive my Q7 like an old lady so I don't get much wear, your results may vary.

 

My 2012 Q7 prestige s-line (brembos etc etc) has had 4 sets of pads and one set of rotors I just sold it with 133,000 miles on it and the rotors and pads still are serviceable.

 

We’ve driven over 200000 miles with our two TDI Q7s. A 2011 followed by a 2015. Brake pads have typically gone about 50000 miles. I have changed rotors every other pad change. Be aware though that the lip at the rotor edge gets pretty tall by the end of the second set and will cut into the wear sensor while pads still have usable thickness. I bypassed one set when this happened and ran those pads over 10000 additional miles.

 

Yeahs, is typically last 50-65k depends on the type of break. I had 3 times pad change already at 165k.