Replacement Brake Pads/Discs

[dthom70623@tesc]

When my A6 Avant 1.9TDI (final limited edition) was in for 40000 gearbox oil change in July, dealer advised that front pads were worn by circa 90%. I was informed that the replacement fitted price was £120.

Yesterday, on discovering that the local Kwik Fit would do the job for £80, I took my car along for the work to be done. I was speechless when they informed me that the pads were in fact only 50% worn and did not need replacing. Did the dealer see me coming or is this the norm for Audi dealers?

Kwik Fit did tell me that the discs were just above the legal limit at 23.18 thickness and these will need replacing probably at the same time as the pads. Does this sound reasonable?

Dave

[paul b]

When my A6 Avant 1.9TDI (final limited edition) was in for 40000 gearbox oil change in July, dealer advised that front pads were worn by circa 90%. I was informed that the replacement fitted price was £120.

Yesterday, on discovering that the local Kwik Fit would do the job for £80, I took my car along for the work to be done. I was speechless when they informed me that the pads were in fact only 50% worn and did not need replacing. Did the dealer see me coming or is this the norm for Audi dealers?

Kwik Fit did tell me that the discs were just above the legal limit at 23.18 thickness and these will need replacing probably at the same time as the pads. Does this sound reasonable?

Dave

40k seems about right on the pads, if not they are overdue, providing they haven't been changed before of course.

Kwik Fit will not fit genuine pads though, so I believe the extra £40 would be better off spent at the dealer. Is that an Audi dealer? If so, that's cheap for them!

But to go through discs in 40k is a bit soon. However without seeing them myself I couldn't really say.

Paul

[smokey0123]

You should of bought genuine pads and fitted them yourself. There easy to change. There is no legal minimum limit on discs like there is on tyres only a recommended minimum thickness.

[Teflon]

I'm amazed the dealer didn't try and stiff you for the discs as well, it seems to be standard money making practice at many/most VAG dealers (as it is for KF). I had new pads and discs all round at about 30k on a company owned (i.e. someone else paying) A6, but would have left it if my own car. As smokey01234 says, pads are nothing special to do and providing you use good quality parts (e.g. Mintex) then DIY or an independent garage can have them done in less than an hour. Audi don't make their own pads, they just badge sub-contract items anyway and they won't last any longer. Spending money at dealer prices is like burning £10 notes.

Discs do wear nowadays, but you should get 2-3 sets of pads to a new disc. You can check for wear yourself by feeling for the lip at the very outside rim of the disc; you don't even need to take the wheels off to check. If it is very pronounced they are probably on their way. If you take it to a good backstreet garage they will do pads but leave the discs unless properly worn.

Personally, if pads are only 50% worn I would leave them until the warning light on the dash comes on.

[dandam]

I never trust the recommendations that come from dealers, in three services it would have cost me over 7,000 pounds if I had acted on all of their advisories.

Always get a second opinion, or find a good local specialist, especially if you are going to keep the car for a while.

[dthom70623@tesc]

Thanks for all the useful tips and information!!

Now a bit more clued up and will inspect discs myself now that I know what to do.

Interesting to hear comments on dealers and as I intend to keep this car for a few more miles yet, I will be looking for a good independent garage to do the servicing etc.

[shabazmo]

It depends on how you drive. my front pads lasted 80,000 miles when the brake light came on, but then I do mostly country roads and motorway. I replaced the discs at the same time since they were well worn. Dealers are notoriously keen to change pads and their 90% worn statement was pathetic. well done quick fit. Audi don't deserve your business.
By the way, the brake monitoring light works on one pad ( the hidden one at back of the disc) only, so it is not safe to wait until it lights up unless you monitor the front pad wear.
For your information my rear pads were changes at 100K miles.