S8 - ceramic breaks

[72911]

I've just got a quote for new ceramic breaks discs (front and rear), pads (rear only) and callipers (rear only), which makes the Euro debt mountain seem like back of the sofa stuff.

Can anyone tell me whether (i) there is an alternative supplier out there I can use (ie non-Audi), or (ii) whether I can convert the car to non-ceramic (and at what cost)?

Thanks in advance - all suggestions welcome!

[Cupramax]

Firstly... BRAKES . I was under the impression that Ceramics lasted the life of the car or at the very least 100k? How many miles has it done? I'm guessing with the correct disks and you may need to change the caliper carriers as well you could convert quite easily. Costs, god knows on an S8.

[Tame Technician]

This is my memory for ceramic disc from Audi R8 training. Should all apply to RS4 6 and S8 etc.

Firstly who said it needs discs. The correct procedure to tell if they are worn (believe it or not) is to dry them overnight and weigh them. A visuall inspection for a wear lip or thickness measurement is not sufficient as it would be with a standard cast iron disc. Although there is a wear indicator spot on the disc, so you know when you may need to weigh them.

They should last 4 times longer than a standard cast iron disc. Milage depends on use. If you imagine a stand disc should do one or two sets of pads before its worn thin, ceramics should do 4 times that.

When we did the R8 training the trainer puts a set of 4 discs infront of a new polo, while some VW sales bods are training on it, makes us all look at the polo, then the discs then the polo, until the VW trainer comes over and says, ok whats going on. Our trainer says "my guys are just tying to figure out whats cheapest" well VW man confirms the on the road price and it was the Polo that was cheaper.

Very approximatly axle set of standard discs is £1000, axle set of ceramics is £4000, but they last 4 times as long so cost is effectivly the same.

Master cylinder and servo and ABS ECU map are differant on the R8, so would expect this to be the same on S8. Not sure about down grading but upgrading an R8 from standard to ceramic costs £15,000 so at a £7000 option its a bargain.

[Tame Technician]

wear indicator on disc.

once the matterial on the spot has worn away and it looks black the disc is likely worn, and needs to be wieghed.

[72911]

Thanks guys.

I live in the UAE - the car has 85,000km on it, so I'm surprised to hear your comments re the expected lifespan of the brakes. Part of the rear left caliper has fallen off, so that's not confidence inspiring...

I took it into Audi as the indicator was going nuts and there was close to zero breaking when I put my foot down - I had to use the gears / handbreak to stop.

Prices quoted were (believe it or not) north of the numbers you've mentioned. I've looked online for parts of a wrecked car but no joy.

[Tame Technician]

Sounds like you had a major failure if part of teh caliper come off. The discs are probably damage rather than worn out. They are no longer safe to use if cracked or chiped beyond a small ammount.

Also the price I quoted was approx for discs only, you will need pads and what ever is wrong with your caliper + any taxes and fitting. Cant imagine labour is cheap in UAE.

[Sotto]

Hello,

You could give SystemST guys a try. From what I have read they make 'proper' ceramic brakes that are the same material all the way through, not just a glued on friction plate like Porsche and Audi OEM.
Last I heard they were £1600 per corner.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...