Got 2 new Genuine VWAG discs delivered today, however a bit of an issue.

- 2 manufacturing dates (one 2009, one 2010)

- 2 different surface finishes on parts of the disc (eg ribbed textured on one, no texture on the other)

- 2 different sized opening slots on the disk vent area (there is a flat slot there).

They are the same part number, but I'm not overly happy about this.

Do you think I'm going over the top by asking for them to be exchanged.

I might be mad, but you can't run a worn and not worn disc or discs from different manufacturers, so surely two produced differently would be a bad idea too?

Thoughts please.

Edited 7 July, 201015 yr by cheezemonkhai

VAG use several suppliers for brake parts and it sounds as if you have fallen victim to having two discs from two suppliers!

About 20 years ago I worked as an engineer for a well-known brake manufacturer. I can tell you that its important that the discs are made from the same material. Discs are made from 'gray iron' and the casting metal is iron with silicon and carbon added. The abrasive frictional coefficient of the disc surface depends on the exact composition of the metal. So get the discs swapped out.

BTW, I have always considered ATE discs better quality than VAG OE - I'm a bit suspicious of VAG OE discs since in my experience they corrode quickly and seem to wear quite rapidly.

Edited 8 July, 201015 yr by Hauptmann

Glad it isn't just me then

I did figure different manufacturer == different friction, hence I though it would be a bad idea.

What a pain, I'll have to try and get up there in the morning.

Mark,

Have you tried EuroCarparts.com. There is probably a store near you as they have loads all over the country and they supply Discs & Pads (Usually Pagid but they do ATE aswell) for a fair bit cheaper than OEM ones.

I got full set of front Discs & Pads & rear pads for my L&K for £112 - From the dealer it would have cost almost £160

Edited 8 July, 201015 yr by vRSCarl

Mark,

Have you tried EuroCarparts.com. There is probably a store near you as they have loads all over the country and they supply Discs & Pads (Usually Pagid but they do ATE aswell) for a fair bit cheaper than OEM ones.

I got full set of front Discs & Pads & rear pads for my L&K for £112 - From the dealer it would have cost almost £160

Hi Carl,

yes the ATE ones would have been my choice, but I needed them done on a very short notice and the local ECP and GSF for some reason didn't have any in stock but were awaiting.

I'm running the 312mm discs up front as opposed to the 288mm, which added about £20 to the cost.

As for pricing, yes I would usually agree, but I got the discs, screws, lubricant and pads for £120 all in, so in this case it wouldn't have made any difference.

It's sorted now and I have a pair of discs, but I have to be honest and say I'm unlikely to use OE parts again if I need new ones in the time I own it, as I do feel similarly that the OE quality parts from ATE or Brembo are at least as good in the quality stakes.

Well all fitted and all seems well, so that's handy

Will hopefully get them bedded in soon and will be able to compare them to RedStuff etc.

What make did you get? Was it OEM or others?