Anyone got experience of ceramic brakes, namely Audi? Just wondering how long they last and what sort of cost is involved when they do need replacing?

What would you want then for?

Are you tracking?

No point on the road from the write up ive read on evo mag

Just looking at some of the Audi models and they have ceramic brakes..but its all very well buying a car for 10k and then having to spend 5k on brakes..

I thought ceramic brakes were more or less never in need of change?  But unfortunately they do cost an absolute fortune and they are quite brittle so catch one with the alloy wheel when removing = OUCH!   (Need to use wheelbolt rods to ensure wheel comes off hub straight)

This pretty much covers it.  and the comments.

http://autocar.co.uk/blogs/anything-goes/are-carbon-ceramic-brakes-rip

I seem to remember the ceramic discs on a Audi Q7 6.0 v12 were supposed to last 150,000 miles.

I imagine if you had that car and you were faced with a £5k+ bill for brakes after doing 150'000 odd miles you'd just write the car off!

I seem to remember the ceramic discs on a Audi Q7 6.0 v12 were supposed to last 150,000 miles.

I imagine if you had that car and you were faced with a £5k+ bill for brakes after doing 150'000 odd miles you'd just write the car off!

Would ceramics have to be put back on?

Or just regular discs and pads instead?

Normal ones are better for the road anyway arent they.

Normal ones are better for the road anyway arent they.

 

I don't think you can get better overall braking performance than from ceramics.

 

But you are essentially spreading a much larger cost over a much larger timeframe.  You'd want to be putting money aside annually to mentally be covering that eventual bill.  Or I guess fit the complete brake setup from a lower spec car come replacement time?

Would ceramics have to be put back on?

Or just regular discs and pads instead?

Normal ones are better for the road anyway arent they.

Interesting point!

It would count as a modification if you did, as in the case of that particular Q7 model they were fitted as standard.

A normal Q7 would still have very powerful brakes being a relatively quick, 2500kg, 7 seat car!

Interesting point!

It would count as a modification if you did, as in the case of that particular Q7 model they were fitted as standard.

A normal Q7 would still have very powerful brakes being a relatively quick, 2500kg, 7 seat car!

Yeah would be classed as a mod, but itd be a better price point?

Ceramics need to get up to temp before they work dont they? Not really what you want for the road is it.

Evo testing showed they only really started excelling when normal brakes began to fade. Then ceramics kept on going, from memory.

So unless doing heavy track work, normal brakes would be better?

Its not too often you get brake fade on rhe road anyway is it. You have to be keen tbf.

I've been looking at A8 W12s and S8s and some of them have had the ceramics specced. But if I were to buy one for 10k say and then find that the ceramics needed replacing at silly cost you just wouldn't and it would be worth naff all!

I've been looking at A8 W12s and S8s and some of them have had the ceramics specced. But if I were to buy one for 10k say and then find that the ceramics needed replacing at silly cost you just wouldn't and it would be worth naff all!

Still one hell of a car for £15k though...

Youll just lose on it if you sell it on.

If youre just after a tidy one to run forever, its a bargain rven at £15k for what youre getting?

It's a hard one. I love my optima but due to some changes in circumstances I am looking at buying something cheaper to reduce my monthlies. I love the A8 and either a W12 or S8 would be my weapon of choice..flip side, fuel is late teens early 20s as opposed to 50s..

But I want one.

It's a hard one. I love my optima but due to some changes in circumstances I am looking at buying something cheaper to reduce my monthlies. I love the A8 and either a W12 or S8 would be my weapon of choice..flip side, fuel is late teens early 20s as opposed to 50s..

But I want one.

Smiles per miles and not mpg though!

thought they were not great unless roasting hot?

It's a hard one. I love my optima but due to some changes in circumstances I am looking at buying something cheaper to reduce my monthlies. I love the A8 and either a W12 or S8 would be my weapon of choice..flip side, fuel is late teens early 20s as opposed to 50s..

But I want one.

 

Something cheaper? Whilst ceramic discs are allegedly supposed to last in excess of 150k. Audi reckon a change at 200k. The cost of them may make the purchase and running cost prohibitive - single ceramic disc is around £2.5k each and pads around £300 a set. So budget on at least £10k for a full change all round.

A friend of a friend has a Audi RS4 or 6 with ceramic brakes about 6yrs old & at about 4yrs old have to get new brakes...................£2K for the discs & pads on the front.................... 

 

He had bought the car second-hand at about 2yrs old...................

 

Stay away..............& look for cheaper/better steel conversions................

A friend of a friend has a Audi RS4 or 6 with ceramic brakes about 6yrs old & at about 4yrs old have to get new brakes...................£2K for the discs & pads on the front.................... 

 

He had bought the car second-hand at about 2yrs old...................

 

Stay away..............& look for cheaper/better steel conversions................

 

That isn't that much if from an Audi dealer, I'm sure GTR brake pads are ridiculously expensive, goes with the territory of running a £60+ car

A friend of a friend has a Audi RS4 or 6 with ceramic brakes about 6yrs old & at about 4yrs old have to get new brakes...................£2K for the discs & pads on the front.................... 

 

He had bought the car second-hand at about 2yrs old...................

 

Stay away..............& look for cheaper/better steel conversions................

 

your friend's friend has brakes two years past when they're supposed to be changed................................................on an RS4 (or 6?)................................................? sounds like your friend's friend can't really afford the car to be honest................................................

So what is the Service Schedule Guidelines on replacing,?

he did it at 4 years, and this is 2 years on, 

he maybe can easily afford to purchase the parts if you tell him they need changed now 2 years on.

your friend's friend has brakes two years past when they're supposed to be changed................................................on an RS4 (or 6?)................................................? sounds like your friend's friend can't really afford the car to be honest................................................

 

Look I don't remember the ages/years exactly, the conversation was about 3 to 4yrs ago with a mate & one of his mates had a second hand Audi RS4 or 6 with ceramic brakes which had started cracking between the vent holes..it cost circa over £2K to fit replacement front discs & pads..........

 

All I remember thinking was ouch................in fact I also remember reading one of the EVO mag contributors with a lambo with the same problem & he fitted a steel conversion & did ok with it.....I recall he ran several fast cars for track laps for charity money........Simon George I think???