The thing that was baffling me most was the fact it's got nothing to do with applying the brakes.

I'll be happy with the dealer investigating and maybe applying some of the lubricant. If it continues then so be it

Thanks again

that's why I think it's calliper squeal and not pad on disc squeal.

I'll try and explain, from my limited knowledge lol:

Squeal during the two states of the brakes, either brakes on or brakes off.

Brakes off:

The pads sit in the carriers with the callipers over the top. After pushing the brake pedal a few times the piston and calliper settle in a way that the pads are just resting against the disc but not applying any real pressure to it (this reduces the pedal distance, if they sat a cm away from the disc you'd need to push the discs a cm towards the disc before they'd do anything, and also they would rattle like mad).

So when you are NOT braking the pads are still in constant contact with the disc, albeit lightly. So when you are moving the disc rubs on the pad and can cause minute movements, this causes it to shift slightly in the calliper. This rubbing motion, especially when packed with brake dust as they pads become tighter in the carriers, can cause a metal on metal squeal (like running a fork over a plate). This is calliper squeal, it's the pad on the calliper/carrier that is causing it to squeal. It's often a pulse because there may be one small point on the disc or pad that cause the pad to shift slightly resulting in a quick squeal. As the disc rotate it happens each time that point comes round, and hence you get a pulsing sound that increase the faster you go. Eventually the time delay between the point coming round again is so short that the pad simply stays where it is and the squeal stops (we're a talking minute movements here). Obviously as you apply the brakes you generate a lot of pressure on the pads as they are squeazed onto the disc, this means they can't move anymore so no squeal.

Brakes On:

This can be one of two things. Either the material the pad is made of acting on the disc, performance pads often cause a squeal durring braking (especially when hot) as the harsh material used for added braking power is very tough on the disc and evectively scratches it, hence squeal. The second way is the pad shifting initially against the piston and/or calliper.

As you push the brake the piston pushes onto the back of pad one, also the calliper is brought inwards which pushes on pad two (even braking on each side of the disc). As the piston and calliper settle onto the back of each pad and start to move it the pads can shift slightly, again due to being under pressure this movement against the metal piston and metal calliper can cause a squeal. This is normally only seen when braking lightly as heavy braking results in such pressure that the pad can't shift or shifts and settles very quickly.

Pads with anti squeal shims do not normally suffer from this problem as that is what the shim is there to avoid (it's a noise reducing surface), pads without a shim will need grease or copper slip applying to the back of the pads and/or piston face and calliper face, thus allowing the pad to move really under pressure.

Hope this explains why it's happening without braking.

Again I can not say for certain without being there that either of these is what is happening, but from what you have told me I'd certainly lean towards cause No1.

Don't forget that there is a kit that is retro fittable to cure a noise from the rear calipers - I had Winters put this on under warranty - cured squeaking rear caliper. Didn't suggest this as thought they'd have rectified it on an 06 car.

No1 cause sounds spot on to me. One more question if I may before I disappear off to work, will it sort itself or is a trip to the dealer worth doing if it is cause No1?

It will probably sort itself out to be honest if it is No1. Over time the pads will probably sit tighter in the carriers and so not be as inclined to shift as much. Have they done it since brand new? or only recently? I'd prolly give it another 200 miles and see, if it doesn't go away, or becomes really annoying, or the brakes starts feeling funny then take it to the dealer and get them to check em over.

Like I said I really don't think there's anything wrong here at all, more an annoyance than anything, but with brakes sometimes it's better to be over paranoid.

With it being a new car i'm sure you're like me and you want it to run nice and silently and smoothly. If it's no big deal to go to the dealer on a morning or a saturday then you might as well, least then they can double check that everything is ok and perhaps put a stop to the squeal now rather than having to wait.

But yeah if it's No1 it will more than likely sort itself in time.

Wow !! That was some noisy info :-). Thanks a ton Schtopper. I'm having the SAME problem for four weeks now, the dealer couldn't rectify this noise though.

@Pixi, could you tell me if the noise disappered later? Or did the dealer do something to get rid of the noise.

I'm from India, bought a vRS few months ago, it's done 8500 kms now. The post sales service is quite pathetic here, trying to find a solution on this community instead :-).

My VRS is now nearly 18 months old although I have only had it since last August, but I have a noise problem too. It has done it ever since I got it but is not there all the time, just intermittently, its hard to describe, like a whining, whistling noise, it can be quite loud,

I noticed it when I set off round a roundabout, in 1st gear, then in 2nd gear and it seemed to be quite loud, it was there when I gave it gas and when I let my foot off:confused: It does not seem to be a fanbelt sort of noise but does not seem to be connected to the engine revs, if that makes sense! I do not really know much about engines, being female!) It is definitely not the brakes

Someone suggested turbo noise, but I don't think it is. I cna only hear it in low gear, It seems to be coming from the rear wheels, I think, but strangely, I have had a whole week when it has not happened:confused:

I have had this noise as you described.

I was one of the bolts that hold the disc sheild on the front wheels, touching the disc break.

you can only see them if you take the wheel off and shine a tourch between the back of the disc and sheild.

hope you cure it.

@Pixi, could you tell me if the noise disappered later? Or did the dealer do something to get rid of the noise.

I took it to the dealer and one of their guys took it out and couldn't really hear anything :confused: Anyway, it disappeared not long after but strangely enough made a one off appearance about a month ago when it got really cold.

Nothing since :confused: