OEM Q5 Brembo Brake Upgrade Review

[TCHUN003]

I've been getting quite a few PM's asking about my OEM BBK upgrade so I thought I'd include some info in this thread.

I actually purchased these in March, but I barely had a chance to install these because I've been so busy with work, school, new hobby (modding Honda Ruckus') and a baby on the way. I don't track the car, but I do take spirited drives through canyons so I wanted something that not only looks great, but also performs well. If these calipers are good enough for a heavy Q5 3.0T Diesel’s that is towing a few tons, it's good enough for my avant.

Also, I looked into the TTRS brakes already and unfortunately I was told that they wouldn't bolt onto the B8 platform. Then I looked at the RS5 brake setup, but it was too pricey for what I wanted.

Pros:
*Rotor size- 345mm vs. our stock 320mm
*Lightweight- Not only are the larger caliper much lighter than our small stock calipers, the larger rotors are lighter than the stock rotors too.
*Fixed 4 piston vs. our stock floating single piston
*Cooling capabilities- I drove my car as hard as I could today and I never experienced brake fade like I did on my stock setup. Probably due to being 2 piece and drilled/slotted.
*Changing brake pads takes less than 5 minutes after removing the wheel (Not kidding)
*They look amazing

Cons:
*none

So after taking it for a long hard drive, I'm really happy with the upgrade. You don't really notice you have a BBK until you really push it, and the best part is stopping hard over and over again without losing any confidence.

Parts:

Calipers: Cheapest place I found were Bernardi parts and ECS tuning
8R0615107E
8R0615108E

Rotors:
Lightweight 2 piece ECS drilled/slotted rotors
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-Q5--3....ors/ES2602983/

Brake Fluid:
Pentosin Super DOT 4 Brake Fluid

Brake Pads:
Stoptech posi-quiet ceramics

Paint:
1 can of hi-temp primer
1 can of Rustoleum key lime pain
1 can of hi-temp clear coat

Brembo decals are from eBay


Before:





After:

[TheHeiko]

I can attest these look amazing. I saw them in person last weekend. The only problem is that I now want to do the same mod but just changed out my front brake pads and rotors. (Thanks Thomas for the rotors and Jaysen for the no-5-minute front pad/rotor change.)

[ed@mtl]

nice. where did you get the brake pads from?

[TCHUN003]

I can attest these look amazing. I saw them in person last weekend. The only problem is that I now want to do the same mod but just changed out my front brake pads and rotors. (Thanks Thomas for the rotors and Jaysen for the no-5-minute front pad/rotor change.)

Haha no prob. Can't wait to see your avant lowered!

nice. where did you get the brake pads from?

Car part kings. I think they were ~$40

http://www.carpartkings.com/catalog/...y/1/id/657251/

[Need4Speed]

Good Review and they look good on the car as well.

[shaunm82]

Man those look good! Nice write up and pics, sounds like a great mod for the price considering the full BBK costs 2-3 times as much.

[Frinkferta]

Looks amazing! I am going to do this mod when my rotors need replacing!....So a very long time from now haha

[Stubek]

Nice I was planning on this for the fall. Did you buy the ECS kit that comes with calipers, rotors, ss lines, but no pads, or did you buy it all separate? Looks like separate, but just wanted to confirm.

[kwbdc]

Nice set up! I'm putting the RS4 brakes on the rear painted to match the front Brembos. I'm wondering if I should put Brembo decals on the rear or leave them without since i'm not sure if RS4 are brembo or not.

[TCHUN003]

Thanks guys and Kevin, I bought everything separately. I didn't go with SS lines after doing some research.

[Mina08]

Thanks guys and Kevin, I bought everything separately. I didn't go with SS lines after doing some research.

Sounds like a great set up.

[VeeDubbinJetta]

Wow those look great, I've been patiently waiting for this post from you ever since I first heard about this kit. When it comes time for brake replacement, I know what I'll be going with

[A4 Centaur]

Great work! Finally!

Can you post up some pics without the effects? Just nice nice clean shots. No Bokeh no antique.

Again, great work! I have been waiting for this day.

[vvenom800tt]

Any idea how this would work on a B7?

[LINDW4LL]

Any idea how this would work on a B7?

B7 upright/hub is different. I'd suggest the 350mm 18Z/Cayenne 6-piston upgrade, it performs better, bolts up like stock and is cheaper than this.

[vvenom800tt]

B7 upright/hub is different. I'd suggest the 350mm 18Z/Cayenne 6-piston upgrade, it performs better, bolts up like stock and is cheaper than this.

Im aware of the Cayenne upgrade, but if this would be a better option with rotor selection then it might be more appealing.

But the Q5 caliper will not bolt up to the B7 spindle at all?

[LINDW4LL]

No doubt this is a fantastic upgrade over stock, but if you're going through the effort to upgrade, why not go with the 380x36mm SQ5 setup? Pricing is almost exactly the same. Only downside is heavier rotors, but obvously the braking will be far superior.

Rotors: http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-SQ5--3...ors/ES2162817/

Calipers: http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-SQ5--3...aking/Caliper/

[LINDW4LL]

Im aware of the Cayenne upgrade, but if this would be a better option with rotor selection then it might be more appealing.

But the Q5 caliper will not bolt up to the B7 spindle at all?

Just kidding I was wrong, you just use the B7 rotor. PM incoming.

[vvenom800tt]

Just kidding I was wrong, you just use the B7 rotor. PM incoming.

I though i had read somewhere that the B8 S4 caliper bolts right up, so if this bolts up to the B8 S4 then it should bolt up to the B7. But the caliper compatible with the smaller rotor from the B7?

[LINDW4LL]

I though i had read somewhere that the B8 S4 caliper bolts right up, so if this bolts up to the B8 S4 then it should bolt up to the B7. But the caliper compatible with the smaller rotor from the B7?

The B7 S4 rotor is 345mm, same as B8, just a different offset. B7 S4 rotors + Q5 calipers should work perfectly.

[vvenom800tt]

The B7 S4 rotor is 345mm, same as B8, just a different offset. B7 S4 rotors + Q5 calipers should work perfectly.

Thank you for the information. Appreciate it.

[jbradle7]

Nice work Thomas!

[crash1121]

Thanks for your review and all the "spoon-fed" information you provided. I'm super glad you're happy with this upgrade and definitely going to consider this when my brakes need replacing. They look badass!

Good luck with all of your obligations and hobbies, and congratulations on your upcoming baby!

[poweredbyaudi7]

Digging it!

[TCHUN003]

BTW guys, if you want to do the upgrade, you need 2013+ Q5 3.0T calipers. MY 2012 and earlier had different brakes. Also, 2013 2.0T's use 320mm rotors, so again, you'll NEED the 2013+ 3.0T ones.

No doubt this is a fantastic upgrade over stock, but if you're going through the effort to upgrade, why not go with the 380x36mm SQ5 setup? Pricing is almost exactly the same. Only downside is heavier rotors, but obvously the braking will be far superior.

Rotors: http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-SQ5--3...ors/ES2162817/

Calipers: http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-SQ5--3...aking/Caliper/

Acutually, I don't think the SQ5 setup would be superior. I looked at that option for a while when I was purchasing too, but the only real advantage was the size, but that was also a drawback. The rotors/calipers are actually heavier (defeats the purpose of a BBK) and there aren't many rotor options. These Q5 brembo's paired with the ecs 2piece rotors dissipate heat really well and the stopping power makes me forget that my avant is so heavy. The SQ5 calipers also look bigger, but that's only to accommodate the larger rotors. Lastly, the brake pad changes aren't nearly as easy as the Q5 Brembo's...these are all some of the reasons I chose this setup over the SQ5.

BTW here's a better list of rotor options on the Q5 3.0T:

ECS 2 piece rotors:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-Q5--3....ors/ES2602983/

JHM 2 piece slotted:
http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalo...=21_56_273_307

ECS drilled slotted Geomet $190 for a pair:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-Q5--3....ors/ES2189931/

Oh and LINDW4LL, I had no idea that B8 calipers were interchangeable with the B7's. That's good info to know for the future!


A4 Centaur, I'll snap regular pics in the afternoon

[G2toG3]

Do you think it's possible to fit 17 inch wheels over these?

[larrylam646]

They fit over my 17" aftermarket (reps). I believe the wheels are 17x7.5 38et

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...psfd87a62e.jpg

[TCHUN003]

Do you think it's possible to fit 17 inch wheels over these?

Just depends on the design of the wheel. They didn't fit over my 18" enkei racing wheels so I had to get rid of those.

[poweredbyaudi7]

What wheels are you running now? Was it the wheel size that was the issue or the offset?

[cory_can]

Great upgrade. Speaking from experience I can agree that the Q5 3.0T brakes are pretty darn goods for stockers on a CUV/SUV. It would be an excellent upgrade for the ~500lbs lighter A4.

However, regarding your comment about using them on a 2 tonne trailer (BTW, the Q5 is capable up much more ), stopping that much weight without excellent electric trailer brakes would be insane and cook them (the Q5 brakes) in an instant....they aren't that good :)

[pwdrskr]

OP: What are your plans for th rears?

[crash1121]

OP: What are your plans for th rears?

You're probably going to leave them stock, right? I've got Porsche big reds on my '91 200 TQA and it stops on a dime with no fidgeting, even through the twisties.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TCHUN003]

What wheels are you running now? Was it the wheel size that was the issue or the offset?

They were 18x9.5 et40. It was the thickness of the wheel face and the wheel design.

OP: What are your plans for th rears?

I'm going to leave them stock.

A4 Centaur here you go:

[A4 Centaur]

Friggen SWEET!!! Love the color!

Thanks!

[dennisA4]

Thanks very much for this review!
My next two mods are this and exhaust.
Just been trying to figure out which to do first.
Since Awe still doesn't have a non-oem s-line valance option, I may do this first.

[dennisA4]

I actually purchased these in March, but I barely had a chance to install these because I've been so busy

Hey another question for ya...
Did you install these yourself? If so, how difficult was it? Are there any good tutorials to follow?
I would assume the hardest part is bleeding the lines.

[TCHUN003]

Pretty freaking easy to install. Only PITB was bleeding it because I think I got a little bit of air in the master cyllinder :/
Ended up getting a motiv power bleeder which I wish I used from the start. I bled passenger rear>driver rear>passenger front>driver front. The brembo's have 2 bleeder valves, bleed the outter valve first, and then the inner. Take the car for a spin and stop on a dime.

[KFizz]

I really want to do this

[Sedan Guy]

Thanks for the writeup and great looking setup Tchun003. Added to my want list

[dennisA4]

Pretty freaking easy to install. Only PITB was bleeding it because I think I got a little bit of air in the master cyllinder :/
Ended up getting a motiv power bleeder which I wish I used from the start. I bled passenger rear>driver rear>passenger front>driver front. The brembo's have 2 bleeder valves, bleed the outter valve first, and then the inner. Take the car for a spin and stop on a dime.

Great, and I just found the ECS how-to video on using that motiv power bleeder.
Definitely worth the cost for that if it saves hundreds on having someone else do the install.

And sorry, another question for you!
What made you decide on those pads?
Quiet, low dust and good initial bite are my top requirements.
I don't track the car and we don't have canyons. My car gets it's abuse during my long commutes fighting other a*hole commuters. lol

Thanks!