'15 S3 Brake Pads

[morris39]

Can someone point to a cross reference for direct replacement of the Audi pads? I will likely need replacement pads in about 15 k miles (about 50k) if present wear rates continue. I like the smoothness and linearity of the OEM pads so I don't want to change material type (what is it?) or "upgrade. My service is the standard assumed by Audi.
I have no confidence in recommendations that do not list the trade-offs and/or service conditions if different from standard, just say I bought these and so should you.Please don't bother unless you can provide reasons. Thanks in advance.

[Oneill_1952]

OEM Pads are Composite
Composite brake pads contain steel wool or fibers that provide strength and carry heat away from the brake rotors. The downside to composites is they tend to be noisy and abrasive, causing greater wear to the rotors. As composites wear, they produce visible brake dust that sticks to the alloy wheels which then need cleaning more often as the dust accumulates.

EBC Red Stuff Ceramic (what i'm currently running)
Copper fibers replaced steel in ceramic composites, producing a brake pad that reduced friction on the pads and rotors, eliminating the squeal of steel-based composites. As ceramic pads wear, they produce a lighter, less visible dust that does not stick to alloy wheels. As a result, drivers find ceramics to be much cleaner. Ceramic pads are longer lasting than steel-based composites as the ceramic material wears more evenly.

[MikTip]

Can someone point to a cross reference for direct replacement of the Audi pads? I will likely need replacement pads in about 15 k miles (about 50k) if present wear rates continue. I like the smoothness and linearity of the OEM pads so I don't want to change material type (what is it?) or "upgrade. My service is the standard assumed by Audi.
I have no confidence in recommendations that do not list the trade-offs and/or service conditions if different from standard, just say I bought these and so should you.Please don't bother unless you can provide reasons. Thanks in advance.

https://www.audiusaparts.com/

[morris39]

OEM Pads are Composite
Composite brake pads contain steel wool or fibers that provide strength and carry heat away from the brake rotors. The downside to composites is they tend to be noisy and abrasive, causing greater wear to the rotors. As composites wear, they produce visible brake dust that sticks to the alloy wheels which then need cleaning more often as the dust accumulates.

EBC Red Stuff Ceramic (what i'm currently running)
Copper fibers replaced steel in ceramic composites, producing a brake pad that reduced friction on the pads and rotors, eliminating the squeal of steel-based composites. As ceramic pads wear, they produce a lighter, less visible dust that does not stick to alloy wheels. As a result, drivers find ceramics to be much cleaner. Ceramic pads are longer lasting than steel-based composites as the ceramic material wears more evenly.

Thanks. So if I understand correctly Audi OEMs are composite with steel fibers in other words semi-metallic. I like the feel of the original pads and do not need more stopping power and have no noise or dust issues. Also I do not experience excess rotor rusting. Some occurs but is quickly worn off.
Some brands stress that they are copper free. Why? Does copper adhere to the rotors? I had that experience with motorbike brakes years ago.
It seems that most brands push ceramics without providing reasons. I take that as voodoo , higher profit margins. I looked at the major brands and their websites provide almost nothing useful except fitment advice.

[Spinnetti]

Sounds like you should buy stock. They are dusty, but work great on the street. Its only brake pads though. Buy stock from one of the online Audi wholesalers like listed above or try something else, if you don't like change em' out. No amount of navel gazing will change how you feel, just do what feels best to you.

[MikTip]

Z23

https://redirect.viglink.com/?format...l%3D1%23post13...

[morris39]

Sounds like you should buy stock. They are dusty, but work great on the street. Its only brake pads though. Buy stock from one of the online Audi wholesalers like listed above or try something else, if you don't like change em' out. No amount of navel gazing will change how you feel, just do what feels best to you.

Yes, you are correct on all counts. Navel gazing =self-indulgent or excessive contemplation of oneself or a single issue, at the expense of a wider view. But I'm old and can spare the time.
And yes the cost of Audi pads is not high enough to worry about but still why is it 2-X after market price for such a simple commodity item?

[S3_Miles]

Can someone point to a cross reference for direct replacement of the Audi pads? I will likely need replacement pads in about 15 k miles (about 50k) if present wear rates continue. I like the smoothness and linearity of the OEM pads so I don't want to change material type (what is it?) or "upgrade. My service is the standard assumed by Audi.
I have no confidence in recommendations that do not list the trade-offs and/or service conditions if different from standard, just say I bought these and so should you.Please don't bother unless you can provide reasons. Thanks in advance.

Ill say this - I have a 2015 S3 same as you. I ended up replacing the fronts with OEM pads and rotors. I wish I went aftermarket now. The "OEM" part replacements were not the ones originally on the car...at least the Pads were not. I bought them at the Audi dealership, and the pads were in an Audi box with the correct part number on the outside. Out come TRW pads. Not sure what the pads were originally (as the pads did not have anything identifiable left on the backsides) but they were not the same.
I am 500 miles in and have some squeaking, and under hard braking I feel (i think) a slight warped pulse in the pedal. Super disappointed

[BarryT82]

I recently purchased a lease turn in 2016 S3 with 27k miles and the rotors and pads were replaced by the dealership prior to purchasing. I can wash the car and within a day the wheels are covered in brake dust. I’d get aftermarket. I may change the pads soon.

[morris39]

Ill say this - I have a 2015 S3 same as you. I ended up replacing the fronts with OEM pads and rotors. I wish I went aftermarket now. The "OEM" part replacements were not the ones originally on the car...at least the Pads were not. I bought them at the Audi dealership, and the pads were in an Audi box with the correct part number on the outside. Out come TRW pads. Not sure what the pads were originally (as the pads did not have anything identifiable left on the backsides) but they were not the same.
I am 500 miles in and have some squeaking, and under hard braking I feel (i think) a slight warped pulse in the pedal. Super disappointed

@S3_Miles
That is interesting and good to know. You say that both front rotors and pads were replaced but blame goes against the pads. Why? First thought usually in case of pulsing is a rotor problem. What brand are the replacement rotors?
This problem is unusual and maybe there is a long shot reason, e.g. badly torqued wheel (s), left off centering ring etc.

[Kevin quattro]

Anyone running ebc red stuff? They seem like a less dusty alternative to oem. I want yellow stuff but the oem dust does bother me so if I'd be ok with red that would be ideal.

[Oneill_1952]

Anyone running ebc red stuff? They seem like a less dusty alternative to oem. I want yellow stuff but the oem dust does bother me so if I'd be ok with red that would be ideal.

I'm running them with stoptech sport rotors, 90% less dust than OEM. cold stopping feels the same as OEM but when they get to temp they bite hard.