What Calipers (appearance only) for 2014 A5 S-Line?

[jab23]

Okay...I'm sure this has been discussed to death and I've done some searching, but lately the calipers, rusted rotor hats and nasty dust guards on my wife's otherwise really nice A5 S-line are driving me nuts. She loves the car and will likely have it for a few more years as she drives very little. She also could care less what the brakes look like so this is all me and wanting them to look better. I've thought about painting the calipers, but they just aren't nice calipers, Very pitted and rough with no smooth surface for a decal of any sorts. I don't have the means to pull them all of and go at them with a grinder/sander to clean them up. So...

1. Is there a reasonably priced kit that covers all 4 corners? Calipers and rotors?

2. Does it still hold true that you can't really do anything with the rear calipers due to electric parking brake?

3. Am I an idiot for even considering this given there is no performance need here...only appearance?

Anyway, I'm not sure I'll do anything at all. Just curious on people's thoughts. Appreciate any input.

[aztechian]

Depends on your definition of reasonable
1. Not all 4 corners (see #2). The Porsche macan calipers are about $250/ea for fronts. That gets you matte black. Add $400-500 for proper powder coating if desired. Or, go with junkyard/used stock ones that might be in better condition. Paint yourself with caliper paint if desired.
I’ve seen about $150-ish a piece for respectable rotors.

2. Correct. The rear electric brake makes this impractical.

3. Nope, totally a legit desire.

If all of that is too expensive for what you care to get out of it, you might be surprised what a wire brush, some brake cleaner and diy caliper paint can do. I’d be surprised if your pitting is severe enough to notice from standing distance if you paint them.


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[03TLSinCO]

For appearance only, I agree that cleaning/painting the calipers is your best option. You don't even need to have them powder coated. Give it a shot and see what you think. Only a couple of hours of work, paint is cheap enough, and if you don't like the results, you can always replace them.

And if you decide to spend the money on new calipers, there's nothing wrong with that. It's your money, so whatever makes you happy!

[jab23]

Appreciate the responses and about what I figured. I think you're both right. If I get ambitious, maybe I'll give cleaning the existing calipers a shot and then painting. No down side. Lord knows I've watched about every youtube caliper painting video prior to posting this! Thanks again.

[old guy]

I know I will get a raft of s**t for even suggesting this but if you are only looking for cosmetic appearances there are numerous different caliper covers available. If you go this route I think the metal covers would be more realistic.

[aztechian]

Haha. That’s a good point though. It is an option, and cheap(er).

Which reminds me of one more option which would be to vinyl wrap.


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[dalmation53]

I put this on my mazda 3 back in 2007 on my teenager years.

I know I will get a raft of s**t for even suggesting this but if you are only looking for cosmetic appearances there are numerous different caliper covers available. If you go this route I think the metal covers would be more realistic.

[pdan]

Ha, yeah one of my coworkers had a beautiful E90 335i that she seemed like she was modding and it came in one day with bright red brakes. I congratulated her on finally getting a BBK and she said oh no they’re just covers . That being said it’s a fairly inexpensive way to improve the looks for sure.


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[dalmation53]

Doing this "MoD" on any luxury german car is an Embarrassment. A used BBK can cost used $500 for the front.

Ha, yeah one of my coworkers had a beautiful E90 335i that she seemed like she was modding and it came in one day with bright red brakes. I congratulated her on finally getting a BBK and she said oh no they’re just covers . That being said it’s a fairly inexpensive way to improve the looks for sure.


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[19birel]

Cleaning and painting brakes isn't as hard as it may seem. I used POR15 caliper paint on mine and just doused the calipers in brake clean and scrubbed with a scotchbrite pad so I knew they were clean. The POR15 Caliper paint is brush on and self levels so its very easy to apply. I used this on my stock rear calipers which I left on the car, and my upgraded front calipers from an A7. I used yellow but they have black, red, silver, etc. as well.