B9 SQ5 Brake Options

**Josh105105** · 03-30-2023 10:26 AM

Hey everyone, I have a 2019 SQ five and I am looking to replace the factory brake rotors and pads. Not necessarily looking for a brake with crazy performance. I just want something that will work as good or better as the factory brakes for a good price.
Thank you!!

**S4'ed** · 03-30-2023 02:25 PM

Zimmerman discs and Akebono Euro Ceramic pads.

**hbnoodles** · 03-30-2023 05:19 PM

Hawk pads and EBC rotors. Hit up Mops!

**4TBBUCS** · 03-30-2023 11:49 PM

Power Stop Z23 pads and Brembo / EBC blanks.

**1RAudiSQ5** · 03-31-2023 06:15 AM

R1 Concepts

**Mark888** · 03-31-2023 06:16 AM

You got three different suggestions there. From the research I did last year, Zimmerman is preferred over Brembo in terms of consistency and quality (German made vs Chinese made). And you likely want a ceramic pads, as others have suggested. EBC red stuff is an excellent choice, but there are plenty of others too.

**rcprato** · 03-31-2023 10:15 AM

Don’t overlook ATE rotors, German made and OEM supplier to VAG. A very reasonable price online

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Josh105105** · 03-31-2023 11:43 AM

Thanks a lot for that info everyone!

**Josh105105** · 03-31-2023 11:45 AM

What else are people running for pads and rotors on the B9 SQ5??

**Hostile** · 03-31-2023 12:04 PM

How many recommendations do you really need...?

**Josh105105** · 03-31-2023 02:29 PM

Probably have plenty but I was just curious as a new owner of a SQ5

**4TBBUCS** · 03-31-2023 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Josh105105

Probably have plenty but I was just curious as a new owner of a SQ5

On your OP, you asked for recommendations similar to factory etc. Now, if you're looking at exploring actual upgrades (subjective to many), I'll direct you to this post... https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...pgraded-rotors!
I'm currently running PS Z23 pads and ECST 2 piece rotors. G/L

**Mark888** · 03-31-2023 05:56 PM

All of us probably should have asked... Why replace the rotors? Are they warped? The OEM rotors are beefy and good solid rotors. You probably just want to replace the pads...

**Josh105105** · 04-01-2023 07:22 AM

4TBBUCS - thanks for the link and your recommendation! Sorry I’m still new to Audizine and just figuring things out.

Mark888 - I bought the car with 25k miles on it and now have 48k and my pads are looking thin. I believe the pads have been replaced before but the rotors are still stock from the factory. I just thought it would be beneficial to replace rotors as well as the pads, I’ve always been told putting new pads on a worn rotor can decrease the life of the pads

**Optimus247** · 04-04-2023 04:43 AM

The grooves in the rotor increase surface area swept ...

**amw896** · 04-05-2023 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Mark888

You got three different suggestions there. From the research I did last year, Zimmerman is preferred over Brembo in terms of consistency and quality (German made vs Chinese made). And you likely want a ceramic pads, as others have suggested. EBC red stuff is an excellent choice, but there are plenty of others too.

Our stock brembos are made in china?

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Audizine Forum mobile app

**Mark888** · 04-05-2023 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by amw896

Our stock brembos are made in china?

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Audizine Forum mobile app

From what I've found, ALL Brembo rotors are made in China now. I'm not aware of Audi using Brembo rotors as an OEM part, but maybe they do on some models? I think the bulk of them are ATE or TRW, but I'm sure it's a rotating cast depending on model year.

**TheContrarian** · 04-06-2023 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Mark888

From what I've found, ALL Brembo rotors are made in China now. I'm not aware of Audi using Brembo rotors as an OEM part, but maybe they do on some models? I think the bulk of them are ATE or TRW, but I'm sure it's a rotating cast depending on model year.

All of our SQ5s are made in Mexico and they are great. Country of origin is overplayed IMO.

**rcprato** · 04-06-2023 08:27 AM

Historically I have tried not to use replacement parts for my VAG cars from China but that is starting to change in that I have purchased 3 sets of Brembo HC UV coated rotors and they have performed as well as the OEM rotors. I think companies like Brembo that have manufacturing in China have a lot of control over manufacturing and standards they hold true to. Not sure if Brembo supplies any car manufacturers rotors from plant in China, my guess it is all aftermarket?
My money says ATE supplying rotors for SQ5, have replacement front set in garage ready to go for my 2018 and very nice quality for OE equivalent.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**burnman** · 04-13-2023 10:56 AM

I purchased Zimmerman discs and the ES Z23 pads for all four wheels. Just waiting for the weather to warm so I can do that 🥶 and will report the results when I’m done.

**esssssss** · 06-30-2023 08:21 PM

Do the R1 Geo Carbon Drilled & Slotted Rotors make a lot of noise? Like, would mom and dad think something’s wrong with my car when I pick them up from the airport?

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

**JonnyBravo!** · 07-01-2023 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by esssssss

Do the R1 Geo Carbon Drilled & Slotted Rotors make a lot of noise? Like, would mom and dad think something’s wrong with my car when I pick them up from the airport?

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

No, unless your rotors are dirty/rusty. Otherwise, they're relatively quiet.

**MoralMiscreant** · 07-01-2023 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by esssssss

Do the R1 Geo Carbon Drilled & Slotted Rotors make a lot of noise? Like, would mom and dad think something’s wrong with my car when I pick them up from the airport?

I can't speak to these rotors but J-hook rotors like the 034 ones will definitely produce a noticeable amount of noise. The whirring when braking hard was fine (and actually pretty cool) but J-hooks produce a very distinctive noise, even when not braking, that you can hear very clearly if there is anything to reflect it back at you. I ran the 034 rotors and EBC yellow stuff for a while but, despite being a really excellent setup, it was just too noisy for a daily driver. I went back to stock rotors/pads and it's silent for daily driving and still has good performance for autocross. (Will probably have the 034 rotors with about 2k miles in the classified section next week).

**esssssss** · 07-01-2023 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by MoralMiscreant

I can't speak to these rotors but J-hook rotors like the 034 ones will definitely produce a noticeable amount of noise. The whirring when braking hard was fine (and actually pretty cool) but J-hooks produce a very distinctive noise, even when not braking, that you can hear very clearly if there is anything to reflect it back at you. I ran the 034 rotors and EBC yellow stuff for a while but, despite being a really excellent setup, it was just too noisy for a daily driver. I went back to stock rotors/pads and it's silent for daily driving and still has good performance for autocross. (Will probably have the 034 rotors with about 2k miles in the classified section next week).

I’ve read similar reviews.

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

**databater** · 07-01-2023 08:49 PM

034 make very little noise.. been running them for about 2k miles

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

**B6_Dolphin** · 07-01-2023 08:50 PM

Girodisc has performance 2-piece slotted rotor upgrades for the B9 SQ5:

https://girodisc.com/audi-b9-s4-s5-front-rotors/

https://girodisc.com/audi-b8-s4-s5-rear-rotors/

**MoralMiscreant** · 07-01-2023 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by databater

034 make very little noise.. been running them for about 2k miles

I hate to do this to you but... open your windows and drive by a fence... Yes, that's you making that noise.

**databater** · 07-03-2023 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by MoralMiscreant

I hate to do this to you but... open your windows and drive by a fence... Yes, that's you making that noise.

I hate to* do this to you but I know how to listen to brake noise. Stfu

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

**MoralMiscreant** · 07-03-2023 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by databater

I hate to* do this to you but I know how to listen to brake noise. Stfu

The "I hate to do this to you" comment was because once you hear the noise, you can't unhear it. I should have specified that better. Anyway, here is a good thread that talks about the noise and the video that convinced me that, unfortunately, it's just how they sound. The noise is especially distinct when driving by cars/walls/fences/curbs that can reflect the noise back at you. You can hear this in the video.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...t-brake-rotors
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OYBUBOU9oys

**Mark888** · 07-03-2023 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by MoralMiscreant

The "I hate to do this to you" comment was because once you hear the noise, you can't unhear it. I should have specified that better. Anyway, here is a good thread that talks about the noise and the video that convinced me that, unfortunately, it's just how they sound. The noise is especially distinct when driving by cars/walls/fences/curbs that can reflect the noise back at you. You can hear this in the video.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...t-brake-rotors
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OYBUBOU9oys

Uh yeah, no thanks. That would annoy the shit out of me.

**MoralMiscreant** · 07-03-2023 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mark888

Uh yeah, no thanks. That would annoy the shit out of me.

I will say that the weight savings of the 034 rotors was so noticeable that I almost decided to just live with the noise. Unfortunately, I like to drive with the windows down and I drive by a mile of fences to get in/out of my neighborhood so the noise was just maddening. I'm kinda tempted to try the Girodisc two piece rotors linked above.

**Mark888** · 07-03-2023 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by MoralMiscreant

I will say that the weight savings of the 034 rotors was so noticeable that I almost decided to just live with the noise. Unfortunately, I like to drive with the windows down and I drive by a mile of fences to get in/out of my neighborhood so the noise was just maddening. I'm kinda tempted to try the Girodisc two piece rotors linked above.

Weight savings because of different composition or just less material?

**MoralMiscreant** · 07-03-2023 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Mark888

Weight savings because of different composition or just less material?

Both. There is less material in a two piece rotor but, since it's not a single slab of metal, you can use lighter materials on the parts that are not directly interacting with the pads. Saving 7-ish pounds per wheel doesn't sound significant but this is unsprung weight so it's a lot more significant than you'd expect. In daily driving, the most notable benefit is that the suspension is noticeably less thumpy. Those 7lbs per wheel genuinely make the car feel lighter.

**Mark888** · 07-03-2023 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by MoralMiscreant

Both. There is less material in a two piece rotor but, since it's not a single slab of metal, you can use lighter materials on the parts that are not directly interacting with the pads. Saving 7-ish pounds per wheel doesn't sound significant but this is unsprung weight so it's a lot more significant than you'd expect. In daily driving, the most notable benefit is that the suspension is noticeably less thumpy. Those 7lbs per wheel genuinely make the car feel lighter.

That's really interesting. Do they make a plain two piece rotor that has similar weight savings? And are they just as durable or are they more or less prone to warping?

**MoralMiscreant** · 07-03-2023 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Mark888

That's really interesting. Do they make a plain two piece rotor that has similar weight savings? And are they just as durable or are they more or less prone to warping?

I haven't seen any two piece blank rotors for our car but those Girodiscs linked above look pretty tame to me. I would guess they give you the weight savings without any noticeable noise but, it's pretty expensive to test that theory so I'm just going to encourage you to buy them and let me know. :)

As far as durability, any kind of non-blank rotor will wear your pads faster but, probably not enough to notice for a daily driver. There is nothing about a two piece rotor that would inherently cause it to wear faster or warp and, in fact, one of the benefits of using them on race cars is that it's way cheaper to replace the braking surface part of the rotor as opposed to an entire single piece rotor.

**Mops@Nemesis** · 07-04-2023 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by MoralMiscreant

I haven't seen any two piece blank rotors for our car but those Girodiscs linked above look pretty tame to me. I would guess they give you the weight savings without any noticeable noise but, it's pretty expensive to test that theory so I'm just going to encourage you to buy them and let me know. :)

I had no idea they were available! I've been harassing them for two years. Assumed they'd reach out once available. I've moved my B9 S4 034 rotors to my new S5. Once they go I'll try out the Giros for sure. This is exciting. 😁

**esssssss** · 07-05-2023 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by B6_Dolphin

Girodisc has performance 2-piece slotted rotor upgrades for the B9 SQ5:

https://girodisc.com/audi-b9-s4-s5-front-rotors/

https://girodisc.com/audi-b8-s4-s5-rear-rotors/

Anyone here have these installed?

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

**Mark888** · 07-06-2023 05:41 AM

Originally Posted by esssssss

Anyone here have these installed?

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

I was very interested in these... ...and then I saw the price. $1000 for rotors!!?!! Am I missing something? That's insane (to me) to spend that much on a pair of rotors.

**Mops@Nemesis** · 07-06-2023 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by esssssss

Anyone here have these installed?

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

We have tons of customers running Giros, but haven't yet done them on the B9 as the front axle set was only recently released. We've done them on the RS3, TTRS, S6 and R8.