8v A3 Brake Pad Suggestions

[Quegma]

Hi all, getting ready to do my 60k maintenance, doing all my time-based services as well, so haldex, rear diff, and brake fluid flush. I'm getting RacingLine stainless steel braided lines, I think it makes sense to get some new pads while I'm at it.
Any suggestions on some good street pads? For the 2020 model year, quattro, preferably low dust if it doesn't compromise on quality.
I'll throw this out here for opinions as well, I got LiquiMoly SL6 DOT4 fluid off amazon, the cap wasn't cracked, but fluid had leaked out of the bottle, also the expiration date on the bottle was for this month. Do I trust it?

[MikTip]

Front and Rear=PowerStop Z23 from RockAuto.com

Brake fluid is hydroscopic...is absorbs moisture.

The OE brake fluid is beyond fine unless your racing on a track...

[Quegma]

Yep, the hydroscopic nature is what made me ask the question. Figured I'd ask here since I had people around me answer both ways, to get new or that they would still run it.
Wasn't sure if it was too bad or not, cuz again the cap wasn't cracked open.

I'm a liquimoly loyalist, the fluid off amazon was also cheaper, and easier to get. Dealer by me didn't have in stock.

Are these the pads you run? I'm on OEM atm, how do they compare?

Thanks Mik

[MikTip]

Yep, the hydroscopic nature is what made me ask the question. Figured I'd ask here since I had people around me answer both ways, to get new or that they would still run it.
Wasn't sure if it was too bad or not, cuz again the cap wasn't cracked open.

I'm a liquimoly loyalist, the fluid off amazon was also cheaper, and easier to get. Dealer by me didn't have in stock.

Are these the pads you run? I'm on OEM atm, how do they compare?

Thanks Mik

Z23 pads are a much better pad than the OE pads.

[texasboy21]

Hi all, getting ready to do my 60k maintenance, doing all my time-based services as well, so haldex, rear diff, and brake fluid flush. I'm getting RacingLine stainless steel braided lines, I think it makes sense to get some new pads while I'm at it.
Any suggestions on some good street pads? For the 2020 model year, quattro, preferably low dust if it doesn't compromise on quality.
I'll throw this out here for opinions as well, I got LiquiMoly SL6 DOT4 fluid off amazon, the cap wasn't cracked, but fluid had leaked out of the bottle, also the expiration date on the bottle was for this month. Do I trust it?

For the 60k service there are 4 drivetrain fluids - front diff referred to as the bevel box, transmission, rear diff, and 'haldex' (borg warner awd clutch assembly).

For brake pads there are two basic flavors - metallic and ceramic.

Metallic are higher dust and noisier, but generally perform better with sharper bite, and better resistance to heat/fading.

Ceramics on the other hand are quiter, produce MUCH less dust, but dont offer the same 'bite' and resistance to heat/fading.

It really comes down to personal preference and how you use the car.

Regarding the fluid, hard pass. Return and get something sealed with a good date.

[949]

im doing my fluids for both my cars in a few weeks.

its a must with these cars. i cap it off at 50k miles. its just easier to remember.

love it when the parts dept says there are no service needed beyond the haldex and dsg fluids. its all sealed units. i eventually showed them whats there and i got all fluids from them. safer to be OEM than aftermarket. no need to experiment.

dsg, haldex, rear diff, and they dont call the front a bevel box. they called it something else. because of that, they had a hard time finding what i was asking for.

[MikTip]

im doing my fluids for both my cars in a few weeks.
its a must with these cars. i cap it off at 50k miles. its just easier to remember.
love it when the parts dept says there are no service needed beyond the haldex and dsg fluids. its all sealed units. i eventually showed them whats there and i got all fluids from them. safer to be OEM than aftermarket. no need to experiment.
dsg, haldex, rear diff, and they dont call the front a bevel box. they called it something else. because of that, they had a hard time finding what i was asking for.

0CN-409-053-AN Transfer case. The name "bevel box" comes from the name of the type of transfer case it is.

The problem with the transfer case(AKA bevel box) is it holds 1 quart of 75w-90 synthetic oil and is air cooled! It has tiny fins on the bottom...and sits direclty behind the engine block. It vents to atmosphere.



Most people dont even know it exists on their cars...

The rear diff, minus the Haldex, holds 1 quart of 75w-90 synthetic gear oil. It too is air cooled and vented to inside the subframe then to atmosphere.




The haldex is a separate system intergraded into the rear diff and has its own oil.


VW/Audi say haldex oil change every 3 years regardless of miles. It too holds 1 quart and is air cooled. Probably hydroscopic...

Audi calls the diff oils "life-time" fill. Why? Because to auto makers the life time of a car is 5 years. Statistics say its 12 years. However 5 years is the warranty period dealerships cover.
In order for them to increase profits, they make oils and other fluids "life-time". The antifreeze is lifetime. Does it go bad? You have to test it to find out.

Changing the oils wont harm anything. How fast do you think it takes 1 quart oil to get hot?

What's key when changing specific oils is inspecting the oils. Looking for color, smell, is it burnt, have metal in it, etc...etc.

My 2015 S3 has 210,000 miles on it. Replaced the motor at 185k....

I have a low mileage replacement DSG going in soon and a low mileage transfer/bevel box too.

All the oiled parts wear regardless of how many times you change the oil.

60,000 miles is nothing. See at 185,000 miles what is still operating like new

[Quegma]

Planning to do all the fluids as soon as I can, DSG and bevel box I'll do together probably in a month or two, hopefully taking care of the rear sometime this week.
I did return the fluid, much better to be safe than sorry, not worth rolling the dice on anything brake related. Got some ol' reliable motul that I feel a lot better about.

[MikTip]

Planning to do all the fluids as soon as I can, DSG and bevel box I'll do together probably in a month or two, hopefully taking care of the rear sometime this week.
I did return the fluid, much better to be safe than sorry, not worth rolling the dice on anything brake related. Got some ol' reliable motul that I feel a lot better about.

I have run the OE Audi brake fluid since 2015....zero issues. Yes its been changed a few times.

[Quegma]

Always in awe of how good your ride looks...
Thanks Mik