Can I just examine them in some way to tell if the pads and/or the discs need changed?

Thanks, Chris

 

My dealer tells me!

 

Your pads will make a screeching sound when they are worn to the minimum.

For discs, if the lip on the discs >2mm (on both sides) I would suggets replacing them.

AE - my dealer said I needed to change my discs/pads. 10,000miles later they're still going strong and have at least 5,000miles left in them

Andy

 

Changing pads is relatively easy to do..... about 2 hours work.

Did mine a few weeks back.

 

Re the pads, would when the screeching sound starts be the time to replace the pads? Or should I do it before this happens, say when they got to a certain thickness? - what I'm getting at is, do you lose significant braking performance as the pad wears down, in a gradual type way(in which case I'd want to replace sooner rather than later) or do you suddenly lose performance after point(in which case I'd be happy to wait until this point since braking will be ok unitl then)?

 

No harm in waiting for the screeching to begin. There's still pad material remaining when this starts so no problems with braking effectiveness.

Andy

 

The biggest dealer 'scam' going is the replacements of disks/pads. Granted there will be some that genuinely need replacing but most dealers will rely on customers being 'scared' for safety reasons so few actually question the need.

Many of them will say they need replacing if that's the case within the next 10/12,000 miles as that's when the next service is due. After all, how many people check their disks/pads (or anything else for that matter) between services? That's what dealers/service centres rely on.

Always ask for the disks/pads that they replaced to be given back to you (same for any part that they replaced). You might find they suddenly turn round and say "Oh, sorry sir, we've double checked the brakes and they're actually fine"

 

Depends how good your dealer and personal technicial is

 

Thanks - in that case I'll just wait until the next service, which in any case isn't far away. Could just be my imagination but I've noticed the brakes have felt a bit underpowered lately when cold, but no sign of any screeching - guess I'll find out for sure when I go on a trackday in February.

Could it be because it's winter that the brakes are taking longer to warm up? - anyone else experienced this? - or would the fact that it's colder outside have little effect?

 

Seen this scam many times.

Sat waiting in an Audi dealer and listened to all the post service chat for a large number of customers. Every one was recommended to have new pads and discs.

Nice chat to them after my recall work.

Peasants!