Question about front rotor replacement

[midwest1275]

I'm going to get my RS6 front brakes (rotors/pads) taken care of by an Indy shop near me next week. They quoted me $1100 for 2 OEM RS6 rotors, $185 for OE front pads, and $150 for the labor to install. I'm fine with the stock rotors and pads, the labor sounds reasonable, but $1100 for rotors seems a bit pricey. I searched around online and the best deal I could find on coated and cross drilled rotors (365 x 34) factory rotors was $610 for 2 rotors (@ partsgeek.com). Free shipping, and much better price.
Here they are:
http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/WC/7509-01145961.html?utm_content=YN&utm_term=2003-2004+Audi+RS6+Brake+Rotor+Zimmermann+Formula+Z+Fro nt+Left+03-04+Audi+Brake+Rotor&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ff&utm_campaign=PartsGeek+Google+Base&gclid=Cj0KEQiA592lBRCXy8yl4bjK17wBEiQAg1Az_T03ZsU8 QAOuI9IAAqBImOL8SSs73UOGzWF3pjoOnasaAo9p8P8HAQ

Are these Zimmerman Formula Z rotors any good? I'm not looking for seriously upgraded front brakes, I think the stock ones work well on the streets. Anybody know about these? If they are solid replacement options I'm gonna order them up this weekend.

Thanks

[Bigglezworth]

Search is your friend. Dozens of posts regarding rotors and best places to get them. Bottomline - you're getting raped.... Rotors are $300'ish from a number of locations. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Also, there are different options that fit with Phaeton non-drilled, Gallardo rotors, R8 rotors, and RS5 rotors also. Don't waste your $$ on the OEM Pagid pads. They have awful dusting characteristics. Use EBC Yellows, or an equivalent Hawks product.

NOTE - A qualified mechanic can R&R a pair of rotors and the 8 pads in under 30 minutes for both sides. Pushes an hour if you are slower that day. You can be the judge if the labour quoted is appropriate.

[midwest1275]

I've already searched the forum regarding rotors and I saw some discussion of Zimmerman's being one of the lowest priced options. I am looking to see what people have experienced with the Zimmerman's quality/performance/reliability wise.

[hahnmgh63]

Here are the part #'s for the two fronts: 4B3 615 301E & 4B3 615 302A. As they said you can find good aftermarket ones a bit cheaper but if you want them from a dealer in the Audi OEM box www.genuineaudiparts.com is probably the cheapest at $447.33ea

[4everRS]

I personally think the Zimmermanns are equivalent to stock. I have used them. No problems. I am an advocate for having them " frozen ". A place in Minneapolis called diversified cryogenics treated my current rotors, and they have held up extremely well.

[Bigglezworth]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAMBORGHINI-GALLARDO-FRONT-BRAKE-DISC-ROTORS-2010-2012-/141244269780?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20e2d084d4&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Audi-RS5-R8-Gallardo-Front-Rotors-8T0615301-Only-/271726572376?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f442a7358&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Audi-R8-Lamborghini-Gallardo-OEM-Front-Disc-Brake-Rotors-420615301D-/271636274137?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f3ec89bd9&vxp=mtr

[lswing]

Stock pads also have wear sensors that dig into your rotors, besides the heavy dusting, do not use them. Hawk HPS plus is a good all around low dust pad, there are others as mentioned.

The site search function isn't that good. Use Google and "site:rs6.com" along with your search topic.

I was looking at that used set of RS5/R8 wave rotors, looks nice with only 1,000 miles. Wasn't there mention of needing to do some slight adjustment to our calipers or mounting to run these? I know it's on the other thread, it just didn't seem that clear.

New set for $549 from the same seller, non-wave. Again, fitment details? http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Audi-R8-Lamborghini-Gallardo-OEM-Front-Disc-Brake-Rotors-420615301D-/271636274137?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f3ec89bd9

[s8prtotype]

You don't have to adjust anything to run the Stock RS5 Wavy fronts. That's Only if you went with the RS7 390mm rotor, you would need 13-15mm spacer.

I'm running the stock size now with the ebc yellow pads I got for 100 bucks shipped.

[lswing]

You don't have to adjust anything to run the Stock RS5 Wavy fronts. That's Only if you went with the RS7 390mm rotor, you would need 13-15mm spacer.

I'm running the stock size now with the ebc yellow pads I got for 100 bucks shipped.

Thanks for the confirmation. I'm going to assume that applies to the non-wave R8/Gallardo rotor also? I'm about to buy the set that I linked to above, cheers.

[midwest1275]

Thanks for the feedback guys. In one of my searches there was some discussion about EBC reds getting hot and warping rotors. That must be the case with my RS6. I just bought the car and it appears that the previous owner recently did rotors and installed EBC reds. My rotors are so warped that the whole car shakes/shudders under hard braking. There is still lots of rotor and pad left. What a waste. Clearly, stay away from those. I will research mildly upgraded pads (prob pass on the stock ones) to go with the new rotors. I will prob go with the Zimmermans for my rotors. I hear a lot of conflicting info about brakes pads so it's difficult to get a clear direction on which ones to use.

[lswing]

Your front lower control arm bushings can cause severe shudder under braking also. I would check all control arms and bushings....

Edit; and....when I bought my car the stock pads had worn groves into the rotors, I re-surfaced them and put Hawk hps-plus pads on, been good for at least 15k...

[hahnmgh63]

midwest1275, your Rotors are most likely not warped. EBC Reds have been known to deposit material on the Rotors and a buffing with some Emery cloth and a change of pad with some strong stops can probably fix the problem. I use the EBC Yellows and have had no problems, even with an occasional track day and they are only about $10~$20 more per axle than the Reds.