S3 Brakes

[rdj_s3_quattro]

HI everyone,

I have recently had braking problems (rather lack of braking!!) in the end discs and pads on the front were renewed, however the brakes still do not feel strong!!!

I have only had my S3 4 months and have never driven another one, so i have the problem of having nothing to compare it to.

Any ideas?? My S3 is 2000, 210 model, i have however drove my father's A3 tdi new shape, think its 2006 and his brakes are far superior to mine, can anyone exlain if this should be the case?? I would of thought the 'performance' model would surely have better brakes than a 'dieslel' model surely/>>????

Is there a common problem with this on 2000, 210 S3's ???

The garage tells me there is nothing wrong with them, but i do not feel confident driving, and it certainly ends any 'spirited' driving as the brakes are so weak!!

Any comments or recommended upgrades would be appreciated!

thanks

russ

[Gunzi]

What does the brake pedal like when you push it down? Does the pedal feel "spongy" or hard etc?

[rdj_s3_quattro]

hi

thanks for the interest!

The brakes feel spongy, the pedal travels about half way down (half way of its full travel) before the brakes feel like they're doin anything...is this normal??

I've had new pads and discs, so i presumed they bled them properly when fitted.

The car jsut doesn't seem too safe, and makes it a dog to drive, whats the point in having all that acceleration if u cant scrub off speed quick enough to enjoy it!

Any suggestions??

cheers mate
r

[lostmarbles]

Not all garages will bleed your brakes just because you're haveing new disks and pads. It's always worth asking them if they did, or even having another garage have a go at them, but if possible, try to find someone with a pressure bleeder as these things push the fluid, and often trapped air out realy well. Hope this helps.

[Gunzi]

Yep, definitely worth going to get the brakes bled, that should solve the problem

[rdj_s3_quattro]

Alright guys

thansk for the advice, i'll try getting them bled! Hopefully that will solve the porblem.

One last point; when i bought the car (Second hand) it came with grooved and drilled discs front and rear, but since having them renewed the garage has put just plain discs on the front.

Does anyone know whether standard equipment discs are plain or grooved and drilled??? I need to know because if the garage has down graded my brakes and charged me near £200 they will certainly be getting a letter of complaint from me!

ALso the brakes fade VERY EASILY!!! it is quite scary in fact! even at relatively slow speeds of 90-120 the brakes are cooked just after minor braking (e.g for junctions or roundabouts) i can't believe they should be this poor on a car that is easily capable of 150mph!! It is seriously worrying me!

Cheers everyone

Russ