[urq] A4 brakes on urq

Sun Feb 17 10:24:56 PST 2008

I did mention Boxster brakes, but my car sees a bit of track time.  My
overkill comment was strictly confined to street-only cars.  My light
monoblocks probably make the unsprung weight issue a wash, but I've
still increased the rotating mass with the 300x25 rotor.  I might get
some of that back at the track with the forged urS wheels I run.

I completely understand your point about the limitations of the 15s.
Some people just want better braking without the slippery slope (big
brakes = big wheels = costlier rubber).  For me, the urq has a very
unique aesthetic.  I just haven't seen many wheels that complement that
image better than the R8s or the Fuchs.  The urS 16s (with spacers) come
close.  There are candidates out there (Compomotive MO, for example) but
I haven't yet been able to justify the cash outlay.  This is all just
MHO, of course.

My car is still within a stone's throw of stock power (WX, chip, cam).
Even if it weren't, I'd still weigh all the factors before jumping to
bigger brakes.  There are folks that don't go to the track or get crazy
on the street, but do like to push hard in the mountains.  My only point
was that the A4 setup could be an option for them.

BTW, Boxster S/996 calipers have been done under the 15 x 8 Ronals.  It
requires some machine work on the caliper and a custom bracket.  IIRC,
the rotor was a little less diameter than mine (295?), but it's thicker
(32?).  I went the easier route and I'm perfectly happy with the
results.

Eric R.
'86 urq
'92 urS
'93 urS

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Del Tergo [mailto:mdeltergo at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 10:31 PM
To: Eric Renneisen; urq at audifans.com
Subject: RE: [urq] A4 brakes on urq

Eric,
312 might be overkill but weren't you talking Boxster brakes in the same
breath?  (the monoblocks should more than offset the weight gain in the
rotor in that setup though, while bigger and lighter rims with the TT/A8
set will also address your concerns there) While I appreciate the keep
it stock philosophy, (I've done little that is not reversible on my car)
why one would go and make such a one sided up grade like 2 or 3
generations newer power plants, or  brakes and pads or suspension and
still ride on period tire sizing is a bit perplexing.  IIRC, stock UrQ
engine and power levels etc are well in your rear view mirror? If so,
why would you limit the potential effectiveness of those mods, and brake
mods by running stock size rubber?  I think there is little doubt that
by the middle to the end of the Urq run it should have been on bigger
rubber, don't get me started on Audi sedans!  Free to try my TT/A8 setup
and judge for yourself which way to go.  Initial tests don't point
toward a Boxster S setup making it under 15s but we are a resourceful
group.

  _____  

From: racingiron at comcast.net
To: mdeltergo at hotmail.com; urq at audifans.com
Subject: RE: [urq] A4 brakes on urq
Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:52:11 -0500

Sorry Mike, I guess I misunderstood your statement.  I was thrown off by
the "only the TT carriers make it bolt up to the UrQ" comment.  It
sounded as if you were saying the stock A4 setup wouldn't work at all,
which isn't the case.  Your opinion about the suitability of this
"upgrade" is duly noted.

I'd like to point out that a great many owners here (myself included)
won't likely consider any brake upgrade that prevents the use of the 8"
Ronals.  For those, I'd say the A4 route isn't such a bad idea.  I'm
willing to bet the caliper is lighter than the G60, and the extra rotor
diameter certainly won't hurt.  Beyond that, the piston size is better
matched to the stock MC, and will facilitate easier heel-toe action,
IME.  For street-driven cars, the 312 mm solution might just be
overkill, with the drawback of additional unsprung and rotational mass.

Also, keep in mind that the G60 setup was NOT stock for the US cars.
Those still running the stock brakes but looking for an economical
upgrade that allows them to keep their original wheels should definitely
consider the A4 stuff over the G60s.  I say that without having driven a
car with the A4 stuff, but it looks good on paper.  I can say with
certainty it wouldn't take much to best the G60s.

Eric R.
'86 urq
'92 urS
'93 urS

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Del Tergo [mailto:mdeltergo at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 4:42 PM
To: urq at audifans.com; racingiron at comcast.net
Subject: Re: [urq] A4 brakes on urq

Eric,
I am as certain as I was when I posted to the thread you noted almost 4
years ago!  (and so are the 8 folks who got in on the GB!)  If you read
it all, Justin noted  

"It does fit under a 15" wheel with the A4 brake carrier and rotor
(288x25). Using that right now....until I can get the TT
carriers....$186 each
from the dealer."

As I mentioned the A4 carrier may allow the 288MM rotor, but that is not
enough difference over the stock 276, IMHO, to be worth it.  AFAIK, to
use the 312mm as we did, you need the TT carriers.
Mike

> From: "Eric Renneisen" <racingiron at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [urq] A4 brakes on urq

> 
> > A4 calipers yes, A4 caliper carriers no. Did a GB on 
> > these a few years back, A4/TT calipers, but only the 
> > TT carriers make it bolt up to the UrQ. 
> > I used 312mm A8 rotors. 
> 
> You sure about that? I'm fairly certain that I've heard the entire A4
> setup bolts right up to the urq to fit under the 15" wheels. Justin
> Riley stated he was running this back in '04:
> http://www.audifans.com/pipermail/urq/2004-January/000537.html
> I was seriously considering that route before I found out you can
> squeeze a Boxster caliper and 300 mm rotor under the 8" Ronals (with a
> little machine work on brackets and rotors).

  _____  

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