RE: brakes for 1991 200 20v turbo quattro

[Peter Henriksen <peterhe@microsoft.com>]

16,000 miles???!?!?!? Lucky SOB :-)

Anyway, the front brakes on that car are the so-called UFO brakes
(officially known as internal caliper brakes). Audi used them on early
nineties V8s and on the 91 200 to get a bigger swept area (==better
braking) without going to a bigger wheel size. One little problem: they
warp. Quickly, sometimes. There have been a number of TSBs on them from
Audi, but none that are still in effect if you're not the original owner
and have good connections with Audi...

As for the price of $1,600 - blah! If it's all 4 rotors it might be OK,
but I've never heard of the rear rotors warping too. I'd make sure they
really are all warped by checking with an independent mechanic. Also, I
might consider getting the rears done by an independent mechanic instead
of paying Audi labour rates. The rears are regular disk brakes, so that
shouldn't be a problem. As for the fronts, get parts prices and numbers
from the dealer and then call Linda @ Carlsen and see what she can do.
Take those prices back to the dealer and if they can't match it, get the
parts from Linda and have the dealer do the work.

A much cheaper option that may or may not work: it's rumoured (I believe
somebody on the list has tried it) that a few hard stops from about
80mph can cure the front brake warped rotors. Try it out - it can't hurt
(as long as the brakes are still braking :-).

Good luck to your friend.
- peter, peterhe@microsoft.com, issaquah, wa
  91 200qw (UFO brakes, unwired Euro lights :--( )

>----------
>From: 	larrye@cris.com[SMTP:larrye@cris.com]
>Sent: 	Sunday, June 09, 1996 4:49 AM
>To: 	quattro@coimbra.ans.net
>Subject: 	brakes for 1991 200 20v turbo quattro
>
>Hi all!
>   A friend has a 1991 20valve 200 turbo quatro with 16k miles which
>has
>developed a shudder on  braking.  He has been told that all the rotors
>are
>warped (but the calipers are ok!) and has been quoted about $1600 to
>replace
>the pads and rotors on all 4 wheels at the local dealer (who is not
>know for
>inexpensiveness!). He checked with a reputable (but not really familiar
>with
>this model) local garage, and they said that the brakes were of the
>"internal" type and hence too complicated for them to work on and the
>quote
>was probably in line.  Does anyone have any comments on this and does
>the 93
>S4 which I am considering purchasing share this same complex and
>expensive
>brakes (which in this case only lasted 16k miles)? Is it possible to
>work on
>these brakes on one's own 9I have had an easy time doing brake work on
>my
>4000Q at 70k), and where is a good source for parts ($.10 per mile for
>brakes sort of gives me pause)? Is this sort of premature brake failure
>common in this model, and should the calipers be suspected as well( the
>dealer says no)?  Thanks in advance and your advice will be appreciated
>                                               Larry Eisenberg
>1984 4000s Quattro
>1993 S4 (very soon I hope)
>
>