Should I get genuine Audi pads, or cheaper alternatives?

Edelman

Hi.
I have an 2005 Audi A6 2.7Tdi Quattro Auto.
My pads and discs need replacing.
Got a quote from a local garage of £270.
Another garage quoted £330.

Audi themselves quoted..... £720!! They say of course they will be genuine Audi parts, fitted by Audi engineers.

I don't know if I will have the car in 3 years: maybe I will. Who knows. They also say the Audi ones should last at least 25,000 miles on the front.

My last pads were from the "another garage", and were £151 for the front and rear pads only. This was in July 09. I'd say they lasted 20k miles is, as I don't do many miles now.

So - here's a question mostly directed at mechanics, but anyone with a view, should I spend £260 up the road and job done. Or fork out nearly three times the price for actual Audi parts? Or would that just be nutso??

Sgt_Pepper_2

Get the garage up the road to fit Audi pads.

Edelman

If they are only charging about half the labour costs, and it's about 2 hours, it won't be a huge saving over the £720.

Lithian

You could buy oem discs/pads from ECP or somewhere and pay your mechanic to fit them (its not especially hard)

Then you end up with the same result but more money in your pocket

Edelman

Sorry what is "OEM" and "ECP" please?

Sgt_Pepper_2

How much do Audi charge?

At £120 an hour that makes the pads £480.

Edelman

I don't know. I think it's about £80-90 per hour.
But are their pads WORTH that almost double money? I mean really?
If my last set lasted 20k ish, and they say these Audi ones last 25k. It' sjust 5k more. And these have been very good brakes.

GolfBravo

Get the garage up the road fit OEM discs and pads.

Audi don't make their own pads and discs, they just resell Audi/VW/Skoda/Seat branded parts made by Pagid/Mintex, Bosch or Bendix. And fitting them is no rocket science.

Edelman

The "other garage" I Was talking about do Bosch I think. Not sure.
Is it a specific maker?
And again, is it worth it when the last set supplied and fitted for £151 lasted me 20k+.

Sgt_Pepper_2

Edelman wrote: »

I don't know. I think it's about £80-90 per hour.
But are their pads WORTH that almost double money? I mean really?
If my last set lasted 20k ish, and they say these Audi ones last 25k. It' sjust 5k more. And these have been very good brakes.

So £580 for pads and discs and you need to ask on here.

April the 1st was yesterday.

Edelman

Sorry what?