No problem, I really appreciate your feedback. I'm surprised that the pads need replacing at 27K. The last owner must have been standing on the brakes. I can see the front tyres have been replaced as they have more tread than the rears.

It seems that Pagid do make OEM pads for Audi A4 and A6?

I'm going to give my local Kwik Fit a go. I've used them for a number of years and they are ok for simple jobs and services. I work away alot and my wife has taken her car down with a leaking tyre or minor issue and they have been good, fixing minor leaks for free and balancing tyres for free. With no BS about needing a new tyre. A job like changing the front pads should be straight forward, even on an A8.

Where I live if a garage gets a bad reputation everyone will stop using it. People talk to each other up here. :)

I'll give a report on how I get on. I'm going to watch them do the work - In on Friday.

UPDATE: I rang a local Audi/VW specialist and they quoted me £260 for front pads. I guess if you have a labour intensive job they would be a good choice, but it looks like they are quoting list on parts.

Pagid make oem pads for some cars in Germany. Anything bought outside the dealer network will be 'pagid' from euro car parts, who own the brand name in the UK and will flog you stuff made in China which has a generally poor reputation for longevity and quality

I'd try Murray's to see what they can get (sometimes oem on newer stuff) or try your local TPS to see if you can get a discount on the genuine pads. Supply the pads you want to the independant and don't rely on kwik fit unless they are buying the parts from the main dealer. I expect there will be a statement along the lines of 'oem quality' which effectively means pattern parts from damn near anywhere they fancy

I'll ping QF and ask them what brand of pads they are putting in the car. I'm in for a "free" brake check, so if I'm not happy I just won't authorise any further work. I'll give the alternate garage a ring and see if they can recommend a decent alternative and see what they say.

BTW: Thanks for the Pagid info, I guess it makes sense. Is there any reason why a decent pair of pads would cost £225?

Only reason the pads are that expensive from Audi is because they can, especially on a recent model as they know it'll most likely go to them for most work

Febi, Brembo, Meyle, Zimmerman are all decent aftermarket brands

Update ...

Rear pad sensor has gone. Front pads are fine! Maybe a side effect of the electric parking brake and the hill stop function?

Extremely weird.

Pagid pads offered. Box says made in Germany! So im going for a new set of rear pads. Will post a picture when Im back at my computer.

Picture didn't take, so no pictures ...

Mechanics saying the rear brakes aren't much fun as you have to be carefull with the rear caliper cylinders as they apparently have enough go in them to launch the cylinder straight through you if you aren't careful!

Also swapping the front tyres for the back tyres and getting a new set of front tyres. Back tyre is down to 2mm, so I might as well swap stuff around whilst its in.

Damage so far is: £400

£100 for new set of rear pads replaced with sensors, £300 for a set of tyres, have gone for the same make and model as OEM'd on the car. Goodyear EfficientGrip Y(104) 235/55 R18 - Probably could get a set cheaper somewhere, but I don't think it would be by much.

Presumably they have the correct tool to electrically wind back the piston in the caliper and can programme the new pad thickness so the caliper knows how far it should be in?

Had a chat about that and they seemed to be in the loop about the dangers and process for replacing the pads. They have the VCD gizmo to read the diagnostics apparently they have a standing charge of £35 if you just want your diagnostics read, but if you ask nicely they will do it for free.

I've picked the car up and the electric parking brake is working fine and the pads have been replaced. So no issues so far. Driven about 6 miles.

Seems up my way in Lincoln they are going to completely refurbish the Kwik Fit, glass viewing rooms, leather sofa's, replacing all the ramps and fittings. Also putting in camera's into all the bays with monitors in the viewing area so you can see what they are doing. Going to be shut for a month whilst doing it.

You should just have the new ones put on the rear, the best tyres should always be on the rear axle, regardless of FWD, RWD or 4WD.

If rear tyres are much more worn, you could find yourself pointing in the wrong direction under heavy braking :tuttut:

Rears are 7mm all round. I think they are ok.