Hello all, to begin, the car is a b7 a4 2006 Manual with 50k...

If anyone wants to answer questions on here that helps too..

First, my brakes squeal sometimes but I know its too soon for me to need to do
major break work so I am wondering what the issue is. There also seems to be a
lot of black dust on my rims after highway or prolonged driving... I have read
on the forums but have yet to get a decent answer.

Secondly, I am finding it difficult to put the car into 1st sometimes. All other
gears pose no problems however it just seems like I have to push it in a little
more than I should. (FYI when answering this, I do know how to drive stick
however I have never owned a manual car before so I am thinking this might just
be a non-issue and me simply overreacting and being over sensative to my new
toy.)


Other than these two things I am loving the car, after purchasing a week ago I
had the oil changed, new spark plugs put in, tires rotated, and balanced and the
filters changed. If anyone has other preventative maitenance I should do please
tell me......

 

If your brakes are original 50K is not too few K's for a brake job. I drive my car like a "regular" person (i.e. not overly aggressive). I've got 110K on my car and I'm on my 3rd set of brakes.

In regards to your 1st gear issue. Is it only difficult to get into first when the car is cold (like in the morning), if so it's quite normal in my opinion.

 

Thanks for the reply.

When you are saying 3rd set of brakes, are you talking pads, rotors or both?

Also, I called a shop to ask about new brakes and was quoted 1k for new pads and rotors from and rear....is that accurate?

 

I only did the rotors once, and yes. 1K for front and rear rotors and pads is the going rate. But please, don't go to the dealer. It's their "policy" to replace rotors every time they replace the pads, regardless of the rotor condition.

 

Definitly wont go to the dealer...
1k feels steep but i guess it is what it is. We shall see what I need.. Thanks for the imput.

And on the clutch, how long should it take to loosen / warm up

 

I think your first gear issue is related to thick fluid (in the morning). Once the gearbox is warmed up, you should be good. Time to warm up will vary depending on the temperature (winter/summer). But it should never be more than a couple of k's.

 

How to know when its time to do rotors? I read on the other forums that its never recommended to do rotors
It just reduces the life of rotors.
What will happen if we don't do rotors, it will just wear pad faster or any other bigger issue.

 

This time of year the car should warm up quiet quickly if u ask me =)

 

I have 72K in my 2006 S4 and the brakes still have plenty of life in them. The brake dust is normal for the type of pads that you probably have. I really hate the brake dust on my BBS rims!! Speaking to a few people who have changed the pads to ceramic they say that the brake dust problem has dramatically been reduced. As for rotors go. You change the rotors when they need to be changed. That means when they have been worn down past the recommended thickness. Than number can be gotten from any shop. When its time for me to change my rotors I plan on going to JHM lightweight ones that will reduce the unsprung weight of the car at each wheel.

I hope this helps. Please search through this forum and perhaps Euroaddiction as well. There is plenty of help and suggestions on the forums.

Good Luck and congrats on the purchase of a fine vehicle.

 

any suggestions on what to get for my B6 1.8t in terms or a new clutch system, also does anyone know of a good shop to go to for all my audi needs, either in kw area or toronto