Common brake problems in the Audi A6 (4B)

Hello everyone!

It is now widely known that Audi A6 (4B) models have issues with the brakes when driving on wet surfaces. I have also been driving one of the affected A6 models for about nine months. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago, I almost had an accident on the highway because someone pulled into my lane without regard, and I had to brake suddenly and forcefully with wet and cold brakes. In addition to the shock, the brakes initially have almost no effect for the first 1-2 seconds, which is a terrifying experience. One tries to compensate for this by applying more pressure to the brake, which, of course, can lead to unexpected reactions .
The next day, I went directly to my Audi service center and asked if they could find a solution to the problem. The customer service representative said that there were other brake pads available, but he would have to check his system. After almost 30 minutes, he said that there were no other pads, but only 'wheel spoilers' that could be installed. Last week, these were installed at Audi's expense. I haven't been able to test the effectiveness yet, because we're finally having some nice weather .
The other day, I immediately encountered the first disadvantage of these 'spoilers'... because I have a sports suspension on my Audi, the car is already a few millimeters lower. These 'spoilers' are mounted in front of the front wheel arch, which further reduces the clearance underneath. As a result, when I was driving up an embankment (with both front wheels simultaneously), both 'spoilers' scraped heavily on the ground and almost came off...

I'm now curious to know if these things actually work! Has anyone had these things professionally installed and noticed an improvement?
If things don't improve, what else can be done? I don't want to always be afraid and anxious when it's wet after that experience.
I can't quite imagine that Audi wouldn't voluntarily recall all the affected vehicles for retrofitting due to these problems. For me, this car is anything but road-safe when it's wet.

I would be very grateful to hear your opinions and experiences!

Best regards from Mainz.

DENNIS

Hello Dennis!

I have an A6 manufactured in January 2002, which came from the factory with these 'wheel arch extensions' (or 'wheel well liners'). I haven't had any bad experiences with it when it's wet.
According to reports in several industry publications, the defects should have been resolved.

Best regards, D.

Hi,

I had a very similar brake problem with my old A6/C4.
I then installed brake discs from ATE, and the response time in wet conditions improved significantly.
It's a bit annoying that the brake noises have increased slightly, but it's worth it for the added safety.
The durability is also okay; it was installed at 120,000 km, and now the car has 210,000 km on the odometer. I estimate that the pads and rotors will last another 30,000 km, although it will be mostly highway driving.

Olli.

Are wheel spoilers also available for an A6 C4?


It takes a little while for the brakes to fully engage when it's raining.
Otherwise, I will also use the brake discs that Olli chose when I change my brakes.
I think mine are still likely to be ready this year.


Thank you and best regards.
Wool

Unfortunately, there are no wheel spoilers available for the C4; I never had any problems with that model either (2.5 TDI, '94-'9 ). But I do have problems with my current A6! The spoilers are there, but the effect is, well, minimal. Starting with the facelift, there's a more streamlined and powerful brake booster, plus brake assist, larger discs, and pads. That works. For the pre-facelift model, I recommend the ATE (formerly Conti Teves) Powerdist plus standard pads; it really offers advantages (I have them in my A3). They cost 10% more than the standard ones. And there's no more grooving. If you want to improve the braking performance right away, I recommend the ATE retrofit kit. It includes 2 x 16" (322mm) Powerdisk discs for the front (instead of 280mm or smaller) and Powerdisk discs for the rear, in the standard size. Besides the existing brake caliper, there's another option available, along with larger brake pads. You'll need at least 16-inch rims (possibly with spacers) or 17-inch rims. The total cost is approximately €1000. This is the cheapest option for Brembo or Porsche brakes, etc. The braking system costs at least €3000, and I believe a TÜV (German technical inspection) is not required (due to the ABE approval).

Best regards, David.

Hello,
Driving a '98 3B with the same issues.
Through the workshop where I work, I also have good connections to Ate, who are very familiar with this problem. Their statement: There is definitely no current solution to this problem of delayed braking performance in wet conditions, with salt, etc., even though Audi/VW are working feverishly on it. The only solution that can be implemented is - as mentioned above - the Powerdisk from Ate or other sports discs (e.g., slotted). The high price is offset by the longer lifespan of the pads and discs.
Best regards - Alchard

I should probably ask about this too... So, is the Passat 3B also affected? My parents have a similar device (02/01), and they also had problems with the brakes that they couldn't explain, but the descriptions above might be relevant.

Does this still apply for that year of manufacture? Year of manufacture, as mentioned, is 02/01, with 4 disc brakes (equipped with a 1.8T engine).

Best regards,

Jan.

Hello,
I don't know how long this issue persists. A whole range of models are affected, specifically the 3B series, Audi A6, mostly vehicles with the rear-wheel drive system. I'm not sure if it has been fixed in newer models. I myself have experienced several near-accidents due to the delayed braking behavior. I think it might also be related to the brake supplier. My colleague drives a 3B, also a 1998 model, and according to him, he doesn't have any problems. It's noticeable that after a short period of inactivity and high humidity (e.g., drizzle), my brake discs are completely covered in surface rust, while his are almost clean. I suspect that there are significant quality differences in the parts being used. Of course, the suppliers are being squeezed very hard. The purchase prices of brake discs are not much higher than the price of steel per kilogram...
Best regards and good night.
Alchard.