My "estimates" before getting (planning) the 12 VW T TDI Sport (18 in wheels) were from another model SUV, the 4,800# 91/ 94/96/97 TLC's. ranges between 40,000 to 60,000 miles on brake pads with an 80,000 to 120,000 miles on brake rotors. The nexus SWAG here was really on weight (4,800 #'s vs VW T TDI of 4975*'s.

It might be hard to really say. The easiest way to swag is to actually measure the brake pads material remaining (rotors also). Mine is @ 45,000 miles and the pads are not even 2/32 nd in. worn. Needless to say, based on brake pad materials left, it is handily being exceeded. It routinely is driven upgrade and downgrade from zero to 7,300 ft in altitude, to seeing the literal and figurative "STREETS of San Francisco". Tire wear is app 15,000 miles per 1/32nd in, also.

VW T TDI's oem have (as most to all know) 3 sizes of wheels (18, 19, 20 in) and of course the "catch all" custom sizes. It would APPEAR from the various threads that 19, 20 and custom sizes experience more and multiple instances of: much faster wear on tire treads, alignments, balance, unevenness, mild to violent shaking, suspension components and lastly, brake pads and rotors. Be those as they may be: the so called "German" standard calls for brake pads AND rotors (and ancillary parts) to be changed when either brake pads or rotors is/are required. There are many on this board that either see fit or have measured rotors and found them to be within technical specifications, while changing only the brake pads and only those ancillary parts deemed to be needed.

 

From my experience, brakes life will depend on how much maintenance you are ready to do on them. When I sold my 2003 Pathfinder last summer (150,000 km), it was with the original front rotors and rear drums and still in very good condition. I did replace the original front pads at 110,000 km. I do my own maintenance every year taking the breaks apart, remove all dust and rust, add some high temp anti-seeze lubricant on all moving parts and bolts. It was the same for my 2006 Civic (own by my son now) and at near 200,000 km, it still with the original front rotors and still in very good condition.

It has nothing to do with rocket science... Every ''mooving'' parts must be able to moove without restriction (rust, dust etc.)

Needless to say that I already did my maintenance on my 2013 Treg (take the apart and lubricate everything so it wont rust and seeze) and also on my 2012 Passat TDI (twice).

 

Since you also are no stranger to "maintenance," what measurements did you get on brake pads materials remaining and mileage? Bottom line, short of actual brake pad and rotor replacement, and documentation: how many miles do you swag you can get on your 13 MY brake pads? Or how many miles (consumption) do you get per 1/32nd of brake pad material?

 

Depends soley on your driving conditions, and your ability to perform maintenance. I am sure there are a few out there that can get 70,80, 90, or 100k miles on their brake pads. But they are good at conserving momentum, and avoiding touching the brake pedal on their car like the plague.

 

Highway/City mix and driving style have everything to do with pad and rotor wear. I see lots of people riding brakes all the way down long inclines in the appalachians. Brake shops must love 'em. I drive about 80/20 highway/city, and have plenty of pad left at 64K on a 2011 Tdi. They look good to go to at least 70K or more.

 

I've got 80k on my touareg and they're only about 2/10th's worn.

 

I got roughly 52k out of the fronts before replacement. Rear still had 1/2 of their meat left.

I should say my wife got 52k out of them. She's rough on brakes.

 

I realize this thread is stale but I wanted to share my recent experience regarding brake life. I too have a 2012 Touareg TDI Lux. 19 inch wheels.

I purchased my Treg new and if you search any of my posts you will see that I drive a lot. I was simply stunned (ie. impressed) that I traveled over 100,000 miles before my "brakeware" light came on. Accordingly, I replaced my brakes at 102,000 miles in May 2015.

I replaced my brakes and rotors with the Pagid set as recommended by Geoff at Alretta Truck Parts. Unfortunately, I am now at 137,000 miles and my "brakeware" light has returned. I need pads and rotors again. Doing the math, I was only able to get 35,000 miles on my replacement pads and rotors. Given my experience with my original set, I am obviously disappointed.

Nothing has changed with my driving dynamic. I travel the same routes and drive rather conservatively. I do no towing. Consider me more like a soccer mom with two kids and a dog

My original brakes barely dusted. My Pagid replacements dusted like crazy. Especially in the front.

I have no question in my mind that Geoff is a straight shooter, well informed, and without a doubt one of the best service/sales professionals you will ever encounter. Having said that, the Pagid replacement setup may be spec'd as OEM quality, but my personal experience suggests otherwise.

Geoff has kindly suggested that I give the Raysbestos pads a try. I am still in decision mode at the moment and simply considering getting the parts from the VW dealer (quoted $800 - w/o sensors). Blasphemy I know.

I am open to any thoughts, advice, suggestions or questions from the group.

 

I realize this thread is stale but I wanted to share my recent experience regarding brake life. I too have a 2012 Touareg TDI Lux. 19 inch wheels. I purchased my Treg new and if you search any of my posts you will see that I drive a lot. I was simply stunned (ie. impressed) that I traveled over 100,000 miles before my "brakeware" light came on. Accordingly, I replaced my brakes at 102,000 miles in May 2015. I replaced my brakes and rotors with the Pagid set as recommended by Geoff at Alretta Truck Parts. Unfortunately, I am now at 137,000 miles and my "brakeware" light has returned. I need pads and rotors again. Doing the math, I was only able to get 35,000 miles on my replacement pads and rotors. Given my experience with my original set, I am obviously disappointed. Nothing has changed with my driving dynamic. I travel the same routes and drive rather conservatively. I do no towing. Consider me more like a soccer mom with two kids and a dog My original brakes barely dusted. My Pagid replacements dusted like crazy. Especially in the front. I have no question in my mind that Geoff is a straight shooter, well informed, and without a doubt one of the best service/sales professionals you will ever encounter. Having said that, the Pagid replacement setup may be spec'd as OEM quality, but my personal experience suggests otherwise. Geoff has kindly suggested that I give the Raysbestos pads a try. I am still in decision mode at the moment and simply considering getting the parts from the VW dealer (quoted $800 - w/o sensors). Blasphemy I know. I am open to any thoughts, advice, suggestions or questions from the group.

Appreciate the review. I am close to 100,000 miles with original brakes. Probably need to do something soon. OEM has been very good.

 

The pads used may be of a material that erodes faster, but has more "feel" or more "bite" than the stock brake pads. This could lead to faster stops in an emergency, but can lead to the brakes wearing out faster and/or creating more dust.

I change the brake pads on my track motorcycle about every 1500 miles and have absolutely no complaints about doing so (unlike the Treg, the rotors are not changed with the pads, but only when the rotors get too thin).

With that being said, if you got 100k + miles out of the stock set up and were pleased with their performance, I feel it would be silly to get something else unless others on here can chime in with an option that is significantly and has worked as well as the stock ones.

 

Just a quick correction to my last post. I actually replaced my brakes and rotors at 109,000 miles (not 102,000) which makes the Pagid replacement longevity that much worse. I was only able to get 28,000 miles out of the pads and rotors. Frankly, I now feel like I was ripped off.

Geoff from Alretta did offer a free set of Raysbestos pads but I find that of little solace considering the Pagid pads and rotors were sold to me as OEM quality. Caveat Emptor.


Has anyone tried the TRW pads on the T3? Care to share your experience?

 

I would just go with the OEM pads. Why consider anything else since you got 100k+ with the OEM? I'm at 89k on original brakes and I will be going OEM based on the lifespan (incredible).

 

I've only had my Touareg 10 months but planning to keep it "for ever" so interested in this sort of thread - I'd happily budget for OEM disk/pad change at 100,000 miles - especially as VW UK offer free subsequent replacement of pads.

 

Why consider anything else? ..... simply a function of cost/benefit. If there is a way to save money, I would like to know. Having said that, I don't think there is in this case. Cost/benefit seems clearly in favor of the OEM setup. I was quoted a $300-$400 difference on installing TRW parts vs OEM parts. Just trying to determine if TRW parts would get me close to OEM longevity performance.

 

OEM sounds like a no brainer

 

Guys, thanks for the feedback. Love this forum.

Obviously decided on OEM brakes and rotors. Install price was $1,200 which included sensors and tax.

Looking back, I spent $800 on parts (Alretta) and $200 on labor for my last brake job with clearly inferior pads/rotors.

All of you can learn from my mistake.

I wish I was a mechanic, plumber, carpenter, and electrician all wrapped up in one. For some reason I feel I am best at just grabbing my ankles.

 

We are at 82K with original brakes and rotors, I am with above post that with good performance and long life from the OEM set up I am inclined to replace with same set up even though it will be expensive but if you break down cost per mile it makes sense.

 

My light came on this week, @105k... spent about 150$ at Autozone for pads and sensors, ill get em switched out this weekend. My rotors look great, so im not replacing them.

 

Well, Maybe it's because much of our driving is on the open road, but finally replaced pads and rotors at 217,000 miles. The light never came on, but the wife started complaining about a shudder when applying the brakes. So I figured with that many miles I might as well change them out. Now at 222 K miles and they're as smooth as silk.

 

Gordon Norah! Do you drive 500 miles at a time without ever applying the brakes??!

My wife's little 1 ton pocket rocket has today had it's second set of front rotors and pads at 100K and, unusually, by chance I managed to max the wear on the pads too!

 

Actually Noob, On some of our trips It is possible to go more than a couple hundred miles without touching them. I will coast into a rest area slow enough to only need the brakes in the last few feet. Much of it does come down to my style of driving. I try to keep a safe following distance, Keeping an eye on the traffic 5 to 10 cars ahead of me. If I see a brake light, the cruise control is cancelled. My New Beetle TDI and Jetta TDI have manual transmissions, so I add downshifts to the mix. The Jetta's rear pads replaced at 217 K. Still on the original front pads at 240 K. New Beetle received new pads all around at 314 K. Still on the original rotors at 383 K. My advice is to DRIVE GENTLY.

 

77K on my 2011 Touareg and original brakes going strong

 

Almost 94k. Original brakes. I had 40% left at my 90k service. Amazing.


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It is the highway mileage that allows the brakes to last. I do over half my mileage on long distance highway and at last service 48k miles the brakes were barely worn. If you are in a big city or drive to work in stop and go traffic the results will be much worse. Unfortunately you can't control that unless you move .LOL

 

I do mostly suburban driving, and at 53000 miles, my brakes are fine, no pad replacement yet. I'm hopeful for 80K or more.

 

Never thought of using a mobile dunny bucket as an airbrake before!

 

I'm a hair under 96k and I think I have to get new brakes and rotors. The infamous 'Brake Ware' light goes on an off that past few days. Going to take a better look at it tomorrow. If I do need new ones, I'm still very impressed with the brake life. Tremendous.

 

I got around 112k miles out of the brakes on my 2012. The brake wear indicator didn't come on the mfd but they were vibrating pretty hard when warm. When I removed them they still had a bit of pad left but were definitely getting low.