I have had 3 sets of pads and one set of rotors in 200000KM. Rotors were replaced at about 60000KM. Never had the pad warning come up.

 

General consensus of the experts whose posts I have read on this forum is that new rotors ARE needed the majority of the time when pads are replaced on the Touareg due to the VW design tolerances don't allow rotors to be turned on a lathe and still meet the rotor thickness requirements. Given the total cost of the Touareg brake job the consensus is that "do it right" and don't cheap out trying to reuse the old rotors. Given that the brakes are stopping 3 tons of SUV makes sense to me.

Search for posts from Qpower1 he sells as good as or better than original VW Brake Repair packages for hundreds of dollars less than the VW parts prices.

 

There are after market Australian made front slotted rotors available for the R5. Haven't checked on other models or you can get full Brembo systems.

 

Hello Colin,
I have just had my front brakes replaced at 57,000kms a couple of months ago.
Like you the old warning message came on the display letting me know.

I did the homework about what was required to be replaced and found that the rotors, while appearing okay, did need to be replaced. Volkswagen has pretty tight tolerances on them and are designed to be replaced.
After heaps of research on the net about the brakes and asking some local shops I ended up going to the dealer and having it done. Many shops were unsure on the parts required for the updated model, one had never heard of a Touareg before (he thought I had a Tarago).

Ball park figure for the job was parts $800 and labour $150-200.

Part numbers for your reference:
7L0907637 is the wear sensors, you need two.
7L6615302N is the front right hand rotor.
7L6615301N is the front left hand rotor.
7L6698151E is your pair of front pads.

You can try around an Audi parts/dealership as the parts are the same as the Q7, also Porsche may surprise you with pricing.
The task of changing the rotors and pads over is simple so if you can score them at a good price anyone can do that for you.

Also have a look at your rear ones when you can, I have heaps of life in them so no need for them to be replaced. Don’t let your dealer con you into a full replacement as this will double the price.

 

Didn't replace my rotors. They were checked by a brake specialist before machining.

Also, if the warning light is on, don't assume you can drive far, especially in the city.

 

Brakes - the outcome

So, at 42K KM the brake warning light came one. The dealer said both front and rear needed replacing plus all rotors at a cost of A$2700.
Took the car to a Perth repair shop specialising in VW and he also confirmed front and rear and said rotors could not be machined without going below VW specs.
He did the job using after market parts for A$1280. Time will tell how long the aftermarket parts last.

 

So, at 42K KM the brake warning light came one. The dealer said both front and rear needed replacing plus all rotors at a cost of A$2700.
Took the car to a Perth repair shop specialising in VW and he also confirmed front and rear and said rotors could not be machined without going below VW specs.
He did the job using after market parts for A$1280. Time will tell how long the aftermarket parts last.

Hi Colin, how are the after market brakes going ? I am in Perth and would be keen to get the name of the repair shop you used if you recommend?

Thanks
Aaron

 

Colin,

I am on 44k now and warning triggered. I have been doing serious homework and can confirm the following with regard to V6 Tdi models.
Front rotors are 330mm diameter x 32mm thick ventilated and tolerance is 30mm (ie 1mm wear either side and you need to replace) By feeling the wear lip on the outer diameter of the rotor which cuts into the sensor I can believe that its new rotors every time you change pads. The only aussie made rotors I can find are from www.rdabrakes.com.au and fronts are going for around $180.00 each. www.adb.com.au have them listed but had confirmation this week that they have not done a production run on them yet and wont until demand increases !!

I removed my pads to inspect and can confirm they are the Pagid brand. I have ordered a set of front Pagid pads and a set of wear sensors from the US via ebay for $170.00 delivered. So all upto parts for front total $530.00.

I bypassed the wear sensors that trigged the warning (both left and right front inner pad) and warning is now off. I am now waiting for parts to arrive to do the job myself, as it is really easy and hoping alarm doesnt trigger again. There is a good 5-7mm still on each pad.

 

How did you bypass the sensors?

 

DBA have slotted rotors for R5 on web site. Havnt put v6tdi in to see if they are available.

 

Does anyone know what the part numbers for the R5 TDI is?, The DBA web site seems to have parts for 16" wheels and for 18" wheels. I have 17" wheels.

 

Sorry for the typo "adb.com.au" in my previous post.........wrong !
It is www.DBA.com.au as Murray mentions.

 

aftermarket price is 1/3rd for what VW want to charge. During the last service I got told that all four rotors and pads need replacing. I've decided to wait until the warning comes on and then use dba rotors & bendix pads. Cost for all four inc sensors for the v10 will be about $1000

 

Agree Singh. If Ive still got mine when it is due going to look at aftermarket stuff. I have never had the warning come on yet have had one set of rotors and I think 3 pad changes in 200000k.

 

Seems like our R5's aren't that heavy on brakes. I've had one set of fronts and one set of rears and I'm on 107,000km now. Still on the original discs. Rears will last at least up to 180k. Fronts will probably need new discs and pads at around 135k.

 

I think the R5 is the best unless you tow. Cruises just the same as the others.

 

My R5 needed fronts at 95k km and the original rears were still fine when I sold it at ~ 120k. Also they are "kombi brakes" (matches for Transporter ones) apparently so aftermarket should be easy and cheap.

 

Moonan have you had any issues with the Q5?

 

Hi Murray,
Zero issues to date, just pining for low range occasionally (for no good reason really)...
Actually, it goes better than an R5, uses 30% less fuel, and after 15k in 4 months or so is totally free of rattles etc...
I don't tow anything heavy (Q5 has only 2 tonnes towing) but loving it so far!
7 speed DSG means that if cruising at 80k you are only doing 1400 revs or so in top, and there's a very minor harmonic (can feel a slight "drumming" sound), and initial tyres won't last as long as the R5's, but I'm enjoying it very much.
Handling dynamics are significantly better tan steel-sprung T, but not as soft in the suspension.

cheers,

..Neil

 

Hi Neil
I had a look at one the other day and thought the seats looked narrow. But I like the overall size. Not much smaller than the treg. I have only ever had mine in low range once in a muddy paddock for fun. Not a 4 x 4 nut. Price seems better than treg for the v6tdi which is what i would get. No full size spare which is a concern.
Still trying to make up my mind about getting something sporty (R36 passat) or sensible. Doing one more trip in the treg in March and will decide when I get back.

 

R5TDi brake parts have some commonality with the T5 Transporter, which uses a 16" wheel. You can actually fit a 16" wheel on your R5 as well, incidentally. It's the only Touareg that can go that small.

Be careful with slotted & cross-drilled discs in off-road conditions. They trap dirt, reduce braking performance and wear pads quicker as a result.

If yours is a "tarmac only" Treg it's fine, but if you're using it off-road I'd suggest you stick to the normal stuff.

 

Hi All,

Excuse my ignorance, what are the advantages of using slotted & cross-drilled discs over normal Touareg Brakes. Especially if you are only using them on Tarmac and not going off road.

 

When i looked at the site last just had to enter model & make. They are under the 4x4 section. Front only listed for r5.

 

My TDI needs all four rotors and pads. Dealer quoted $2570 and with some squeezing got them down to $2370... Given some of the prices for parts listed in this forum, does my quote seem a tad 'excited'
Is the general advice to stick with dealers when this is being done? I am under new car warranty. Would after-market pose warranty issues? Appreciate your feedback

 

JABC,
how many KM's have you got up? And what type of driving are you doing?
I got around 50,000kms from my front ones with 1/2 city start/stop and 1/2 interstate travel, the rears are still okay at 65,000kms.

May be a second option may be in order. Go and see your local brake bloke and see what they have to say.

Brake rotor/pad replacement is a very simple task which you can trust to any good specialist in that field, if you want to go VW parts then just get them from your dealer and have your local guy replace them...you may find the hour rate worth it.

 

JABC,
how many KM's have you got up? And what type of driving are you doing?

Mine has done 64k and the light came on at about 62. The dealer told me that when they replace the pads, they skim the rotors. The front rotors are almost on the limit now and the rears have a bit of meat left on them. I figure they are best to do them together. The rears will need doing in the next 6-12 months for sure.
As for driving, mine is 70% highway and 30% light traffic (we are lucky people), but as I've only had the Treg for 3 months (6k) I'm not sure of the driving type prior. It was a country car to begin with.

I will get some prices from some other brake specialists. I won't cut too many corners though. I reckon stopping this beasty is pretty important. I'm also conscious of keeping balance of relationship with my local dealer. They are going into bat for me on a couple of issues.

Thanks for your feedback guys

 

agree with Flipper Dog; ring around & get it done for less than half the vw price. I've clocked 42000kms and the warning light hasnt come on yet.
you shouldnt have any warranty issues..

 

With the US Dollar almost 1:1 right now I saved heaps bringing in OEM Pagid pads myself. (Keep the folding stuff in your pocket. Why give it to a stealer?)

- The same goes for the Castrol Longlife III oil. I pay $ 17.00 litre, not $30+ from the stealer.

 

JABC,
that sounds like a good run out of you front ones, yeah I guess in the Western Australian rural areas it can be less stressful on your brakes.

Yes pads and rotors have to be replaced together; you will also be up for a pair of sensors at the same time. If you want to go OEM it is up to you, and to be honest I went the Volkswagen originals as well. Having a big heavy vehicle the proven brakes have always been good to me so why push the friendship

I would hold off on the rears just now as it would be a waste to your pocket and the environment :?: swapping them over when you don't need to.

Like I said before you can get the parts from your dealer if you want and have someone else fit them for you as that may save some dollars or just have the work done by your dealer. I personally went through my dealer as it was convenient as I was having a service done at the same time.

To give you an idea on pricing; parts cost me (front only) around $800 and labour $170 but I have a discount on labour rates.

Pads – V*7L6698151E = $291.74 (a set)
Discs – (left and right) V*7L6615301N and V*7L6615302N = $221.45 (each)
Sensors – V*7L0907637 = $82.36 (a set).

 

Thanks Flipper Dog for the price comparison. I'm with you re the convenience of going through the dealer. Given that time is money, we need to factor in how much time we could spend shopping around for possible better deal. And brakes ain't something were you want bargain basement deals!

 

Agree but you can get better for the same money or a little more. I had a GT system fitted to a XR8 ute and the difference was amazing for about $200.00 more than standard rotors & pads. If I was keeping mine much longer I would be looking at a BREMBO system.