Here’s what the stock pads will do to your disc…
http://rs4.thefarnys.com/uploads/2/0/3/6/20360897/246396496.jpg
Weight reduction^
Are you sure it does that at 50 percent?
I wonder if the stock pads on the Rs5 is the same. I just know that rotor warping seems to be a common issue on the stock wave rotors.
There is no such thing as rotor warping. The feeling people associate and think is rotor warp is pad deposits. It is common for ware sensors to dig into the rotors.
I don’t know, could be much less! The picture caption for that photo of the exposed retaining pins said, “Stock Audi RS4 Pads - 50% Worn.” Here is the rest of the quote from Zeckhausen:
[quote]Factory Audi front brake pads have metal retaining pins embedded in the friction material. In theory, these pins are supposed to be soft enough to wear with the pads. In fact, they dig into your expensive Audi rotors and can ruin them, even if your pads are only 50% worn and BEFORE your pad wear sensor is triggered.
The stock pads only start out with about 11mm of thickness (not including the metal backing plate). It doesn’t take many miles for the rivets to become exposed and your front rotors to start looking like a phonograph record.
[/quote]
Dunno, mine got really low and didn’t wreck them
Interesting!
My RS4’s experience:
At time of purchase (private sale), the prior owner had just paid to replace the grooved front discs (at 42,000 miles). He said it was the second time the car needed a front disc replacement. He had all work done at Audi of Atlanta (with OEM parts).
I swapped the OEM pads out ASAP, and sold the stockers in as-new condition. Since then, running stoptech street pads, the car has topped 60k with no noticeable grooving at all. Discs look great.
I just bought the car last month and haven’t really driven it too much but I would like more bite. I think the stock pads feel a little spongy. I want something with similar or better stopping power but with better initial bite.
as mentioned this guy is selling a brand new oem front pads for $150 so I’m thinking of just getting that for now and saving some money.
oh these are cheap.
how do they perform compared to stock? if they are similar or better I will get them.
thanks.
Equivalent performance, and MUCH lower dust.
Always hear good things about those pads. Just make sure to get the pads with the sensors on them.
Jae, post some pics of your car.
i just ordered the pads. can the sensors on the current pads be switched over to the new stoptech pads?
if not, where can i order a new pair of sensors?
i will try to post some photos this weekend 
Stoptech pads have the sensor and connection built in. Plug and play.
I usually cut the harness off of the brake pad and solder the wires together and plug it back in.
But that’s also because I swap pads out for track events and thus am always aware of how much material I have left.
nice. thanks for all the info!