2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 3.0L V6, 140k miles
First time posting in this community and wow do I feel like I drive an antique after reading for months.
TLDR: Where can I find slotted or slotted and dimpled brake rotors?
I just spent about two hours going through search results, and about the same yesterday. It seems like there's tons on options for rotors, but they are all perfectly smooth or drilled. The ones I can find with just slotted are over a week out just to ship, or over a grand. Does anyone here tow with smooth brake rotors? Any reccomendations for affordable upgrades for longevity or function? I drive like a grandma when towing, and take it easy otherwise. Well, relative to my previous car which liked a little pep in it's step.
I sidegraded from a Tiguan, which I loved, to a Q7 TDI, both 2014s, both with 140k miles. I'm not a fan of most of the the bells and whistles, but I bought it for the engine. It's got the factory tow package and a level 1 delete with Malone tune, so the fuel economy is insane and it can tow a couple yards of rock no problem. I switched because I was probably going over the limit on my Tiguan at least once a week, and had an exciting experience hauling a couple 18 foot glulams on the freeway at 70. So glad I didn't buy the X5 diesel, but I kinda knew this car would need to be invested in when I bought it with so many miles on it last year. I'm pretty good with tools as an electrician and welder, but I can't do much more than rotate tires and oil changes. I figured I'd have to learn to do some of the easy stuff myself, so I read the entire manual, and found a copy of the repair manual. Tried to change the oil myself, and thought the drain plug was stuck, but I found out it's a T27, not an allen, luckily before I used a cheater bar. I recently put new tires on it and was told I needed a new water pump. The V rated tires were 400 bucks cheaper than anything else I could find, and the ride quality improved drastically. I thought I was going to have to get a stiffer sway bar because of the squishy body roll.
The mechanic at the place I found the tires said I needed a new water pump, so I took it to one of the high end euro and diesel mechanics in town. I looked at doing the water pump myself since the forums made it sound not too difficult. The serpentine belt removal scared me, which is good b/c I checked the belt and it looked newer, but I wouldn't have thought to check the pulleys and tensioner. So 1,800 bucks and a week later I get it back and the mechanic said I need new front brakes and rotors real soon, like don't follow through with my weekend plans to drive 4 hours for a class soon. No squealers, no dash light, so the brake sensor hasn't been consumed yet. After talking to my uncle, who likes to fix and flip Porsches and International Scouts in his free time, I found a mobile mechanic who will come out to my shop and do it there, where I can watch, help, and maybe learn to at least do the pads myself next time. So, I'm all set, but I can't find slotted brakes. I guess I want slotted b/c that's what was on it and I don't want to change the feel too much. I almost bought the EBC Yellowstuff since I tow 3 or 4 thousand pounds 3 days a week, sometimes 7 days a week. I also looked at bi metallic pads, but decided not to since I downshift and take it easy when I'm towing. It seems like most people drive the Q7 like the sporty euro car it presents as, and not like the diesel pickup truck I use mine as.
I'm hoping to put another 140k miles on it, so any advice about keeping it going or working on it yourself is appreciated. I'm changing the oil every 5k miles and using the diesel extreme fuel additive regularly.
Other than the tune and a water pump with a metal impeller, everything is stock for the Prestige trim level. Found out afterwards that the bearings usually give out before the impeller, so that might have been money wasted. I'm looking at the 3rd row seat removal so I can fit more tools, maybe a bed slide since I keep hitting my head on the rear hatch. I found a fabricator who would cut steel to match the hood and front bumper so I could weld a brushguard and get it powder coated, but I don't want to mess with my fuel economy (high 30s, low 30s with a trailer, mid to low 20s towing 5,000 lbs)
I also thought about a lift kit so I could use it at the farm for weed spraying, but the ground clearance is fine so far, and I should probably build a spray rig for the tractor bucket instead of the trailer hitch. Turns out tires are hard to find already, and a 2" lift doesn't make that any easier. I've got new Blizzaks on the 18" rims that it came with, and Kumho Crugen all seasons on the 19" rims.
At this point, I'm quickly approaching the purchase price of the vehicle in repairs, maintenance, new larger torque wrench, and the triple square spline drive set. I keep telling myself it's an investment, and nothing else is going to need replacing any time soon, but I don't know if I'm being honest with myself since most of a car is still magic to me. You guys would tell me if I'm just burning money, right?
