What Brand of Brake Pads Does Audi Use?

Audi primarily uses OEM brake pads supplied under its own Genuine Parts label, with the main underlying manufacturers being TRW (ZF Group), Brembo, and ATE, depending on model and brake specification. In other words, there is no single “Audi brake pad brand”; Audi sources from several top-tier suppliers and sells the parts under the Audi/VAG (Volkswagen Group) label.

How Audi Sources Its Brake Pads

The question of which brand of brake pads Audi uses is more complex than it appears, because modern carmakers rarely manufacture friction materials themselves. Instead, they work with specialized suppliers who engineer pads to meet very specific performance, safety, and comfort criteria, then package them as OEM (original equipment manufacturer) components under the Audi Genuine Parts brand.

Main OEM Suppliers Behind Audi-Branded Brake Pads

Audi relies on several established brake manufacturers that are also widely known in the aftermarket. These companies often produce nearly identical or closely related pads for both Audi’s assembly lines and the independent parts market.

TRW (ZF Group)

TRW, now part of ZF Group, is one of the most prominent brake component suppliers for the Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT, Škoda, and others.

This list outlines why TRW is considered a core supplier of Audi brake pads.

• TRW supplies a large share of Audi’s front and rear brake calipers and pads, especially on volume models like the A3, A4, A5, Q3, and Q5.
• Many Audi OEM pads carry TRW markings or codes, even when sold in Audi-branded boxes.
• TRW’s engineering focus includes low noise, consistent pedal feel, and integration with electronic stability and ABS systems, all core requirements for Audi vehicles.
• In the European aftermarket, TRW often markets pads that closely match Audi’s factory friction formulations.

Because of this strong integration, TRW is widely regarded as Audi’s default or “bread-and-butter” brake pad supplier across much of the lineup.

Brembo

Brembo is best known for its performance braking systems and is heavily used by Audi on higher-spec and sport-oriented models.

This list explains on which vehicles Brembo is typically involved and why it matters.

• High-performance models such as S and RS variants (e.g., S4, RS4, RS5, RS6, RS7, some TT RS and R8 versions) frequently use Brembo calipers and pads, especially on larger multi-piston front setups.
• Certain optional performance brake packages on mainstream models (e.g., larger front brakes or “S line” packages) may come with Brembo hardware.
• Brembo supplies both steel brake pad systems and, in some cases, friction materials tuned for ceramic-disc setups where fitted.
• Parts may be branded as Audi Genuine Parts but carry Brembo references or logos on the caliper castings and pad backing plates.

As a result, when people refer to “Audi performance brakes,” they are often, in practice, referring to Brembo systems paired with Audi engineering and calibration.

ATE (Continental)

ATE, a Continental brand, has a long-standing relationship with many German manufacturers, including the broader Volkswagen Group.

This list shows ATE’s main roles within Audi’s brake system ecosystem.

• ATE supplies brake pads and hydraulic components for various Audi models, particularly in Europe.
• Some mid-range and diesel or fleet-oriented models have been supplied with ATE friction components from the factory.
• ATE is also deeply involved in ABS and ESC (electronic stability control) systems, which enhances its integration with Audi’s overall braking strategies.
• ATE-branded pads sold in the aftermarket are often advertised as “OE equivalent” for many Audi fitments because ATE is an actual OEM supplier.

While less visible to consumers than Brembo on sporty cars, ATE is a key contributor to the braking equipment on many everyday Audi models.

Other OEM and Tier-1 Suppliers

Depending on model year, region, and specific brake options, Audi can also source friction materials or related components from other established suppliers.

This list highlights additional suppliers that may appear behind Audi Genuine Parts.

• Pagid/TMD Friction: Occasionally supplies pads for particular applications or as service parts in certain markets.
• Textar: Another major friction supplier associated with German brands; may appear on backing plate stamps in some applications.
• Bosch: Often involved in electronic brake control systems and occasionally in friction material supply, particularly for service parts.
• Regional suppliers: For localized production and cost optimization, Audi may contract regional friction manufacturers that meet VW Group specifications.

These additional suppliers help Audi match supply, cost, and regulatory requirements across different markets while maintaining performance standards.

How to Identify the Brand of Brake Pads on a Specific Audi

Determining the exact supplier brand on your particular Audi typically requires a physical inspection or checking build and parts information, because the retail box will almost always say “Audi” or “VW/Audi” rather than TRW, Brembo, or ATE.

Checking the Existing Brake Pads

One direct method is to inspect the pad backing plates and calipers on the car itself.

This list describes practical steps and clues for identifying pad manufacturers on an Audi.

• Look through the wheel spokes for markings on the caliper: Brembo calipers usually have clear branding, especially on performance models.
• During a brake service, examine the pad backing plates: manufacturers often stamp small logos or codes like “TRW,” “ATE,” or supplier-specific part numbers.
• Compare pad shapes and codes with supplier catalogs (TRW, ATE, Brembo), which often list OE references tied to Audi part numbers.
• Ask your Audi dealer or independent specialist to note the supplier codes when replacing pads and to share the part number details with you.

Although this approach requires either a wheel-off inspection or professional help, it is the most reliable way to learn which brand your car left the factory with.

Using VIN and Parts Catalogs

Digital parts catalogs and VIN decoding tools can also provide insight into OEM pad sources.

This list shows how electronic parts information can help identify your pad brand.

• Dealership electronic parts catalogs (ETKA or similar VW Group systems) show official Audi part numbers and sometimes link them to supplier references.
• Online OEM parts retailers may cross-reference Audi part numbers to TRW, Brembo, or ATE equivalents in the background.
• Independent European parts catalogs (e.g., TecDoc-based sites) often indicate the OE supplier and display “OE manufacturer” notes.
• By entering your VIN, some third-party tools can narrow down which brake system (TRW, Brembo, etc.) your specific build uses.

While not always as explicit as a logo on a caliper, these digital resources can give a strong indication of the underlying brand behind Audi’s Genuine brake pads.

OEM vs Aftermarket: Staying Close to Audi’s Original Specification

For owners deciding whether to stick with Audi-branded pads or buy aftermarket, understanding the supplier landscape is particularly useful.

Using Audi Genuine Parts

Staying with Audi Genuine brake pads means you are purchasing the exact specification Audi has validated for your vehicle, even though the friction material is actually made by TRW, Brembo, ATE, or another OEM supplier.

This list outlines the main benefits and trade-offs of using Audi Genuine pads.

• Guaranteed compatibility with your braking system, including ABS, ESC, and brake wear sensors.
• Friction characteristics (bite, fade resistance, noise, dust level) matched to the original factory tuning.
• Warranty coverage when installed at an Audi dealership, depending on region and policy.
• Typically higher cost compared with reputable aftermarket pads from the same suppliers.

For many owners, particularly on newer vehicles or performance models, Genuine pads offer the most predictable and manufacturer-approved outcome.

Choosing OEM-Equivalent Aftermarket Pads

Because Audi’s OEM suppliers also sell into the aftermarket, drivers can often buy pads that are extremely close to factory spec without the Audi logo.

This list explains why OEM-equivalent pads are a popular alternative.

• TRW, ATE, and Brembo-branded pads are widely available and often list exact Audi part-number cross-references.
• Pricing is usually lower than dealer-supplied Genuine pads, with comparable performance and quality.
• Some lines are marketed as “OE formulation” or “OE technology,” reflecting the suppliers’ role on the production line.
• Specialized compounds (low dust, high performance, or ceramic formulations) are available if you want to adjust characteristics versus the factory setup.

Opting for these OEM-equivalent pads allows many Audi owners to balance cost, performance, and authenticity while staying close to the original design.

Key Takeaways: There Is No Single “Audi Brake Pad Brand”

A core point often overlooked is that Audi’s braking systems are the product of collaboration rather than a single in-house brand. The name on the box you buy from the dealer is “Audi,” but the friction material itself almost always comes from specialized suppliers working under strict Audi and Volkswagen Group specifications.

Summary of Brands and Usage

To put the supplier mix in perspective, it helps to look at the typical patterns across the lineup.

This list summarizes the most common brake pad brands associated with various Audi segments.

• TRW (ZF Group): Widely used across mainstream Audi models (A3, A4, A5, Q3, Q5, and similar), often the default OEM supplier for standard braking systems.
• Brembo: Prominent on performance and higher-end models (S/RS cars, R8, and certain optional big-brake packages), especially where multi-piston calipers and larger discs are fitted.
• ATE (Continental): Integral to many European-market and mid-range models; often found as OE or service pads and in hydraulic/ABS components.
• Other Tier-1 suppliers (Pagid/TMD, Textar, Bosch, regional manufacturers): Used for specific applications, market-specific variants, or service parts, always under Audi’s technical specifications.

These patterns can vary by model year, trim level, options package, and production plant, but together they define the ecosystem that stands behind the Audi Genuine Parts label.

Conclusion and Practical Summary

Audi does not rely on a single branded line of brake pads. Instead, it uses a network of leading brake manufacturers—most notably TRW, Brembo, and ATE—to design and produce pads that meet its performance, safety, and comfort standards, then sells them as Audi Genuine Parts. For owners, that means:

This final list distills what drivers should remember when thinking about brake pad brands on an Audi.

• The pads your Audi came with are almost certainly made by a specialist like TRW, Brembo, or ATE, even if the box says “Audi.”
• You can often identify the underlying brand by inspecting calipers and backing plates or using VIN-based parts catalogs.
• Choosing Audi Genuine pads ensures factory-correct performance; choosing OEM-equivalent TRW, Brembo, or ATE pads can offer similar quality at lower cost.
• There is no universal, single answer to “What brand of brake pads does Audi use?”—it depends on your specific model, trim, and brake package.

In summary, Audi relies on a small group of top-tier suppliers rather than a single brake pad brand, with TRW, Brembo, and ATE providing most of the OEM pads that end up on Audi vehicles worldwide.

How much do Audi brake pads cost?

Audi Brake Pad Replacement Cost Estimates
The average cost for a Brake Pad Replacement is between $367 and $460 but can vary from car to car.

Does Audi use Brembo brakes?

The Audi RS7 uses 8-piston Brembo brake calipers with 420x40mm front ceramic brake rotors.

Is Bosch or Brembo better?

Which is better, Brembo or Bosch? Brembo brake pads offer superior stopping power and sporty performance but can wear faster under heavy use. Bosch brake pads offer reliable braking, high quality and durability suitable for a wide range of vehicles.

Is Raybestos better than OEM?

The Raybestos Truck And Tow Brake Pad Set fits the bill. It provides the stopping power OEM brake pads can’t under extreme load and high temperatures. These brake pads also produce less dust, noise, and brake fade. That means they’ll last longer than OEM brakes.