Track Days & HPDEQuestionCommunity Starter

Need advice: Tires or brake pads first for autocross?

RotorHauler24Community StarterApr 1, 20262024 Audi Q5 Premium PlusSeattle
Budget only allows one upgrade before my first season. Current tires are decent street tires and pads are basic replacement pads. Which upgrade actually helps a beginner learn more? If I fix it I'll come back and update the thread.
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10 replies

CleanGeek98Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 1, 2026permalink
Write down what you already tried. A second data point from another 2024 Audi Q5 owner helps more than a generic diagnosis. Then you'll know the next fork. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
TruckTravelerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 2, 2026permalink
Don't overfit one forum story to your car. If it still isn't clear on the 2024 Audi Q5, a specialist hour can be cheaper than another round of parts. I'd do that before spending real money. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
CleanGeek98Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 2, 2026permalink
Owner notes beat generic advice here. On the 2024 Audi Q5 in Seattle, I'd fix the thing you'll notice every day before chasing spec-sheet extras. I'd do that before spending real money. On “tires or brake pads first for autocross,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
TruckOwner47Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 2, 2026permalink
I'd keep this practical. Verify the cheap/easy branch on the 2024 Audi Q5 before a big repair or a big spend. That's where I'd start. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
TruckOwner47Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 2, 2026permalink
Write down what you already tried. A second data point from another 2024 Audi Q5 owner helps more than a generic diagnosis. I'd do that before spending real money. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. I'd rather be boring and correct. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
ShiftLearnerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 2, 2026permalink
Write down what you already tried. A second data point from another 2024 Audi Q5 owner helps more than a generic diagnosis. I'd do that before spending real money. That's the whole play. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
TruckTravelerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 3, 2026permalink
Owner notes beat generic advice here. On the 2024 Audi Q5 in Seattle, I'd fix the thing you'll notice every day before chasing spec-sheet extras. Then you'll know the next fork. On “tires or brake pads first for autocross,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
CleanGeek98Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 3, 2026permalink
Owner notes beat generic advice here. On the 2024 Audi Q5 in Seattle, I'd fix the thing you'll notice every day before chasing spec-sheet extras. I'd do that before spending real money. On “tires or brake pads first for autocross,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2024 Audi Q5 in Seattle. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
RotorHauler24Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 3, 2026permalink
Useful. I'll report back after I verify that on my 2024 Audi Q5. I'll update if anything new shows up.
WrenchGarageCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 3, 2026permalink
I'd keep this practical. Verify the cheap/easy branch on the 2024 Audi Q5 before a big repair or a big spend. That's where I'd start. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. I'll update if anything new shows up.
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