Front brake job $895 @ Dealer
04-01-12, 07:45 PM
#17
Couple things here-
First of all, the owners manual says to change brake fluid every 30,000 miles. So at over 60k you've already missed it twice if you've never done it.
As others have noted brake fluid absorbs water over time, which drastically lowers its boiling point... (which causes very bad things in an emergency stop) even if you're not driving it it does this- which is why every 2 years regardless of miles is the ideal recommendation. (mind you, most folks don't bother, but they really should. It's pretty small insurance to be know you won't be boiling off your brake fluid in a panic stop because you haven't changed it in 5 years)
So in this case, the dealers telling you the truth... though he's charging too much to do it obviously. I'd expect $100-125 tops for this at a dealership, $70-90 at a local shop.
As to the brake job- you need to know what's actually wrong with the car.
If the brakes are making noise it could be as simple as the front pads reached the wear indicators and they're just trying to upsell you on replacing all 4 pads and all 4 rotors. That's $50-100 in parts to fix, and maybe an hour labor for a good shop, plus the brake fluid change that you're way past due for.
Or it could be you're super hard on your brakes and you've ignored the brake noise of the pads long enough you need 4 new pads and 4 new rotors. (or worse).
For which $895, with OEM parts, isn't that nuts for that. The rotors are -$600 list.... even the sewell price is still $450... and pads are about another $90 at Sewell pricing (125 list)... so at list it's $725 in parts... $170 labor isn't nuts for 4 rotors and pads.
That said, you can get centric premium rotors a decent bit less than OEM (not much reason to no go OEM with the pads though)... and a local place'll charge less for labor too, assuming they're ok bringing your own parts (not all are).
So anyway, what did they say the actual problems were, specifically?
As in, what did they measure the front and rear pads are down to?
What specifically is wrong with the rotors if they think those need replacing? What did they measure for them?
First of all, the owners manual says to change brake fluid every 30,000 miles. So at over 60k you've already missed it twice if you've never done it.
As others have noted brake fluid absorbs water over time, which drastically lowers its boiling point... (which causes very bad things in an emergency stop) even if you're not driving it it does this- which is why every 2 years regardless of miles is the ideal recommendation. (mind you, most folks don't bother, but they really should. It's pretty small insurance to be know you won't be boiling off your brake fluid in a panic stop because you haven't changed it in 5 years)
So in this case, the dealers telling you the truth... though he's charging too much to do it obviously. I'd expect $100-125 tops for this at a dealership, $70-90 at a local shop.
As to the brake job- you need to know what's actually wrong with the car.
If the brakes are making noise it could be as simple as the front pads reached the wear indicators and they're just trying to upsell you on replacing all 4 pads and all 4 rotors. That's $50-100 in parts to fix, and maybe an hour labor for a good shop, plus the brake fluid change that you're way past due for.
Or it could be you're super hard on your brakes and you've ignored the brake noise of the pads long enough you need 4 new pads and 4 new rotors. (or worse).
For which $895, with OEM parts, isn't that nuts for that. The rotors are -$600 list.... even the sewell price is still $450... and pads are about another $90 at Sewell pricing (125 list)... so at list it's $725 in parts... $170 labor isn't nuts for 4 rotors and pads.
That said, you can get centric premium rotors a decent bit less than OEM (not much reason to no go OEM with the pads though)... and a local place'll charge less for labor too, assuming they're ok bringing your own parts (not all are).
So anyway, what did they say the actual problems were, specifically?
As in, what did they measure the front and rear pads are down to?
What specifically is wrong with the rotors if they think those need replacing? What did they measure for them?
04-01-12, 07:54 PM
#18
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The quote was for front pads and rotors only. The rear pads and rotors were replaced last year and are in good shape.
The advisor said the rotors are below minimum spec but I had the rotors replace last time the fronts were done about 2 years ago.
I am going to buy the rotors and pads online @ Sewell and have it done here locally.
The advisor said the rotors are below minimum spec but I had the rotors replace last time the fronts were done about 2 years ago.
I am going to buy the rotors and pads online @ Sewell and have it done here locally.
04-01-12, 09:52 PM
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I changed my brakes in my driveway for 100 bucks all the way around. The rotors were fine. Used akebono pads. If I were you take that guy up on his offer and pay him a little extra for saving you big time. Times are rough save the money for the high gas prices that are raising every day
04-01-12, 10:19 PM
#24
My dad was quoted $800 for front and rear brake job from our local lexus dealership. So if it was for front and rears I would say it's not a bad price. But just for the fronts is crazy. Ordered all the part from swell and did them my self. I would go this route if you have basic tools. It's a pretty easy job.
04-01-12, 10:36 PM
#25
I imagine that isn't too bad for an is350
Labour is at $120 an hour and it's usually a 1.2 hour quoted job
Brake fluid should be flushed most people don't change them over te lifetime of the car I know most cars I buy it's the first thing I do it's cheap and usually results in a drastic feel in the pedal
Labour is at $120 an hour and it's usually a 1.2 hour quoted job
Brake fluid should be flushed most people don't change them over te lifetime of the car I know most cars I buy it's the first thing I do it's cheap and usually results in a drastic feel in the pedal
04-01-12, 10:40 PM
#26
For $850 you can do all 4 corners and have money left over:
Set of 4 Centric Premium Rotors = ~$200
OEM brakes pads for all 4 corners off Sewell = ~$150
So parts should be about $350. Labor shouldn't be more than $200 for all 4 corners. So you can get all 4 rotors and pads changed for about $550. That's $300 less! Since you just need the fronts, you can get 2 Centric Premium Rotors for ~$120. Front (low dust) brake pads will be about $90 from Sewell. If you get it done at a brake shop, they usually charge about $100 for labor. So you can get front rotors + pads installed for about $300!
Brake flush every 30k, So if you did it at 60k don't have it done.
Set of 4 Centric Premium Rotors = ~$200
OEM brakes pads for all 4 corners off Sewell = ~$150
So parts should be about $350. Labor shouldn't be more than $200 for all 4 corners. So you can get all 4 rotors and pads changed for about $550. That's $300 less! Since you just need the fronts, you can get 2 Centric Premium Rotors for ~$120. Front (low dust) brake pads will be about $90 from Sewell. If you get it done at a brake shop, they usually charge about $100 for labor. So you can get front rotors + pads installed for about $300!
Brake flush every 30k, So if you did it at 60k don't have it done.
