rcube350

My 2015 GS350 F-sport RWD (Craftline) is due for front rotor and pad replacement.

• What the dealer says? The dealer quoted $1600 for the job which I feel is a tad on a higher side considering I can get hold of OE & genuine rotors and pads from eBay from another Lexus online parts shop for around $800 (including shipping).
• What an independent mechanic says? I also found an independent mechanic who quoted around $1000 (parts and labor included) but this is what he cautioned. He is one of the oldest shops in my town (operating since the late '70s)" BE WARNED THESE F SPORT MULTI PISTON CALIPERS ARE FAMOUS FOR THE PISTONS SEIZING UP SHORTLY AFTER PAD REPLACEMENT AND NOT FULLY RELEASING THE NEW BRAKE PADS FULLY CAUSING OVERHEATING AFTER THE HAVE BEEN COMPRESSED TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW THICKER BRAKE PADS REPLACEMENT. YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THEM TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO YOUR NOW ROTORS AND PADS AND PAYING LABOR AGAIN TO RE DO SIMILAR LABOR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE ESTIMATE INCLUDING THE CALIPERS". He then gave me a quote including caliper replacement for around $1800.
• What my mind says? I am thinking that a car that now values at around $23000 (or even less), how much will it make sense to keep investing $1800 every two years. I do not take the car to the track, I rarely go above the speed limits on the interstate.

I am based out of Jacksonville FL and looking for trust worthy mechanics who can get an alternative quote with.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

JDR76

Welcome!

In years on this forum, I can't recall ever seeing anyone on here with seized up calipers. I really wouldn't worry about that.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Your Independent guy does Not know what he talking about, and may have caused that damage himself before because of it. I never would let someone work on my car that warns me of something meaning now they are ducking responsibility with "I told you". If it happens. lol!

Also check the CL IS Forum. They work on their own cars more and have good referrals down there in Fl.

rcube350

Thank you! could you please share the CL IS Forum link? I am new here and couldn't locate it.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Scroll down to the IS o2nd r 3rd Gen, and/or any other Model Forum.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lexus-model-forums-1/

909

You can always buy the part and replace it yourself.

But if you need help, then ask a " trusted " friend.

If you're a stranger at a shop you're paying full price no matter where you go.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

Replace calipers with a brake job, that independent shop is lying to you, don't let them touch your car.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

The new brake job way including caliper. I say run!!!

ItzFilyO

Might as well replace the transmission at every brake job.

909

Need new brakes? Just replace the car bro.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Shop Guy even disclosed - "BE WARNED THESE F SPORT MULTI PISTON CALIPERS". = I have F'd up many of these because I don't know how to get the pads out correctly, and install new pads without messing them up. So I'm warning you, I'll damaged the calipers if I do your Lexus brakes unless......

I would have said ok, thank you so much for the warning, and Ran fast away!

ItzFilyO

The FSport pads are actually one of the easiest to swap. It takes more time to jack up the car and remove the wheels than changing the brake pads.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

It's the same for the non f-sport, pads are the same, calipers are basically the same. Easiest pad change on any car I ever owned.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Why do you think they used the same pad and size with 2 different Rotor sizes one being 1" bigger? Strange?

ItzFilyO

They're not the same pads.