My 04 is due for brake jobs (both front/rear) so I called around a few places. Tell me what you think. I've been taking my car to a local lexus dealer (Hennesy Lexus of Atlanta for those who live in ATL) and they've been doing a fine job but I figured with this type of service, I may shop around.

Two different Toyota dealers quoted me at $310 and $430. Latter one is a much bigger dealer. Perhaps higher tag = higher overhead?

Two different Lexus dealers quoted me at $620 to $630.

I'm guessing they all be using same Toyota OEM brake pads. Obviously Lexus dealer is out of the question. How is $310 for both front/rear? Pretty good? Can i do better?

Let me know. Thanks.

 

Were the quotes apples to apples or apples to oranges? e.g. pads only or pads and rotors?

 

You can do it yourself in the driveway or garage with minimal tools. Take both wheels off, do one side and reinstall so it looks like the other side and then do the other side. Really very easy. One hour for a good mechanic, maybe only two for a beginner.
new Pads and Rotors on Ebay for $314 for all 4 wheels
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LEXUS...Q5fAccessories

I tried these and I am very happy. No noise or squeeks and very, very little dust.

If you are still not sure just take lots of digital photos as you go.

 

All the quotes was
new pads
resurface rotors.

 

Best price I've seen in a while for turning all four the rotors and new pads. But as others have mentioned if you replaced the rotors and pads yourself you'd save the labor costs. The question is: what's your time and peace of mind worth?

 

if the pads and rotors, are 314 on ebay, and toyota will do the same job for $310, then it seems like a great deal.

 

You know all that dust you have to get off your wheels when you wash the car?

Figure that you and your driveway are going to be covered with it. It takes about 2 weeks to get it out from under your fingernails. I used to do my own, but $150 in just labor is well worth it to me. Then when you spill a little brake fluid on your paint... you get the picture...

I'd take it to the Yota dealer for $310

 

Until the dealer calls you and tells you "I'm sorry but your rotors are too warped to turn and salvage so we installed 4 new ones for only $360 more."

The set on Ebay are drilled and slotted to look great through your wheels and come with Top quality Ceramic pads that don't squeal and have very, very little brake dust.

I have 8,000 miles on my set and I am very happy. No more washing the wheels between car washes.

Pick up some of those latex medical gloves for around 10 cents a pair and wear them. Throw a pair away every so often and put on a new pair. SO thin you can pick up a dime and your hands don't ever get dirty.

 

Not sure your past experience with car dealers but ones I've been to ALWAYS ask the customer before they proceed with any additional service. No way they would ever do the work before an actual approval.

You obviously are good with doing your own maintenance. I for one can't say the same. Also note, $310 did NOT include new rotors. Just surfacing them. My car has 63,xxx miles and I'm the second owner. As far as I can tell, I still have the original rotors. For past 25,xxx miles I've owned, I haven't done anything with the rotors so this may be the first time I'm getting it resurfaced. If that's the case, I feel I still have some life left on these current rotors that ultimately pads are the only thing that needs to be replaced.

 

I also had both sets of pads done for about $300 and some change last year on my 02 with 29k miles on it. Also had them resurface rotors and flush/fill/bleed brakes for some additional $$. Wasn't bad. Brakes were like new after the car returned. I echo PHX's sentiments on the mess.