Does this seem cheap for brakes and rotors?

(2012-02-02 15:20:20)

1. Xeissh Says: I know nothing about cars except that by knowing nothing, I'm prone to being ripped off. Either by paying too much or paying for sub-par work.

I was told that I needed new rear brake pads and rotors (due to rust they said). Now I'm not actually sure if this is true since the have told me in the past that I needed new tires and I knew I didn't since they were only 10K miles old. But assuming I do need new brakes and rotors, I went ahead and called a few places for estimates. They seem to be all over the map. The cheapest estimate I got was for 247.00 including labor and parts (maybe tax, I don't recall). I'm wondering if I should be weary of this price. Most of the others in that specific town were around 350.00.

I'm sure there were things I should have been asking, likes brands and whatnot. But I don't know what any of it means or what to even ask. This is on an Integra.

Also, the specs they gave me when they said I needed new pads were 15% and 20%, left and right respectively.

Thanks.

2. Kenny Says: When was the last time the rear brake was changed. They usually last about 70,000 miles. Rust...don't like that excuse. Unless you drive in the winter with a lot of salt on the road, rust should not be an issue. If the rears are rusty the fronts should be too.

Was there a reason why you went to the shop in the first place? I doubt you need a replacement. Next time like an oil change ask them if they can check the brakes.

On the pricing, ask them for an estimate for O-E-M/factory equivalent replacement parts. Or ask for a quote of prices for the parts and price for the labor.

3. Speedyy Says: that must be for the cheap parts like econo parts then there is good parts like oem parts
and also high end parts witch cost more but last longer the econo and sounds like 2 month left or more ,my price for those was 140.00 for pads all round 320.00 for the rotors all round
that's the high end stuff witch dose not include the 220.00 labour
not sure what the econo parts would be

4. Please punctuate properly, folks Says: I think if you aren't keeping a new cars' warranty up, having it serviced by the main-dealer, then you should be doing virtually everything you need to - I do! It's really not that hard, and if you get a good Haynes workshop manual or similar, you will suprise yourself with what you can do, and you know YOU aren't cutting-corners, in a hurry to get the car out of the shop.

Try eBay for the brake parts you need. It's very common for the relatively understressed rear-brakes to end up seizing, since the vast bulk of work is done by the fronts. Friends of mine who work in garages report this all the time - come time for the MOT inspection (roadworthyness test in the UK) the rear-brakes are tested and found to be doing nuuuuuuuuthing. The answer is a re-furb, or new discs, pads and even calipers. The solution? Twice a week, with no cars around, leave your braking LATE, and hit the pedal hard! Please, get into that habit, when your car is sorted.

5. J J Says: Gene is right you need to find a place where you get told the difference between cheap brake pads and OEM pads, there like air plane tickets the more you pay the further you go. From what you have said so far you don't trust these people and from them telling you need pads because of rust I'm telling you that ALL rotors rust but if you drive even two day a week they won't rust where the pads hit.
Ask around and find a shop or dealer you like and go to the same service writer each time, they will learn what you need and they will keep you from buying to much.

6. Gene Says: Let me tell you something. After being in the independant auto repair business for 30 years, there is one thing better than price, and that's trust. You need to walk in and out of a shop with trust. If you don't trust the place, follow your instincts. If it sounds odd, walk.

Shops DO make money selling repairs--doctors make money selling repairs too. So, there are lots of things that could be done, just in case. But if you let a shop know you just want to get back on the road and be safe and reliable, they should back off, maybe after one more try. If they try to scare you, big red flags.

Find a place you trust. Go back there every time. Don't price shop... TRUST shop. We built our reputation on trust, not price, and it worked for 30 years.

Good luck.