So a few weeks ago the warning lights for my brake pads came on. I finally got around to taking it into the shop yesterday. Today they called me and said that it would be 600 dollars for rotors and pads! I was a bit surprised at this because my sister's SUV came to around only 300 dollars at the same garage. Am I being taken for a fool by this mechanic or does 600 dollars seem reasonable?

 

sounds about right for everything depending on his shop rate

check out how much the parts would be on purems.com
IIRC parts would be about $350-400

 

hey thanks for the help! thats a really good website. i should also add he needs to replace the cv boot and he says that will be another 300 dollars bringing my final total to 900 =(

 

zwhid, that's about right. I purchased just REAR rotors and pads from the dealership and their prices were - $70/rotor (x2 = $140); $55 for a set of rear pads (L & R). Front pads & rotors are even more expensive than the rear. So right there is probably your $300+ just for parts. THen consider his hourly rate. Good luck man! Consider changing them yourself?

 

Is the price quoted for all four? If so - reasonable. If one axle only - too much.

Bob

 

i paid around 130 for pads all 4 wheels, and another 100 for rear rotors only , plus another 30-40 for tools that i still have(stands, front and rear caliper tools, grease, dot4), and i did it myself, easy job. if i had different wheels i probably paint the calipers red, but that`s a different story.
another thing if your pads are gone , u must replace them if not, u end up like me , the pads destroy the rotors in the rear because i delay everytime plus the rear pads doesn`t have sensor on my a6 model

 

Take the $600 and use it as a down payment on Brembos.

 

Last July I replaced frt/rear pads with Centrix, turned the front rotors, and replaced the rear rotors. Total was $545 at my indie shop. Pads were $143 and rear rotors $50/each. Your costs seem in line.

 

I get good rotors for about $30 each and rebuilt loaded calipers for around $125 each. Pads for each end run $35 -40. So it depends upon what has to be replaced.

Pads only - $80
Pads front, 4 rotors, two rear calipers - $415

You do the math for your situation.

As for the boot - I always do a rebuilt half shaft - about $125 - so I get new inner and outer boots -

 

I just did the front pads myself for $50. You need a 7mm hex that you can buy at Sears for $5. If you know what you're doing it takes about 30min.