Vehicle needs new Brakes - Suggestions?

[InglewoodFan]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Sorry for the bump. I bought a car off private sale this summer and took it today to the original dealer for the first time I've had to service it myself. Mercedes wants $900 to replace the brakes on my 2008 ML320!!!

Is this a reasonable rate? I'm going to call and see why this is so high, if it's just pads or entire rotors, etc. that are going to be changed.

If not, where should I go for brakes to be replaced?

As a data point, 07 Audi S4 front brakes (pads & rotors) was ~$750 at the dealership. So $900 seems high but ballpark for dealership price.

I've done a lot of my own mechanical work in the past, mostly on domestic pickups. Never did my own brakes due to lack of confidence in my abilities. Figured if I screwed it up the consequences could be bad.

[GoinAllTheWay]

I'd also recommend Brake Check. They seemed pretty solid.

Only reason I'd recommend letting the pro's do it (it is actually quite easy) is they will also usually turn your rotors which is something most if not everyone can't do at home.

[MillerTime GFG]

Originally Posted by Barnes

Brakes are just about the easiest car repair possible. I don't know how you could install them incorrectly.

Betcha Canadian Tire could find a way...

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Sorry for the bump. I bought a car off private sale this summer and took it today to the original dealer for the first time I've had to service it myself. Mercedes wants $900 to replace the brakes on my 2008 ML320!!!

Is this a reasonable rate? I'm going to call and see why this is so high, if it's just pads or entire rotors, etc. that are going to be changed.

If not, where should I go for brakes to be replaced?

German dealers will quote rotors every single time. Often it's not necessary.

They will also bend you over for parts.

I did a valve cover gasket on my wife's BMW last weekend, and didn't have time to order parts online and wait for shipping.

I paid $227 for 15 nuts. 4 of them that had a stud on the end of the nut were $25 each.

If you have time, buy your own parts, take it somewhere reputable to have them put in.

[Hack&Lube]

yeah, I'm buying parts online/wholesale and going to a private mechanic the next time I need to replace the rear brakes...I don't have time right now since I need the car to drive to Edmonton on Friday

I asked for the parts cost for my own installation and it was over $700 already for rotors, pads, clips, bolds, sensors, other kibble...

Any recommendations for private mechanics for german cars?

[ken0042]

I would make sure your mechanic is OK with doing the labour on parts you supply. While it may be cheaper, if there is any issue with the part you provided you can immediately kiss any savings good bye. It can be anything from you being given the wrong part, or there's a defect, or a warranty issue.

Let's say they get your car apart and find the part you gave them is wrong. Now the mechanic is either out the time your car in on the hoist taking up a service bay, or he makes you pay extra for it.

Part of the money they change to mark up their parts goes towards self-insuring against that sort of thing.

Don't get me wrong, I've done it before myself. However that was with a mechanic that I had been dealing with for decades.

[Bill Bumface]

^I've done it with several independents in Calgary and never had a problem. Worst case, you have a wrong part, you pay their price for the one they need (still less than the dealer) and you return your part and pay shipping.

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

I'd also recommend Brake Check. They seemed pretty solid.

Only reason I'd recommend letting the pro's do it (it is actually quite easy) is they will also usually turn your rotors which is something most if not everyone can't do at home.

Quite often, it is cheaper to replace the rotors than to have them machined...

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Cuz

Quite often, it is cheaper to replace the rotors than to have them machined...

He said Mercedes, so remember the invisible German car part tax

OEM rotors for my last car were $250, ordering them online and getting a low price.

Turning them is what, $20 each?