Am I getting ripped off on my brake job?
 

My auto repair shop just called me and told me I need not only brake pads, but rotors as well.. But I was expecting the cost to be like 150-200.... The guy tells me its going to be $280 for this. Should I have brought it in to a quickie shop, like Speede, Midas, or Jiffy lube? Would that have been much cheaper? Can anyone tell me if $280 is a fair price, or am I totally getting ripped off? Help!

$280 is a bit expensive...I'd say no more then $150-175.

But i'd do it myself if I were you, its not that hard.

EDIT: call a few places around and ask what theyd charge for parts + labor

the rotors is the big expense

next time,,,don't wait too long after hearing that squeaking sound coming form your breaks.

The cost of parts will change depending on what kind of car you have.. if you drive an import, the rotors can be a pretty penny.. if you're driving a domestic vehicle, you're probably getting overcharged a bit.

How can you ask if its a good price without being specific about the type of car and type of parts being used?
If you have a rolls royce your getting a good deal.....

... a rotor is only 40$

Rotors start at about $19.99 each and go up. It all depends on what kind of car you have. Also, it depends if they went with the "cheapie" brand rotors, or the name brand.

I worked in auto for years and know these things...

Depends on the car type, but Id say anything over 200 is a bit much

so 60$ for parts, and its 2 hours labor by the book for 1 rotor, 4 pads. say they charge 80 an hour, that is 220

That's some expensive labor hours.

I'd say the labor is the largest part of the bill. I agree with BMI call a couple other places. I have a feeling they will be about the same. If they do a quality job it's worth it, brakes are a good thing to have done right.

Not really, depending on geographical area. I used to run a repair shop and turn wrenches for many years. Retail price on rotors starts at about $40 and goes up from there, depending on the vehicle. It's already been said that there are different quality grades of rotors as well. If you could post what make/model/year you're driving then I could give you a better idea.

Also, the grade and brand of brake pads makes a huge difference. Some shops sell cheap shit pads that last 10,000 miles for $19.95 on their cheapie "$79.95 brake jobs." Other shops like my old one use the good stuff (Wagner, Bendix or Raybestos brand) that lasts 40,000 miles, but those pads used to COST US over $40.00/set sometimes, and of course we had to mark them up from there to make money.

Unless the car's at a dealer, you shouldn't be paying more than about one hour of labor for a regular front brake job with pads and rotors.

Also, if this is rear disc there is often a lot more time involved in doing the brakes so they are more expensive.

So, while it depends on the grade of pads, type of car, etc., $280 is very possibly a fair price but not necessarily.

That's about right...Hourly labour goes about 70 to 90 bucks a hour here...actually that brake job is cheap

Also, you should ask what kind of brake pads they're using, if they're cheap pads, high quality, or lifetime warranty pads.

2000 Mazda Millenia! Its in import, doesnt that make $280 a fair price?

This post/thread is worthless without the year, make and model of car...


I owned an auto repair facility that specialized in undercar work for 12 yrs and brake prices (just like all auto part and labor prices) change depending on the vehicles year, make and model, engine size, frontwheel drive or rearwheel drive, what brand of parts are used, ABS system and if so.. 2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS, is the shop going to bleed your hydraulic system? (very important as routine maintenance and rarely done). I could go on for at least 20 more quesitons... There are many factors.


Best advice: Get your fingers doin some walkin in the yellow pages or find a place that a friend or someone reliable can point you to... Have info on car written down and get quotes on the phone... My bets are you will find some cheaper and you will find some more expensive.. but be a smart shopper and try not to sound car dumb.


Big B

For a Mazda, that's a fair price. You're doing fine...just make sure you're getting lifetime warranty pads.

Plus im in the Boston area, I have a feeling that would make it more expensive... Kinda like my tiny condo that costs $250k. The brake job is probably more expensive than most places, especially down south.

check what warranty goes with that and if they are credible service department.

Midas etc. are rip offs and will try and upsell you, never trusted them.

if you cant do it yourself, ask your friends locally who they go to and go in as a referral.

For boston it's not that bad trust me I know....But still call around a little that's always the best thing to do in these situations.

With that Mazda.. I would insist on factory pads...

All others will squeel like hell in less than 5000 miles...
they wont be worn out.. but they will make noise when
lightly applying brakes...

Beck Arnley also makes a very decent pad for Mazdas...


Also.. make sure your lug nuts are applied with a torque wrench at 85 ft lbs (NOT AN AIR GUN) This free floating rotor needs
even torque all the way around to stay true...

Big B

thanks everybody!