My C has 13700 miles on it, and the pads are low and need to be replaced. I spoke to a local shop, and they quoted me $175 to replace the fronts with ceramic pads. I called the dealer and they said they don't replace pads without refinishing the rotors, and quoted me $260 for the fronts. How much BS is the dealer giving me? I also am due for the 15k service soon, and the dealer quoted me $500 for that, which to me seems ridiculous, but I don't want to take a chance voiding my warranty if I don't do it. Any advice? Suggestions? Thanks guys.
My C has 13700 miles on it, and the pads are low and need to be replaced. I spoke to a local shop, and they quoted me $175 to replace the fronts with ceramic pads. I called the dealer and they said they don't replace pads without refinishing the rotors, and quoted me $260 for the fronts. How much BS is the dealer giving me?
In general, it is not necessary to turn (refinish) rotors when you change pads. I wouldn't do it unless you have noticeable brake judder when you apply the brakes. Even then, I would probably follow these bedding instructions to see if that cured the judder: Instructions for bedding in your brakes. If it didn't, I would simply buy and install new rotors.
We have Centric Posi-Quiet Ceramic pads for the 300C in stock for just $65. See: Ceramic D1058 pads. If you've got basic tools and some mechanical acumen, the front pad swap is not very difficult. It's a good excuse to buy more tools.
Most mechanics or machine shops will cut the rotors for you. Mine offered to do them for $18.00 each. I replaced my rotors and new pads in less the an hour last saturday. Its very simple to do. Do it yourself and save the $$$
I also am due for the 15k service soon, and the dealer quoted me $500 for that, which to me seems ridiculous...
Yo, if you think the price is outrageous for the 15k mile service you better sit down for the price on the 30k mile service which includes the 5.7 HEMI tune-up. Prices do vary from place to place but I was quoted $850 2 years ago.
Wow not to be rude but how do you wear out pads in 13K miles. Mine has 23K miles and the pads are a third worn at most.
I agree. I only replace mine because the rotors were bad and not covered under warranty with 15k on them. the pads are mint though. I saved them in case I didnt like the Ceramic pads I bought to go with the d&s rotors.
Last edited by rfgervasi : 01-17-2008 at 04:09 PM.
Wow not to be rude but how do you wear out pads in 13K miles. Mine has 23K miles and the pads are a third worn at most.
I have customers with identical cars (2001 BMW 740iL) who live in different parts of the country and have wildly different pad replacement rates. The one who lives and works in San Francisco goes through a set of pads every 10,000 miles and a set of rotors every 20,000 miles. The one in South Dakota just changed the pads on his car for the first time, just shy of 75,000 miles. The latter is a sales guy with a few hundred highway miles on his car every day. The former commutes in the city and, if you know San Francisco, is constantly dealing with steep hills.
Other factors include the age (or emotional maturity) of the driver, the driving style (engine braking vs brake braking), the transmission type (auto vs manual) and many other factors. No such thing as a "normal" mileage unless you hold all the variables constant.
Wow not to be rude but how do you wear out pads in 13K miles. Mine has 23K miles and the pads are a third worn at most.
I live and drive daily in new york city, constant stop and go traffic and emergency stops from highway speeds are frequent. Not to mention the 300c is a monstrous and heavy car, its not hard to believe that my particular car has worn through the front pads already at 14k miles. The driving conditions my car goes through daily are probably very different than those your car is subject to out in ohio. $500 for a 15k service is ridiculous considering the things that they require at that time seem completely unnecessary - changing the spark plugs at 15k? Anything to bang you out of a buck - I think I'm only going to the dealership for warranty work, and having all my services done by an outside shop that will do it for much less and just retain the receipts to avoid any future problems with the dealer if something should happen.
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