Jmags

iTrader: (1)

I know how this is going to go.

I put it in the shop for an oil change today, calls me up says it needs new brakes, pads and rotors.

Going to call me in the morning with an estimate for OEM parts that is probably WAY high.

What would you do? I'm thinking he's gonna want at least 1k for this.

I can replace this stuff on my own on every other car I've owned.

Is there a good aftermarket brand that would be cheaper and better than OEM crap?

Slotted/ drilled, whatever, just hate paying super high prices for crappy OEM stuff that ends up just as bad as the other place.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

This.

It's like $65 for a set of the low-dust front pads and that's likely all you need.

Ask for the measurements he took of the pads and rotors to claim they need replacing and you'll likely find the rotors are fine and the pads aren't even done yet.

nonopr01

He already said he need everything in his original post.
There is a kit that upgrades your breas to the IS 350 size for $599. That can be an option.

Jmags

iTrader: (1)

That's what I figured, then again this is a guy who my best friend works for. I called up my friend and he said that the boss man says they dont replace just pads. Have to do rotors if they do pads.

Well........if he comes back at me with a price for ALL FOUR ROTORS + Pads, I'm going to have to decline.

I feel the same as you - rotors, unless they are warped seem to hardly ever need replacing.

Jmags

iTrader: (1)

Well I am going on the word of a mechanic... havent seen it myself.

I'd love to upgrade to the 350 size. I have a feeling 599 will be less than what I'm told tomorrow.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

Exactly... any shop that claims they must replace rotors anytime they do pads is a shop trying to rip you off.

They do wear out eventually but unless you don't bed correctly to start with and are very hard on brakes you won't need to replace them nearly as often as pads.

Don't let a shop talk you into any BS resurfacing either, unless there's something wrong that's just wasting good rotor metal.

ximd

iTrader: (6)

I completely agree with you. Some mechanics will always take advantage of customers like this.

Jmags

iTrader: (1)

Well total price is 620 for all parts and services..

I couldn't go ahead with it 100% because I don't have the car in my name yet. Going to pick it up later today and will look at it when I get it home.

620 isn't going to break the bank by any means.. it's just that if I'm going to spend this much on brakes I'd like to do something better than stock.

JMcDonald

iTrader: (2)

You could spend over 3k and get a BBK

Madsci625

This. They should be able to give you a thickness and runout and the Lexus specifications for the acceptable ranges.

If I were you, I would use one of the parts suppliers on CL to get a discount on brakes and do it yourself if you have the time, tools, and garage. If you can upgrade to the 350 brakes easily, that sounds like a good/fairly cheap way to upgrade your brakes without dropping thousands on an aftermarket kit.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

Well, unless you're tracking the car, bigger brakes aren't really any better than stock... just bigger and more expensive.

JMcDonald

iTrader: (2)

^^^ True, only reason I got a BBK was to fill out the 20's and look good at the same time. Other than that, i don't really drive it much.

CrtifiedMD

Back track a bit to before you brought it in for the oil change. Did your steering wheel shake/vibrate under braking or anything like that? Were the brakes noisy before you brought her in?

Get a feel for the brakes before you go replacing anything & get in there to take a look yourself before buying parts.

I would put money that the tech noticed the pads may be low and is telling you that you need all new brakes - that's just what they like to do to upsell since they don't make anything in profit for simple oil changes.

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

There are aftermarket Brake pad companies that sell "better" pads. Go with one of these and call it a day!

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

"better" how exactly?