Just got the service light for the front brake (pads and maybe rotors we'll see). I'm out of maintenance program and this would be my first service to pay...

I saw at WMW I can buy the EBC red stuff pads and WMW rotors (just front) for ~ $300. How does that compare to actual charges dealers have seen?

Ideally MA or east coast area, thanks!

 

I've read about 650 per axle at the dealer... front brakes are easy and require zero special tools. Just do them yourself.

 

or more - a lot more in cases - all it takes is a phone call to dealer to ask

if you have the means to DIY you will save a bunch and at least as far as the pads go you'll probably end up with a much better pad as well (EBC red = virtually zero dust)

of course it is obvious but your parts cost from WAY IS ONLY parts, you do the labor. But as mentioned the fronts are VERY easy and once you do one side the first time, you'll do the other side in about 1/3 that time ... and get faster every time after.

I can do a wheel in about 30 minutes now - working really really slow and that's from jack UP to jack down . .

So what?

Figure MINI maintenance at $200 and hour, the pro should do your front brakes in well under an hour, but call it one = $200 labor. Parts = $300. You pay $650 ....

A dealer's general manager once told me "I don't make anything selling cars, I make all my money in the service department."

Reminds me of when I worked in a movie theater and learned the manager was not paid squat to run things ... but got to keep everything the concession stand made profit wise. Kinda explains $10 for 15 cents worth of popcorn kernels . . . $5 for 16 oz soda

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P.S. there is NOTHING special about MINI brakes. ANY decent mechanic should have NO problem with them ... call any mechanic you trust and ask for a price if you bring in your own parts . . . OR find a neighbor or fellow MINI-ite. Bring your parts to my house and I'll put 'em on if you buy the beer after.

 

From two independent shops, I was quoted a little more than $1,000 for front/rear pads and rotor replacement. About 700 was parts and 300 was labor, so I would estimate $500 to $600 for just the fronts. So instead I ordered all the parts myself and did the brakes with a friend for a little over $300.

 

ok! convinced!

Usually I do try to do my own things, w some friends' help. Even have the Bentley manual. For a minute there the red light/sensor based stuff kinda gives you the "omg only the dealer can do this" feeling... time to go buy pads n rotors now...

 

That's pretty steep, especially for the parts. For good quality aftermarket replacement parts, you should plan on spending about $400 for front and rear brake pads and rotors. Sensors should be no more than $25, and we charge about $200 labor to do the work.

 

I was seriously confused about why the parts were so expensive...I'm not sure but I think one of the shops quoted $50 each for the front and back sensors, and might have even wanted to get TWO of each! :0

I went with Centric premium rotors and EBC greenstuffs at all 4 corners and they feel just like OEM so far so I'm very happy

 

It's also a good time to clean all the break dust off the insides of your wheels.

 

I ended up picking up EBC Red Stuff, WMW flat rotors, sensors, all from WMW. I just wanted oem-ish, and would accept a little better -- I like the red color too

 

those aren't shops, they are stealership wannabes.

most shops make some coin selling parts for a little more than they actually pay (they're not overcharging you, they just get a discount against "list" prices), so for the three I use, they have a tiered labor rate, basically X/hr if they sell you the parts, and 1.25X/hr if you supply parts.

On brakes, the three places I would trust charge $100/axle if they sell you the parts, and $125/axle if you bring your own.

Keep looking for a good shop to do your maintenance, you apparently haven't found one yet.

 

I've been meaning to start frequenting Greasy's garage... just a bit further out than I'd like, but I do need a place to replace the dealer now that maintenance is gone

 

I'd like to have a shop like yours! I've been told at the place I went to for brake fluid flush that I cannot supply parts, most likely because they want the profit from using their own. I will stay on the hunt for a good shop, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to do most of the maintenance myself!

 

An hour a corner is typical.... + parts.

Cars are not rated for work "by axle"...usually.