Front brake pads at 58k miles: $756!

[kavlono]

A light came on my ’07 Boxster saying that the brake pad detector was activated and I neeed to get my brakes checked. So I took it to the dealer today who looked at it and said I needed two front brake pads. Two hours later I got the car back with new brake pads in front and a bill for $756. I would estimate that this is no less than 8 times more expensive than comparable repairs in a normal American car. But then again it is not.

[Bladecutter]

Originally Posted by kavlono

A light came on my ’07 Boxster saying that the brake pad detector was activated and I neeed to get my brakes checked. So I took it to the dealer today who looked at it and said I needed two front brake pads. Two hours later I got the car back with new brake pads in front and a bill for $756. I would estimate that this is no less than 8 times more expensive than comparable repairs in a normal American car. But then again it is not.

No, that is just your dealer overcharging you because you allowed them to do so.
I don't think it cost me half of that to buy all 4 rotors, brake pads, and new stainless steel brake lines for the car.

It takes only 1 hour of labor to change the front brake pads on this car.
The pads themselves cost around, if not under, $100 per axle.
The brake wear sensor is typically a $20 part.

You should have asked for an estimate before authorizing them to do the work.
I would protest if I were you, and get them to discount that obscene price.

BC.

[ekam]

Well you did went to the dealer... they have nice lattes there and I'm sure the receptionist, in all likeliness, is very cute.

Suncoast
http://www.****************************************************.com/

Sunset
http://www.****************************************************.com/parts/

Pelican Parts
www.pelicanparts.com

Guide on how to change pads:
http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster/projects/brakes/change_pads/

[ChrisZang]

Dude,

i really don't want to add insult to injury but when you buy a Porsche you have basically these options:

a) If you always want to go to the dealer for everything, better be prepared (and financially able) to pay big buck$ every time you even drive there and honk the horn
b) Find a good independent shop (ideally one who doesn't mind if you source your own spare parts) and see your bills shrink significantly. Fortunately our car is as exotic as a Civic in CA, so there are MANY good independent shops around.
c) If you know how to handle a tool then go over all the DIY pages and maybe show up at a DIY day or make friends with other owner at an autocross and they can show you how to do basic things like changing the brakes

Now about the $750 brake job. Beats me.
If you go with original Porsche spare parts, then the pads should be maybe around $250, the replacement sensors $40, so we are looking at maybe $300 in parts. That would leave us with $450 for labor. At a rate of $150 / hour that would be 3 (!!!) hours. Man, I can do the job in 30 minutes in my own garage and I am not a mechanic (I am a computer guy).

That's not right, they seriously ripped you off dude.

[Cloudsurfer]

$750 would be high, but not out of the question for a dealer front brake job INCLUDING rotors, but for just pads, you got SERIOUSLY screwed. I'd go back and talk to the service manager and demand a partial refund. There's at least $500 in labor there, for what I can do in 30 min.

[kavlono]

It is more than just pads. Here is the breakdown:

Brake linings $160
2 cable wear indicators 80
2 mounting kits 135
4 damping panels 54
labor 2 hrs @140 280

Considering I went 56k miles on these pads the cost does not seem that bad to me.

[Lil bastard]

OK... I think a lot of people are ********************ting down your neck!

Lots of people have neither the time, skill, tools or inclination to do the work themselves, regardless of any savings involved. Plus, you have a warranty as well as a second party liability if an error occurs - remember we are talking about BRAKES here.

My Bro-in-Law is a Surgeon, he MUST have the work performed by someone else lest he risk an injury to his hands... and his livelyhood!

If you're happy, and have the funds... MORE POWER TO YOU!

Admittedly, you can do this procedure on your own for much less... if you have the tools, time and most importantly, the knowledge.

But, especially for the uninitiated, eliminating the anxiety factor alone may well make it worth the expense.

No matter what anyone else says... it's Your car and Your money!

Cheers!

[tonycarreon]

i got a quote of $1k for rear pads + rotors from a local dealership...

[eightsandaces]

My richest friend's mom bought a guards red Cayman, (tiptronic). She lives in PA, I saw her last week, they charged her $200.00 for an oil change at an INDEPENDANT shop. She told me the mechanic said the oil filters were tricky on these cars, I almost spit my sandwich out and choked laughing.

PS She wants to get rid of it if anyone is interested in a low mile tip Cayman.

I like the sign in my buddy's independent shop:

We cheat the other guy and pass the savings on to you!

[jcb986]

Take the prices for the parts, cut in half, remove labor cost and that is what you could have done it for. Yep, about $215.

[Perfectlap]

We all learn that its cheaper to go to an independent Porsche specialist the hard way when first venturing into the brand, particularly if this is your first sports car.
An easy mistake to make because Porsches are uncommon cars and most corner mechanics will not touch (nor do they know how) your Boxster.

Granted, today its much much easier because we have the internets and everyone has an email address.

But you're not out of the woods yet if you car has close to 60K miles. You'll be entering the 'high mileage' side of Porsche ownership soon. Take this $400-$500 overpayment as an early warning to locate an Indy that is recommended by other Porsche owners. Then you can "average in" the cost of your luxury brake job with other fixes vs. sticking with the stealership. I just did major maintenace (clutch, flywheel, IMS upgrade, axle boots, 02 sensors, brake and coolant flush plus a new starter and alternator that both failed) and it ran about $6K through an Indy, the dealer would have charged about $13K--but he gives you free sandwiches, a shoe shine, dounuts, all the Diet cokes you can down and they wash your car! Most of that was from the clutch which required other fixes be made if you're going to go through the trouble of dropping the trans. Bottom line, put a away a couple of hundred every month money market account for major maintenace.

[kavlono]

to put everything in perspective, I paid over $50k for two weeks in rehab last year. So anything that keeps me from going back to Happytown is worth it. and this car helps me.

[ARModen]

2 mounting kits 135
4 damping panels 54

I don't even know what these are... I'm pretty sure it should have been just 4 shoes total, and associated wear indicators. I think the indicators are just on the outer pad, but I'd have to pull the wheel to check.

While LB is correct in saying your brakes are a vital part of your car, I would highly recommend you change them yourself. The more you work on your car the better you'll understand how it works, which makes you a better driver.

Disc brakes, especially on a Porsche are very easy to change once you see how they work. That's why people get worked up about dealer prices. I think it'd take <15 minutes per wheel to change a set, and all you need is the lug wrench, jack, and a flat head screw driver. Porsche has always been closely tied to it's race teams, so most items on the car that are meant to be changed regularly are designed for ease of maintenance. And there is a wealth of parts and knowledge available online.

Don't be scared of the cars price tag. Many jobs that the dealership will charge you an arm and a leg to do can be done at home and are very satisfying. All 4 brakes should take under 2 hours and cost ~$200. You just effectively made $650/hr for 2 hours. That's definitely worth a beer! And you'll have a good story to share at the next PCA meeting.

Two tips, racing brakes squeal a lot when they're cold, and make sure you pump your brakes a few times after you're done to get them reseated!

[ChrisZang]

Originally Posted by kavlono

to put everything in perspective, I paid over $50k for two weeks in rehab last year. So anything that keeps me from going back to Happytown is worth it. and this car helps me.

good luck with that

[jcb986]

to put everything in perspective, I paid over $50k for two weeks in rehab last year. So anything that keeps me from going back to Happytown is worth it. and this car helps me.


So you live in Washington, DC...............

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by kavlono

to put everything in perspective, I paid over $50k for two weeks in rehab last year. So anything that keeps me from going back to Happytown is worth it. and this car helps me.

Well don't start racing your Boxster because that will make a poor man out of any man with means.

p.s.
Try mountain biking. I just picked up a Motobecane from www.Bikesdirect.com for $1K. 15 years ago that same bike would have probably cost closer to $3K. Amazing value for a grand. It's a 29er which is a mountain bike with really big wheels so you just roll right over **************** and it really carries speed. I'm planning to buy a 200 Lumens Milion headlight ($90) and doing some good night time rides instead of just watching TV.

[23109VC]

Originally Posted by jcb986

to put everything in perspective, I paid over $50k for two weeks in rehab last year. So anything that keeps me from going back to Happytown is worth it. and this car helps me.

wow. that's a lot of $$ to spend for two weeks.

Was it on an exotic island full of young hot naked women that you could screw whenever you wanted??? At 25k / week it should have been.....

on a serious note, congrats on getting through rehab and my hope is that you don't need to go back. in my line of work, I see the people who don't make it to rehab and wind up spiralling into a life of pure self destruction... and yes a Boxster is excellent for one's mental well being..although if you can afford $50k for two weeks - you might be able to afford something much cooler than a Boxster....

Good luck!

[coreseller]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

wow. that's a lot of $$ to spend for two weeks.

Was it on an exotic island full of young hot naked women that you could screw whenever you wanted??? At 25k / week it should have been.....

I got a kick out of that. Don't sweat the brake job bill, you'll be more prepared for the next repair I'm guessing. BTW....I just did a complete brake job F & R and fluid flush, if you buy all the parts and sensors required your parts costs are going to ad up to a helluvalot more than what some of the above figures suggest.

[Brucelee]

I had a great alignment and brake guy back in the day. The overall cost was usually about half that of the local Porsche. Personally, I am not capable of brake work but did save some dough by having this resource.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by ARModen

All 4 brakes should take under 2 hours and cost ~$200. You just effectively made $650/hr for 2 hours. That's definitely worth a beer!

We went from saving $650 to making $650, that's $1300 difference we're talking about here guys!!!