Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-12-2012, 06:48 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Dayton Ohio
Posts: 225
How often do you replace your rotors?

I had someone meet up with me last week about purchasing my car. They were trying to talk me down in price by saying that my car is going to need brakes and rotors soon because there is a "lip" on the outside edge of the rotors.
Naturally since the brake pads don't go all the way to the edge of the rotors then there is going to be a little wear. I honestly do not think they need to be replaced and think they were just trying to beat me up in price.

I was a mechanic for almost 6 years and still continue to wrench on my own stuff. I disagree on them needing to be replaced but its neither here nor there.

Anyways, my question is, how often do you all replace your rotors. Now mind you I don't track my car or have any issues with them such as vibrations or any noise. Pads still have life on them. I have not replaced any brakes on it since I've owned it for the past 2.5 years.

__________________
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...IMAG0137-1.jpg
00 S Triple Black- Smoked lights, Tinted windows, Stainless exhaust, IwireP ipod cable, desnorkled, painted bumperettes
Jake D is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2012, 07:35 PM   #2
Registered User
 
dbazos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 36
Garage
Rotors are replaced based upon their remaining thickness, or if flaws or damage is found. Check the maximum wear limit for your car and if the rotors are getting close, I would replace them.
dbazos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2012, 08:26 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Jaxonalden's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 1,209
Garage
Used cars have used components on them. Nit picking brake rotors is BS. I have a lip on my rotors and I have 36K miles on mine and I'm nowhere close to changing them out...maybe turning them to clean them up but that's it. If you can, use a vernier caliper and measure the rotor (no need to remove the tire for this measurement). I'm sure you're in tolerance and you can tell that to the next buyer with the numbers to prove it.
__________________
Sadly on the outside looking in.
"Drive it like the Doctor ordered"

Last edited by Jaxonalden; 02-12-2012 at 08:30 PM.
Jaxonalden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2012, 09:50 PM   #4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Worcester
Posts: 57
Next they will tell you the flux capacitor is worn out, sounds like normal price beating tricks.
Splitpin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 02:09 AM   #5
Matt
 
MileHighBoxster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 284
To me it's not nit-picking or anything but good used car buying. It's your job as the seller to be able to refute or aquiesce to the buyer's requests. When I purchased my first Boxster I asked the dealer about the brakes and he couldn't tell me if they were close to needing replacement. I called the Porsche dealer in front of him and asked what a brake job would cost and they told me almost $2,000 for a complete job so I told them I wanted the $2,000 deducted or they needed to have the car reinspected for brake tolerance and have a brake job done if the rotors were close. They "reduce rather than repair". I got the $2,000 deducted and when I had the car inspected, the brakes were fine. If you're selling the car, have an inspection done and know what the exact amount remaining on your parts is so you can soothe the concerns of the buyer or deduct the amount as requested. Expect nothing less from a buyer than you would do if you were he/she. It's just good business.
__________________
Matt
2004 Boxster S, Guard's Red, 6 Speed

Last edited by MileHighBoxster; 02-13-2012 at 09:00 AM.
MileHighBoxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 05:45 AM   #6
Pat
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 456
MileHigh, I agree 100%. One cannot determine the true value of a used car without determining how much deferred maintenance there is. If you buy a car that will need brakes, tires and 90K mile service in the next month or two, the might be worth ~$4,000 less than if all of that was just done. That is a drastic difference in price for a car that might sell for $15,000.
That said, most cars haven't just had all that done, and most cars aren't in need of all of that in the next couple months. My $0.02.
__________________
"Of all the extreme sports I've ever participated in- windsurfing, kite boarding, wake boarding, tow-in surfing and snowboarding- skiing, for me, made everything else easy."
-Chuck Patterson
Pat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 09:34 AM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,656
Get one of these and measure the thickness of your rotor. Basic due diligence when you're trying to sell a vehicle.


Last edited by ekam; 02-13-2012 at 09:44 AM.
ekam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 10:16 AM   #8
1999 base
 
Meir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 1,617
Garage
With a small modification.

Just to make sure it will go the lip. 2 nuts hot glue. Can be removed when the job done.



I’m going to do the same inspection myself this afternoon, so here is the spec:
97-04 boxster-
Front: 22.6 mm minimum.
Rear: 18.6 mm minimum.
So if you are over these measurements it will tell you how much life you have left on your rotors.
Meir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 10:43 AM   #9
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 7,243
Meir, that's a great and simple mod to use my woodworking calipers! Thanks!
RandallNeighbour is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 10:49 AM   #10
Registered User
 
Perfectlap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 8,709
my calipers are on their last days.... but after 12 years and 80k miles.
pads were replaced last year for the first time ever. I try to drive with the throttle and not the brakes and since 90% of my driving is highway, it's easy.

Ironic because these are the best brakes you can buy stock.
__________________
GT3 Recaro Seats - Boxster Red
GT3 Aero / Carrera 18" 5 spoke / Potenza RE-11
Fabspeed Headers & Noise Maker
BORN: March 2000 - FINLAND
IMS#1 REPLACED: April 2010 - NEW JERSEY -- LNE DUAL ROW
Perfectlap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 10:53 AM   #11
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 7,243
I decided a few years ago that brake pads and rotors are cheaper than clutch component replacements so I no longer use engine braking by downshifting. Not sure if that's what you meant Perfectlap, but thought it would be good to add to this thread.
RandallNeighbour is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 11:11 AM   #12
Registered User
 
Perfectlap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 8,709
Haha...
no I shift as little as possible too. Last time I drove a Mini Cooper S it donned on me how little shifting down I do with this car in every day driving.
What I meant was that I see people using their brakes to slow down instead of just lifting off the throttle.
__________________
GT3 Recaro Seats - Boxster Red
GT3 Aero / Carrera 18" 5 spoke / Potenza RE-11
Fabspeed Headers & Noise Maker
BORN: March 2000 - FINLAND
IMS#1 REPLACED: April 2010 - NEW JERSEY -- LNE DUAL ROW
Perfectlap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 11:54 AM   #13
Registered User
 
jcb986's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,266
Ok, rotors are made of steel and have a lot of heat and friction applied to them during everyday driving. I start at 60K miles and will go no further than 75K on the rotors...then I replace them. No I will not turn them down...it's just not worth it.

I put a new set of drilled Balo Rotors and Mintex pads on my 2000S for about $300.
__________________
http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...6/PC120055.jpg

Old Hippie Young Heart
2000 S/3.2 Liter/Tiptronic/Boxster S Sport Package/Cruise Control/Slate Grey Metallic
Red Special Leather Interior/Red Floor Mats/Red Hand Painted Instrument Dials/Roll Bar/Windstop
Small Carbon Package/Leather Wrap Carbon Wheel/Center Console Exterior Color/Alum Carbon Shift Knob
AM/FM Radio w/CD Player & Changer/Digital Sound Package/18" Turbo Wheels/Wheel Caps w/Colored Crest
jcb986 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 12:19 PM   #14
1999 base
 
Meir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 1,617
Garage
do not want to hijack this post so i will start a new one.
will be interesting to get some of your opinion guys.
the subject is going to be "after market rotors and pads".
Meir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 04:52 PM   #15
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Dayton Ohio
Posts: 225
I've just not read about many people replacing rotors on here and I was just trying to see if I was wrong in my thinking. I guess I was more frustrated than anything to have to sit there and here them try to come up with a reason to talk me down.

They came out tonight to see the other parts I have that I am planning on including with the car. They are trying to get my car for a steal and I'm not going to let it happen. I already am considering a lower price than I was hoping for. Think I'm ready to move on although I know I will miss it. Trying to make grown up decisions blows.
__________________
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...IMAG0137-1.jpg
00 S Triple Black- Smoked lights, Tinted windows, Stainless exhaust, IwireP ipod cable, desnorkled, painted bumperettes
Jake D is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 05:03 PM   #16
Pat
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Littleton, CO
Posts: 456
Boxsters are like any other car. Rotors wear out. How fast depends on how the car was driven and pad type.
__________________
"Of all the extreme sports I've ever participated in- windsurfing, kite boarding, wake boarding, tow-in surfing and snowboarding- skiing, for me, made everything else easy."
-Chuck Patterson
Pat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 05:25 PM   #17
Registered User
 
Jaxonalden's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 1,209
Garage
Jake,

I don't know what your asking for your car and I don't know your situation. I really hate to see people having to give away their cars because they have to...and some buyers can see that and will take advantage.

Be strong, if they keep coming back then they want the car. Stick to your guns and get your asking price!!:troll:
__________________
Sadly on the outside looking in.
"Drive it like the Doctor ordered"
Jaxonalden is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 05:41 PM   #18
Registered User
 
landrovered's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Madison, Georgia
Posts: 1,012
Garage
Interestingly...Rotor replacement specifications are not based on the thickness of the rotor because of the strength of the rotor but they are actually determined by the travel of the caliper piston. If the caliper pistons travel too far then they can leak and compromise the integrity of the braking system. Just an FYI...
__________________
2001 Boxster S 3.6L, Zeintop
"Calling upon my years of experience, I froze at the controls." - Stirling Moss
landrovered is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 06:16 PM   #19
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,843
Quote:
Originally Posted by landrovered View Post
Interestingly...Rotor replacement specifications are not based on the thickness of the rotor because of the strength of the rotor but they are actually determined by the travel of the caliper piston. If the caliper pistons travel too far then they can leak and compromise the integrity of the braking system. Just an FYI...
Landrover, I believe that a minimum thickness is required on the rotors to help with the heat dissipation and also to help avoid rotor wrapping.
However, I could be wrong..

.
Gilles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2012, 06:30 PM   #20
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
I replace the rotors every time that I replace the pads. Maybe its overkill but its easy, I don't mind the minor extra expense, and it ensures a perfect brake job every time.

__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page