Subaru Brake job - $350?

[2000Accord]

Was recently given an estimate by a Subaru dealership for my front brakes (including machining the rotars) on our Forester.

Labour was $200.
Parts were $150.

I always used OEM parts for my Honda, but I was quite surprised by this quote.

Any good recommendations for an alternative?

Thanks

[^SkylinE^]

lol 2000$ for brakes and rotors for and STI!
150 for OEM pad from the dealer? Not the greatest.

I did all 4 corners on and STI with slotted rotors and hawk pads for just under 1000$.

So for about 100$ get hawk pads or what ever you like. Take the rotors off and take them to part sorce its like 15 $ for machining.

115$ later and dirty hands you have new pads and peace of mind.

The dealerships are far from cheap got to a shop and get a qoute or just do it yourself!

[CelicaST-162]

Many people don't have the option of doing work on their own cars, factors are lack of knowledge, tools, or time.

With that said, $350 isn't too too far fetched for a brake job done at the dealer. I would suggest getting OEM pads if you insist and take it to a brake-muffler shop. It will be cheaper.....

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by CelicaST-162

Many people don't have the option of doing work on their own cars, factors are lack of knowledge, tools, or time.

:thumbsup:

[max_boost]

Get a second opinion from another mechanical shop. $350 is within range though.

[revelations]

350 isnt bad... id also check to see how much new rotors are as your total cost might only be a little bit more - since there is no labour cost of machining them.

[That.Guy.S30]

try allmakes in the N.E. subaru specialists for another option.

[climer]

That is pretty expensive.

What year of Forester? What's the problem with the brakes? Are you getting some shaking during hard braking? Warped rotors?

If you shop around, you should be able to find a new set of front rotors and pads for around $150.

As for labor, you can do it yourself with some basic tools. It'll probably take you 20 min. per side at most.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by climer
As for labor, you can do it yourself with some basic tools. It'll probably take you 20 min. per side at most.

I don't recommend this at all unless you've done brakes before. Brakes are the most important part of the car and should be done right. I'm not saying it's a tough job but the average person can't even install a BOV or boost controller correctly half the time. I don't want them doing their own brakes and driving behind me or my family.

[clem24]

From a mechanics stand point, brakes are pretty general and easy to do. So in this case, there's no real point in going with Subaru unless you want that special fuzzy/tingly feeling that you're getting your work done at the dealer (and for a brake job, you can be assured they'll be using their cheapest labour -- read student, to do this relatively simple job). I would also ask around.

+1 Check out All-Makes and see what they quote you.

Another option is for you to get the parts yourself (for $150 you can almost get a set of new rotors instead of machining your old ones, and generic pads are quite cheap). Then go to the shop and have them install it.

And HeavyD: brakes aren't hard if you're not touching the brake lines. It's not the safety factor. It's just some people just don't want to be bothered to learn, or some people are just intimidated (until they know how simple it really is). But for a year round car, the hardest part is loosening the old rotor.

[C4S]

U mean $350 is good or bad?

It seems quite reasonable with part and labor, labor cost is like $120 an hr now ..

I got qoute for over $2K for the brake on my Sti 3 yr ago, ( probably more now!! )

So .. I sold it .. :rofl:

[heavyD]

Originally posted by clem24
And HeavyD: brakes aren't hard if you're not touching the brake lines. It's not the safety factor. It's just some people just don't want to be bothered to learn, or some people are just intimidated (until they know how simple it really is). But for a year round car, the hardest part is loosening the old rotor.

Sigh. Yes I've done brakes before and yes they aren't hard but you really are giving the average person far too much credit. You really need to see the ineptness of some people to realize that some people should leave jobs like brakes to people that know what they are doing.

[BokCh0y]

Originally posted by heavyD


Sigh. Yes I've done brakes before and yes they aren't hard but you really are giving the average person far too much credit. You really need to see the ineptness of some people to realize that some people should leave jobs like brakes to people that know what they are doing.

:werd:

Not a hard task at all, but like HeavyD states...should just leave certain jobs for certain people.

[alloroc]

All Makes
All Makes
All Makes

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by clem24

(and for a brake job, you can be assured they'll be using their cheapest labour -- read student, to do this relatively simple job). I would also ask around.


I have yet to work at a dealership where they have "students" work on brakes.

Having said that the Subaru Dealership that I am a partsperson at doesn't have apprentices. And, even when we did, it was only licensed techs turning the wrenches...