I'm tired of getting ripped off by service dealers. I need my front
brake pads replaced (2002 Subaru Impreza). I know that the cost of the
pads is about $70.00. What is a fair price to have the job done?

wamurray@comcast.net writes:

> I'm tired of getting ripped off by service dealers. I need my front
> brake pads replaced (2002 Subaru Impreza). I know that the cost of the
> pads is about $70.00. What is a fair price to have the job done?

LOL. Well here's an instance where you're not getting ripped off by
some dealers. Now, Autozone will cheerfully sell you a set of total
piece of shit brake pads that "fit" the car, but here's the dirty
little secret I learned the hard way: they aren't the right material
for the car.

When you find your nice wheels perenially coated with brake dust and
wonder why the brakes feel softer than ever and wear out in 7000
miles...then if yer like me the light bulb will go on and you'll stop
shopping for the lowest price on brake pads.

Now, if you go with aftermarket pads (and history on these Subies
advises against that), make sure they're premium and ceramic, and
cross check the specs with what the car calls for. Or just save
yourself the trouble and buy the OEM pads from teh dealer. They are
actually competitive in price to the "right" aftermarket pads.
Since you are presumably still on OEM rotors, you really should go
with OEM pads to ensure compatibility. It can cost ya more later.

Related thread:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.a...b53dca9d520fba

And here's a parts list including full brake job done with aftermarket
parts (I'd have actualy saved money taking the dealer up on their full
brake job quote)
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.a...f2be69f821d566


Next time, I'll be doing the job myself again (now that I've learned
how even pros can manage to get it more wrong than I did), and I'll
be using OEM pads. Or, I'll try to get that same in hindsight very
reasonable quote from teh dealer to do them with OEM parts. My car
stops fine now, mind you, and the parts were top notch, but I didn't
save any money using aftermarket pads and a third party mechanic,
that's for sure.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA

On 03 Jun 2007 18:20:26 -0500, subaru@toddh.net (Todd H.) wrote:

> My car
>stops fine now, mind you, and the parts were top notch, but I didn't
>save any money using aftermarket pads and a third party mechanic,
>that's for sure.

My third party mechanic uses OEM parts, unless there is a compellingly
better aftermarket part, ex:// "Jeep". He makes sure you know this
up front, as OEM parts are usually more expensive.

Keep your eyes open, shops like this do exist. His main focus is
actually Toyota, as he and his brother have 15+ years each at Toyota
dealerships, but they work on anything.