[SoCal_NSX]

local dealer quote was over $1000 for pads and rotors

my local indy guy quoted me $717


might just order the parts and try to DIY with a friend

[iScramble]

Are you decently handy? You will save a ton of money DIY. Front brakes are fairly simple to do and there's 100's of great YouTube tutorials.

[Billfitz]

You can do your own for $300 or less, and that's if you need rotors. Rotors usually last at least through two sets of pads.

[AllaVodka]

I've gotten a BJ for as little as $5 in Thailand

[Juice247]

If you're slightly OK with following directions, YouTube and a trip to the auto parts store will save you a ton of cash. I think the brakes on my f36 are the easiest I've ever had to work on and I've done brakes on a dozen different cars. If you're only doing pads, you can change them out in 15 min a wheel if you're quick! Even removing the calipers to swap rotors is very very straightforward. Order parts on FCP and one set of brakes will last you the life of the car.

On my last f36, Zimmerman rotors and Akebono pads, sensors and all were under $800 for all 4 corners. Dealer wanted $2200. Whole job was done, cleaned up and bedded in under 3 hours.

[MWM83]

300E 5 days ago

[johnung]

Originally Posted by SoCal_NSX

local dealer quote was over $1000 for pads and rotors

my local indy guy quoted me $717


might just order the parts and try to DIY with a friend

Do yourself a favor and get Hawk 5.0 brake pads. Guys always focus on rotors but it's the pads that make the biggest difference. Hawk 5.0 are best for street

If you are looking for high quality rotors at a reasonable price then get Zimmermann German made plain rotors.

If you want a rotor upgrade too then get StopTech full Crossdrilled. Best bite when combined with Hawk 5.0 pads. Also excellent in rain.

[SoCal_NSX]

Originally Posted by johnung

Do yourself a favor and get Hawk 5.0 brake pads. Guys always focus on rotors but it's the pads that make the biggest difference. Hawk 5.0 are best for street

If you are looking for high quality rotors at a reasonable price then get Zimmermann German made plain rotors.

If you want a rotor upgrade too then get StopTech full Crossdrilled. Best bite when combined with Hawk 5.0 pads. Also excellent in rain.

thanks for the advice

any go to online sites for good price and fast delivery?

[dmaxdmax]

I have always used OE compound pads, like Textar, and any blank rotor that isn't the cheapest...and have used FCPEuro for parts for close to 20 years. Lifetime warranties--some 'frugal' owners even return their used oil and get replacement.

[jnj2455]

I also echo the others. Get yourself the parts, follow some tutorials, and make it a bonding thing w/ a friend (or my father in my case). Front brakes are typically easier because you can leverage turning them to access the caliper bolts more easily. The rears are the ones that usually get you but if they're not super rusted out or something, you'll be able to break them free without too much difficulty.

[Fliplegend]

Just DIY'd my front brakes last year for about $300 using Mayle blanks with OEM BMW pads. These are the base brakes though. It was quite easy (brake design is similar if not identical between auto makers) especially with an electric impact & ratchet.

Usually, the night before, I put the car on jack stands, remove the wheels and spray PB blaster on caliper bolts. That way, the next morning, it's cake.

And yes, $500-$700 (indy) $800-$1000 (dealer) is normal for brake job with parts and labor.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by SoCal_NSX

thanks for the advice

any go to online sites for good price and fast delivery?

Right now...TireRack

[Walker_CW]

Aren't there 2 sensors that need to be replaced? One front and one rear?

[jnj2455]

Originally Posted by Walker_CW

Aren't there 2 sensors that need to be replaced? One front and one rear?

I haven't specifically changed a F3x's brakes but are you talking about the pad sensors? New brake pads come with a sensor and you just disconnect the old pads and reconnect them as you install the new ones. There would be an existing harness to connect to at each wheel.

[silver28]

Originally Posted by jnj2455

New brake pads come with a sensor and you just disconnect the old pads and reconnect them as you install the new ones.

I've honestly never seen new brake pads come with a new sensor...they are always separate unless you're buying a brake kit?

[chowser51]

been awhile since I did brakes on my f33. isn't a sensor wire $11? just get a new one.

[jnj2455]

Originally Posted by silver28

I've honestly never seen new brake pads come with a new sensor...they are always separate unless you're buying a brake kit?

now you're making me second guess my memory lol, it's been a while since I swapped my GTI's brakes but I'm like 95% sure the pads were embedded with the sensor because I remember being surprised myself when I first unboxed them. I think it was just the inner pad too, closer to the strut where the sensor to the car was hooked on.

tbh, I question whether they ever worked.

[435MSport6Speed]

Originally Posted by AllaVodka

I've gotten a BJ for as little as $5 in Thailand

Did you tip?

[RMachuca3d]

Originally Posted by 435MSport6Speed

Did you tip?

He absolutely did give a tip .


As for the OP's question, I did my msport brakes for 600$ all in, OEM two piece msport rotors front and back+pads+DOT4 LV brake flush. It pays to shop around for a little bit. Dealer had quoted a little under 3k$ for a brake job for my car.

[mean_f30]

do it your self. its so much cheaper and honestly pretty easy.

[Fliplegend]

Originally Posted by Walker_CW

Aren't there 2 sensors that need to be replaced? One front and one rear?

Depends if they've been triggered. If you see the red brake error with the mileage countdown, its too late. Otherwise, if you are careful you can pry them off from the old pads and reuse. But @ $10, might as well replace them. Would suck to button up the car and you can't reset the pad warning.