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Technical Cost of new brakes??

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Technical Cost of new brakes??

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Tashab

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Jan 28, 2011
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Hi there,

My Fiat 500 Twin Air has already had its first service at 20,000 miles, the Fiat garage told me I would need my brakes replacing at 26,000 miles.

I've booked it in for this Saturday, but wondered whether this sounded right to you and will I need both pads and discs replaced?? I've only had the car from new for just over a year and granted do a lot of mileage.

Plus if you could tell me how much I could expect to pay, that would be great!!

Thanks in advance :)

Tasha
 
I would try and find a small owner-run local garage that one of your friends or family uses and trusts and have them check. They will be cheaper and may be more honest.
 
Discs and pads? Sounds fishy to me.
Pads alone? Then yes.

Fiat asked 150 euros for changing my front pads, i had it done by an indie friend for 50. (it barely takes 15 mins).

Fiat asked 105 euros (with a discount) for changing my rear pads, i had it done by an inde for 30!


Do this through an indie, changing brake pads do not require a manufacturer to do it. Any decent mechanic with the right tools should be able to do it in no time.
 
Thanks!

I was worried as I've got it on a PCP and that they would need replacing through an official Fiat Garage.
I'm hoping its just the pads..I always seem to get ripped off cos I'm a girl :(
 
Can be worth getting a male friend or relation to do it for you if that is possible. Less important if you have identified a really good recommended garage.
 
To the original poster, if you're in London come to pitstart next thursday night. Bunch of us servicing 500's, Panda 100hp's and an Alfa. If you want to see how easy it is to change brakes we can show you :)
 
Tashab said:
Hi there,

My Fiat 500 Twin Air has already had its first service at 20,000 miles, the Fiat garage told me I would need my brakes replacing at 26,000 miles.

I've booked it in for this Saturday, but wondered whether this sounded right to you and will I need both pads and discs replaced?? I've only had the car from new for just over a year and granted do a lot of mileage.

Plus if you could tell me how much I could expect to pay, that would be great!!

Thanks in advance :)

Tasha
Click to expand...

Agree with all the posts before me. My OH had the front brake pads done on her Alfa (posted the invoice on the FF) & never again. Suggest buying the pads yourself (assuming it's a 1.2) and get someone to fit them.
Shop4parts (Click here) OEM type £33 further discount might be possible
nextdaybrakes courtesy of Maxi (Click here) 'cheap' Brembo £18

The 'fastfit' guys might do it for you if you speak with the service manager - wouldn't cost much or as mentioned before a trusted independent.

Personally I would only pay the 'Fiat' labour rate for a stamp in service history book but it would be hard to justify the full rate for a pad change. Highly unlikely the discs are gone on a first pad change.
 
What about halfords service centres?
They do brakes for life meaning you only pay for the first set, and any others needed are free.

There are some conditions but it's you who gets covered, not the car so even when you change cars, you can still get free pads.

Not tried it myself, may be worth a look?
 
Last edited:
deeyup said:
What about halfords service centres?
They do brakes for life meaning you only pay for the first set, and any others needed are free.

There are some conditions but it's you who gets covered, not the car so even when you change cars, you can still get free pads.

Not tried it myself, may be worth a look?
Click to expand...

A quick search on the feedback from some 'ex'-customers of these service centres would make one hesitant before handing my car over. Anything that's 'too good to be true' has a catch e.g. you need to change the discs as well which has been a criticism of Kwit Fit.
Imagine that the pads would be up to scratch possibly matching OEM put there are reports of squealing. Spokesman stated that this happened on the old pads since the new ones have a bevelled leading edge.
That said the OH's front pads that were changed last November on her MiTo MJ at a 'Fiat' dealership are still squealing.
Personally I would prefer to know the exact make of pads that were going into my car. I wouldn't be happy with a 'Halfords' branding.
 
loveshandbags said:
A quick search on the feedback from some 'ex'-customers of these service centres would make one hesitant before handing my car over. Anything that's 'too good to be true' has a catch e.g. you need to change the discs as well which has been a criticism of Kwit Fit.
Imagine that the pads would be up to scratch possibly matching OEM put there are reports of squealing. Spokesman stated that this happened on the old pads since the new ones have a bevelled leading edge.
That said the OH's front pads that were changed last November on her MiTo MJ at a 'Fiat' dealership are still squealing.
Personally I would prefer to know the exact make of pads that were going into my car. I wouldn't be happy with a 'Halfords' branding.
Click to expand...


Take the pads yourself and ask them to charge you how much for changing them.
 
loveshandbags said:
Anything that's 'too good to be true' has a catch e.g. you need to change the discs as well which has been a criticism of Kwit Fit.
Click to expand...

Well spoken words of wisdom there. I'm sure they've given considerable thought to the business model behind this deal.

I've just been reading the "too good to be true" Halfords offer - it appears they'll replace the pads for free not just on your current car, but on any future car you subsequently buy.

The catch is that you "repair or replace any other brake parts when necessary" .

I'm betting nobody comes away with a "free" set of pads without paying for new discs - and it'd be interesting to see what the charge for supplying & fitting the discs turns out to be.

I'm sure any independent garage could make a good living by supplying & fitting "free" no-name brake pads if they could charge you top money for parts & labour on the discs (for the less technically aware readers, there's no additional labour in fitting the pads if you're changing the discs). And these days, the discs often do genuinely need replacing when the pads are changed.

loveshandbags said:
Imagine that the pads would be up to scratch possibly matching OEM put there are reports of squealing. Spokesman stated that this happened on the old pads since the new ones have a bevelled leading edge.
That said the OH's front pads that were changed last November on her MiTo MJ at a 'Fiat' dealership are still squealing.
Click to expand...

Squealing is often down to cutting corners on cleaning & lubrication when fitting - it can usually be prevented if any corrosion is properly removed* from the sliding surfaces & a dab of brake grease is applied. And if the new pads aren't chamfered out of the box, it only takes a few moments with a file...

*just swilling the assembly down with brake cleaner isn't the same thing as "properly removed"
 
Tashab said:
Hi there,

My Fiat 500 Twin Air has already had its first service at 20,000 miles, the Fiat garage told me I would need my brakes replacing at 26,000 miles.

I've booked it in for this Saturday, but wondered whether this sounded right to you and will I need both pads and discs replaced?? I've only had the car from new for just over a year and granted do a lot of mileage.

Plus if you could tell me how much I could expect to pay, that would be great!!

Thanks in advance :)

Tasha
Click to expand...
Hi Tasha, I had my brakes done yesterday and it cost me around £177.00. This was due to the fact that at 24,500 miles the pads had worn down to metal to metal and I was told the rotors can't be turned so they were replaced. So I recommend every 20,000 miles have the pads checked, and replaced. If needed. I would think a normal brake job would probably come in at around £100.00 give or take a few pounds. Hope this helps.
 
cheesamich said:
Hi Tasha, I had my brakes done yesterday and it cost me around £177.00. This was due to the fact that at 24,500 miles the pads had worn down to metal to metal and I was told the rotors can't be turned so they were replaced. So I recommend every 20,000 miles have the pads checked, and replaced. If needed. I would think a normal brake job would probably come in at around £100.00 give or take a few pounds. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Personally I'm glad I'm competent enough to replace pads and discs. Pads depending on brand, can be bought for around £35 for the TA at the cheaper end, and discs can be had for as little as 20 quid a pair, again dependent on brand, so perfectly possible on the TA to do the job yourself for under £60. With decent aftermarket branded parts, I'd be looking at about £75 to £80 for the job doing it myself.
 
cheesamich said:
Hi Tasha, I had my brakes done yesterday and it cost me around £177.00. This was due to the fact that at 24,500 miles the pads had worn down to metal to metal and I was told the rotors can't be turned so they were replaced. So I recommend every 20,000 miles have the pads checked, and replaced. If needed. I would think a normal brake job would probably come in at around £100.00 give or take a few pounds. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

welcome to the forum :) thanks for adding your experience it all helps.
 
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