Hello All,

I am new to the forum and need some advice. I just had my Fiat 500C by Diesel at the dealership for a service and they called me to tell me that I need to replace my brake pads (both front and back). They quoted me in the region of R6000 (About £300) which is a little excessive. I have then contacted the local Bosch Service Centre who quoted me almost exactly half the price.

My question is this...

My 500's milage is at 77000, which is not that far to reaching the end of it's factory warranty, however I still don't want to void it before the end. Will me using Bosch to replace my brake pads with non-Fiat pads have an impact on my warranty and would you say that it is worth paying double?

alexpage said:

Hello All,



I am new to the forum and need some advice. I just had my Fiat 500C by Diesel at the dealership for a service and they called me to tell me that I need to replace my brake pads (both front and back). They quoted me in the region of R6000 (About £300) which is a little excessive. I have then contacted the local Bosch Service Centre who quoted me almost exactly half the price.



My question is this...



My 500's milage is at 77000, which is not that far to reaching the end of it's factory warranty, however I still don't want to void it before the end. Will me using Bosch to replace my brake pads with non-Fiat pads have an impact on my warranty and would you say that it is worth paying double?

Click to expand...

I have Bosch pads on my fiat, much better than fiats pads. Well, are you planning to have a warranty claim on your brake system? I am guessing no so go for the Bosch option

alexpage said:

Hello All,

I am new to the forum and need some advice. I just had my Fiat 500C by Diesel at the dealership for a service and they called me to tell me that I need to replace my brake pads (both front and back). They quoted me in the region of R6000 (About £300) which is a little excessive. I have then contacted the local Bosch Service Centre who quoted me almost exactly half the price.

My question is this...

My 500's milage is at 77000, which is not that far to reaching the end of it's factory warranty, however I still don't want to void it before the end. Will me using Bosch to replace my brake pads with non-Fiat pads have an impact on my warranty and would you say that it is worth paying double?

Click to expand...

If I'm correct, brake pads will not come under warranty items because they come under wear and tear, unless of course there are other serious issues associated with your braking system? If you are on the original brake pads at 77k, (I'm assuming kilometers here not miles), then I'd just go on and get them changed and not necessarily using genuine Fiat pads either, but on the other hand, don't use dirt cheap pads either.

You're right, R6000 is a helluva lot of money just to replace pads with genuine ones and knowing South Africa as well as I do, you know you can get these swapped out far far cheaper than your original quote. I'd go with ahmett's advice and use the Bosch service centre and have done with it unless of course in the town you live you have a good trusted mechanic who will do the job for you.

To be fair, if you've got pads all round and you're a competent mechanic, they're an easy swap, but I'm bound to say that because I always change my own brake pads and discs anyway. Worth having a brake fluid change too if you haven't had one done since you bought the car.

Welcome by the way, it's always nice to have someone in from the Southern Hemisphere!

Thanks Ahmett

I don't plan to have any claims on the braking systems. To be honest, the Fiat service in SA is so bad that I can't wait for the warranty to be over. I'll be making the booking with Bosch later this week.

Thanks everyone for your replies, this helps a LOT!!

I will be doing the Bosch thing rather, although, once the warranty is completely over and my pads get worn again, I may do it myself next time.

I confess that I love my Fiat 500 and haven't had any problems with it, except that the Fiat service in SA is pathetic to say the least. I just fetched my car from the dealer after a minor service (oil change I would expect) and it is now making a funny noise!! Every time I take my car into these guys and I have gone to various dealerships, I end up with more problems. I really wish that Fiat would sort this out as it give them such a bad reputation in SA.

alexpage said:

Thanks everyone for your replies, this helps a LOT!!



I will be doing the Bosch thing rather, although, once the warranty is completely over and my pads get worn again, I may do it myself next time.



I confess that I love my Fiat 500 and haven't had any problems with it, except that the Fiat service in SA is pathetic to say the least. I just fetched my car from the dealer after a minor service (oil change I would expect) and it is now making a funny noise!! Every time I take my car into these guys and I have gone to various dealerships, I end up with more problems. I really wish that Fiat would sort this out as it give them such a bad reputation in SA.

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Fiat Greece is no better trust me

does Fiat sa or europe sell their classic range its genuine fiat but a lot cheaper .
on the pads their about a 3rd of the price they just don,t come with warning wires and a good garage can change the ones over on the ones coming off .

Sturgess Motor Group said:

does Fiat sa or europe sell their classic range its genuine fiat but a lot cheaper .
on the pads their about a 3rd of the price they just don,t come with warning wires and a good garage can change the ones over on the ones coming off .

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yes also magnetti marelli make the brake pads for cheaper and they are considered fiat parts. but i never liked the quality of the fiat pads so never used them again after changing.