Car Experts - any advice?

[Sid23]

I leased a 2006 Saab 9-3 in early 2006 and have put appox 25k miles on it since then. My brakes were making noise and I took it in last week for an estimate and then again today (2 diff places - Saab dealer and a local brake guy I trust). Both places say I need to replace my brake pads and rear routers and I'm looking at $700-1000. How is that possible with such a new car?

My lease has full warranty coverage and I understand brakes and pads are wear and tear items, but at 25,000 miles? that seems ridiculous to me.

How would you handle this situation?

 

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[Redshft]

I find it very hard to believe that the rotors need to be replaced. I have no experience with Saab, but a rotor is a rotor, it should take quite a while for you to have to replace that. Are you sure they didn't mean resurface the rotors? When changing brake pads, it is sometimes recommended to resurface the rotors, but it isn't needed.

It's not unusual to have to change pads after 25K miles though, some wear quicker than others. I had to change my first set of pads on the Z at 20K miles.

The rotors situation sounds fishy though, I would look into taking to another shop...and NOT one that specializes in brakes. See if there is a reputable shop around that specializes in foreign cars, these are usually the best places to go for your Saab.

 

[JesseO]

The rotors should be fine unless the nuts were tightened unevenly or there's some special circumstance that screwed them up. Replace the pads for $75 or so and you should be fine unless it feels a little wobbly when you use the brakes. Warranty *should* cover anything else. Remember, 80-90% of auto places will try to charge you for crap you don't need. If you in TX and wouldn't mind a little drive, my best friend has an auto shop and we could do the work for just the cost of the pads. Good luck =)

 

[EasyMoney_in_NC]

1000 seems high, but 700 could be more than reasonable. All depends on which brakes you have (based on which motor it has). Rotors could be shot, but you need to have them show you that they can't be "turned" and still be within specs.

Do you have vented disks? If they have cracks between the vents, they can't be turned (if they connect). The groves worn into the disks could be to deep to "turn". The pads have to get replaced as well if this is the case. Not really enough info to answer what you should really do, but hopefully this gives you a start.

hey look on the bright side, if it was a Porsche.....that grand wouldn't even cover the rotors let alone the labor and pads..........feel better

 

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[Russ H]

SeanS-

If the rotors are warped, or otherwise messed up, this is a realistic service expense.

Given your recent "Ahas" in financial awareness, I'm thinking that an old reliable Honda or Toyota is starting to look pretty sexy to you right now. :smxB:

-Russ H.

 

[Bilgefisher]

Rotors cost anywhere from $100-$300. They are fairly easy to replace yourself, but I wouldn't do it unless you have done it before or have a buddy that has.

Not to push you away, but I would try asking the Saab Forums. They should be able to help you much more then we can.

 

[Rawr]

I can see this happening at 25k- especially if you drive your car hard.

To add a little to Russ's point - my brakes and rotors cost something like $200-230 for a Ford.

 

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[andviv]

I moved this thread to the Off topic discussion forum.

 

[Sid23]

I moved this thread to the Off topic discussion forum.

Thanks. I forgot we had this section.

Given your recent "Ahas" in financial awareness, I'm thinking that an old reliable Honda or Toyota is starting to look pretty sexy to you right now. :smxB:

My fiancee and I were discussing just how much I miss my old Honda Civic this morning as she was driving me to pick up my Saab from the shop. :smx4:

 

[Wolfgang5150]

Actually that price is not bad.
A quick google shows rotors are $182 apiece.
Pads are $22-$86 depending on which ones.
Add labor - and there you go.
We need more car threads.
Kevin S.
Orchard Park, NY
Look on the really bright side - if it were a Ferrari, then you will be in for a shock

 

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[andviv]

"That you can make the monthly payments does not necessarily mean that you can afford the car" --unknown

 

[KyJoe]

It would be unusal for the rear rotors to be out of spec, and not the front. Your front gets the vast majority of wear. It is of course possible. Some cars have thin rotors which don't allow for much or any turning of them. Take it to another a shop, and get it inspected. They will do it for free, and then make your decision.

 

[biophase]

I concur with KYjoe, the fronts should be the ones worn, not the rear. Maybe your rear calipers are misaligned causing the premature warping. Did you need them replaced due to warping or due to their thickness?

$700 sounds high to me unless they are doing front and rear rotors.

 

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