I was just quoted $540 for front brakes from Mini. How much should it cost?

 

Not $540.

 

MINI front pads are what $45? And the rear are almost the same. So they are charging you what 8/hr of labor?

And I could of swore pads are part of the maintence on the car in your under 36k miles.

 

They are, you should get at least one free brake pad change inside the 3yr maintenance period.

 

For all 4 pads and rotors (they can't be turned so you have to get new ones) runs about 1000 from the dealer.

 

40,ooo miles. That $540 includes pads, turning the rotors and a test drive.

OK I knew that was a F U price. But what should I expect for a the job at a good mini shop?

Chris what are you talking about? Who told you that one? O' your MA right!

 

Dealer prices are just insane. You can get OEM rotors and pads for less than $250 all around. So $750 is service... that is crazy and I hope that is not the norm or I am in trouble.

 

That did not even include new rotors? But turning them... wow...

 

Thats what Niello Mini in sac told me, and i told them then i would be doing it myself.

 

I say find a good local shop and go there. Thats crazy for that work.

 

Prices on OE BMW/MINI brake parts have gone up drastically in the past few years. MINI front pads are $75 MSRP (at least according to Pelican Parts), and the rotors are about $80 MSRP each. Add another $20 for a wear sensor. That's over $250 MSRP just for the fronts.

 

Now is a great time to:
1. Buy aftermarket OEM size rotors (front and rear)- $220
2. Replace old pads with low dust pads- $120
3. Pay a local shop or get a friend to install- $ ?

Never pay the outrageous dealer prices for anything; the only time you need to go to the service shop is for warranty and recalls.

 

Who pays MSRP? Keep looking... Check out www.socalmotorsport.com Can easily get everything for under $250.

 

Update: the $540 did include new rotors. Well if the parts after market are $250 then $540 is not far off the mark for the dealer.

How much more for the JCW brakes installed?

 

On Saturday I literally paid $95 ($80 + $15 tip) to have my front brakes and all lines done by an off-duty MINI tech from the dealer. He installed:

- StopTech slotted rotors
- Axxis pads
- StopTech ss lines
- full bleed & fluid swap w/ ATE Blue

Parts?
- Rotors, $95 ea. for slotted (StopTech)
- Pads, $99 for Axxis Ultimate Street - Hawk HPS out of stock (StopTech)
- SS Lines, $130 for all four (StopTech)
- Fluid, $9.95 x 3 (RaceShopper)
- Wear sensor, $22.00 (Dealer part)

Not freezing in my garage while doing the whole deal? Priceless....

Seriously though, for stock parts (and turned rotors) that price seems really high. If you are able to continue using the rotors then the whole deal should run maybe $200 depending on labor rate and parts pricing.

Personally, I did pay a bit more getting the parts straight from StopTech. But their service is great and one stop shopping is convenient. I bought the fluid at RaceShopper, excellent place that I recommend highly.

JCW brake kit installed is about $1400-1500 depending on dealer labor rate. I think the kit hovers right around $1K if memory serves correct and ~4 hours to install (1 hour per wheel).

 

that was $250 for font and rear parts... but the OEM are even cheaper in the rear than the front so probably $175 for parts for just the front.

A local BMW shop (non-dealer) said that they would charge 8 hours of labor @ $72 and hour + parts. BUT I may have been mistaken on the labor time... I thought he said 8 hours but
that seems really high and I did not fully understand what he was saying. He was trying to say either 1 hour per axle or 2 hours per axle, I could not understand him. I will have to confirm because
that is a large discrepancy

 

This job takes only an hour or so. The hardest part is taking the wheels off. Have you considered doing it yourself and pocketing the difference?

Rawhyde

 

Although doing brakes is rather simple, don't attempt it if you do not have experience or do not have someone with you who has significant experience working on brakes. They are such critical safety components that they need to be 100% perfect. I know how to do the job and I still pay my local independent BMW mechanic to do brakes.

 

[/quote] JCW brake kit installed is about $1400-1500 depending on dealer labor rate. I think the kit hovers right around $1K if memory serves correct and ~4 hours to install (1 hour per wheel).[/quote]

Actually, you can get a new set of JCW brakes for around $850.00 on Ebay from Morristown Mini

But I'm paying about $525.00 to have them installed.

Chuck

 

I'm sorry, but unless you are a total clutz, or just don't want to do something mechanical yourself, doing a brake job.... assuming you can read instructions is very straight forward and very simple and easy.

I'm not knocking anyone who does not want to do these jobs, or someone who does not have the tools or an appropriate place, such as a dry garage. But if you want to save money, doing it yourself is a very viable option. Teach yourself how to do it by reading and asking questions. Make a list of what to do and what tools you need. Buy that stuff. Then have at it. Every person on this forum who knows how to do something is chomping at the bit to share their talent and knowledge.... use them.

It will be a lot easier than you think and you will gain a ton of satisfaction in having done something like this for yourself. I personlly would drive my MINI off a cliff before I would pay someone some of the prices quoted on this thread. Ridiculous

If you do it yourself, then you know exactly how it was done, (hopeful correct). You know that no shop monkey abused your car while it was in there hands. You know that no one slammed your door into that floor jack or a brick wall, or stuck a screwdriver through your leather seat because they forgot it was in their back pocket. Of got grease all over your seats of carpet... etc.

I appologize for my rants, and truly do not intend to offend anyone.

YD

 

A timely offer. I have to order and replace pads. I'll do front and rear at same time. I have a Bentley manual which explains the procedure really well. I know I'll need a socket set to remove the caliper, a torque wrench and a catch bottle for the fluid and for bleeding. The book mentions special BMW tools - I assume to retract the pads and hold the caliper cylinder from flying out of the housing. In the old days, I used to use a pry bar and a c-clamp respectively. Can these be used (with care) or are the BMW special tools a requirement for that safe, perfect and oh so satisfying brake job. Thanks to all the chompers.

 

Man I wish at my MINI dealership $540 could get you 8 hours of labor. The dealer here bills out at $120/hour on labor alone...

BEATNUT

 

+1

In the old days of drum brakes, there was a bit of an art getting all the bits and pieces back in the right place doing the right thing. Discs? Piece 'o cake. As long as you're not breaking into the lines, it's tough to do it wrong. Get the parts, read the instructions, take out the old and put in the new (do one side at a time so you have a static example) and you're all set. Really the most important thing to remember is to reseat the pistons (aka pump the brake pedal) after everything is back together.
Of course, if you're not comfortable doing the job, have a friend help, or just leave it to the pros.

 

Its not a dealer but an independant BMW mechanic.

 

Although I agree the above statement is true, it is a little harsh how its worded. For example, if I needed a scarf I would just go to the store and buy one, im sure that knitting is easy but I dont want to deal with knitting myself a scarf. I rather just go pay some money to get one. Keep in m ind everyone has different skill sets so the inability to do something should make them "a total clutz" or "lazy" (unless its like tieing their shoes or something).

BEATNUT