Corroded brake discs.

[cj2013]

Sheepshanks said:

I don't think it was a mistake. Car was in and out of the workshop in 20 mins (I waited). VW forum members report the 2nd year service (which only adds pollen filter a few more checks) and 3rd year service (same as first plus brake fluid) both invoice to VW at just over £100.

Problem is that the VW service routine is somewhat 'complicated'. There are several different variations based on the model, model year and maintenance 'type' - Longlife/Fixed changed to Flexible/Fixed and that confused the issue even more. You can, technically, have a "service" on a VW which is actually only an inspection and doesn't involve an oil change.

Unfortunately, the service actions are entirely dependant on the person who is producing the service sheet from ELSAPro, and often you'll find they give that job to someone who may be academically challenged (and thus will probably not do it correctly).


At the end of the day, if executed correctly, a dealer will most definitely make money from any repair or service, regardless of whether the customer, lease company or manufacturer are paying - the only thing that differs is the discounts.

[J4CKO]

cj2013 said:

J4CKO said:

Perhaps there are other type of people that are quite capable of a simple job like disks and pads and dont want to spend £300 to pay someone possibly less skilled and interested than themselves to change them ?

Those people would come into category 3, like I said. It has to be mentioned that not all discs and pads are a 'simple job', it's entirely subjective, especially where you have electronic handbrakes that need to be rewound. I also think it's a bit harsh to suggest a techy is 'less skilled and interested' (as we're talking manufacturer-approved here, not Kwik-Quid) - some of the fellas I worked with had over 30 years experience and were at the top level of master technicians, who took simple tasks and turned them into a craftmanship of care. Whilst this isn't always the case, it depends on the franchise as there are plenty out there who turn the screw and take the love out of the job.

J4CKO said:

The disks are £30 each as I said, and £20 for the pads, £80 in total and no more than an hour and half to do them, including a brew.

For cheap quality parts. There is a substantial difference between OE discs and the rubbish that many motor factors stack their shelves with

J4CKO said:

OEM means nothing really, Volvo dont make disks, they buy from external suppliers who make the same disks for the aftermarket.

Not at all true. The reality is much different, and is often that the external suppliers are selling the parts that were too inferior (or rejected), or even produced by companies who don't have the quality standards to win such a contract.

J4CKO said:

Dealers wont pay those prices for parts, they will buy from factors on a discount like any garage, they are counting on people just saying do it, nothing wrong with that, it is commerce but £463 seems a bit like piss taking.

No they're not, they're providing a service. The parts a dealer use don't come from motor factors at all, they are delivered directly from the manufacturer. Most OE parts only carry a 10% margin, and service parts (like filters) are, for the most part, the only large margin items.

They are providing a service but that is still over the odds, whichever way you spin it, not sure what these inferior quality parts are as I use, ATE, Lemforder, Bosch, Mintex, Brembo, QH etc etc on my cars and my brakes and suspension arent failing.

Have seen the factors vans at dealers, doesnt take a genius to wonder why they are there.

Craftmanship of care, well that isnt my experience of main dealers, largely down to doing the minimum for the most money, it doesnt need a master craftsman to change oil and brake pads, they dont spend the time to clean the calipers and invest the care an owner would.

The service I have had at main dealers is part of the reason I do my own.

[Ian974]

Though the main dealer price is steep, without knowing what like the cars brakes are, assuming good quality parts I'd be inclined to call around 300 fair. Assuming roughly 40-50 per disc, same again for pads, and possibly 100-150 for labour?
I'm more than happy to do brakes on my car myself, and yes to diy it may be possible to do the full job for less than 100, but considering the possibility of rusty caliper bolts and bleeders sticking, rounding off etc, it is a lot less hassle for most folk to stick it to a garage.

[Sheepshanks]

Ian974 said:

Though the main dealer price is steep, without knowing what like the cars brakes are, assuming good quality parts I'd be inclined to call around 300 fair. Assuming roughly 40-50 per disc, same again for pads, and possibly 100-150 for labour?
I'm more than happy to do brakes on my car myself, and yes to diy it may be possible to do the full job for less than 100, but considering the possibility of rusty caliper bolts and bleeders sticking, rounding off etc, it is a lot less hassle for most folk to stick it to a garage.

Absolutely. I used to do all my own maint, but these days I sit at a desk all day and do very little practical work. You lose the "feel" for tools and if I do anything now I usually end up hurting myself or breaking something!

I wouldn't pay dealer prices but last pad and disc change I got an indie to do it.

[mybrainhurts]

mcford said:

Vipers said:

Brake disc (rear) corroded, (didn't say one or two), £463.92.

It doesn't make any difference as to whether it is one or two, brake discs should alwats be replaced as an axle set along with the pads.

Yes it does.

If it's two, it's £463.92.

If it's one, two are £927.84.

HTH...