Brake pad wear 981

[jredram]

Just had an email from OPC telling me that they estimate my front brake pads may need replacing now- before the next (2yr, 20k mile) service is due in September. Car (Box S 981 Sept 2013) has done 19k miles. They had the car at 11k miles in March 2015 for an early 1st service,previously an oil change at 3k. It has PTV though this shouldn't make any difference on front pads. Spirited driving interspersed with far too much mundane moseying. What mileage are you guys getting from brake pads in normal driving? Is OPC likely to be right or just trying it on early?

Edited by jredram on Saturday 25th July 01:57

[Rockster]

jredram said:

Just had an email from OPC telling me that they estimate my front brake pads may need replacing now- before the next (2yr, 20k mile) service is due in September. Car (Box S 981 Sept 2013) has done 19k miles. They had the car at 11k miles in March 2015 for an early 1st service,previously an oil change at 3k. It has PTV though this shouldn't make any difference on front pads. Spirited driving interspersed with far too much mundane moseying. What mileage are you guys getting from brake pads in normal driving? Is OPC likely to be right or just trying it on early?

Edited by jredram on Saturday 25th July 01:57

BTW, "they estimate my front brake pads may need replacing now" is about as certain as a coin toss.

I guess the dealer is probably almost just testing you to see how easy you agree to what likely is very premature brake pad replacement.

My base 2002 Boxster gets such good life out of its brakes I can't recall the mileage now but I'm sure it is closer to 50K miles (if not more) than 20K miles. The rears can last another 25K miles or more. (20K miles is about the miles I replace the rear tires.)

My 2003 Turbo's front brakes were good until around 120K miles. The rears are still good at 137K miles.

Is the brake wear warning light on in your car? If not then what is the basis for the opinion the brake pads need to be replaced?

[engineermk]

I'm at 21k, the front pads are almost worn out. At the 20k service I was advised both the discs and pad will need replacing at the same time as the discs a heavily worn (I looked, they are).

I think living in Milton Keynes, lots of fast straight roads with a chicane (roundabout) every 3/4mile isn't helping my brake pad life.

[edh]

Can you not just go and check your pads?

[jredram]

edh said:

Can you not just go and check your pads?

I know where they are and I know what they look like, so thats a start I suppose, but not sure I would be at all accurate in assessing wear and remaining life. I enjoy driving it and leave the technicals to those more competent. I take the R32 to a local indy and trust him to do what he tells me needs doing. Not sure I could do the same with OPC.

[edh]

I'm sure you could do a quick visual check & see roughly how much pad material you have left. You might need a torch, but if you check against the disc face you should see the pad - with 2 layers, the backing plate & the friction material. AFAIK they start with approx. 12mm of friction material & the wear sensors will activate around 3mm.

You should have wear sensors (I assume) that will alert you long before your pads are shot - I'd ask your dealer why it's not just a good idea to rely on them?