AM Brakes replacement costs
Discussion
Hi, I've got an AM DB11 (2017) 5.2/v12 and apparently need to get all the brake pads and discs replaced. I've been quoted £3226 rear and £2427 front, as apparently these items can only be sourced from AM. I was wondering if anyone else had any experience of this and whether these costs seem reasonable (it doesn't feel like it!) or whether anyone knows of suitable products from other suppliers (e.g. brembo etc). Any advice gratefully received.
Aston makes it particularly difficult to maintain their vehicles. They tend to push owners back into the Aston dealership for repairs and maintenance. They do this by NOT distributing replacement parts or IDing replacement part numbers for "wear" items such as brakes, filters, etc. By doing this, and by the very small numbers of units in the field, large aftermarket parts distributors are not very interested in finding compatible parts in the repair/replacement department.
I do absolutely everything to maintain and repair my cars. I did with numerous Corvettes, Bentley, MB AMG GT, etc., all of which are far easier to find parts than AM.
On the recently pre-owned 2018 DB11 V12 I acquired, I vowed I would continue with tradition no matter how much research and work it took me to find parts.
To validate the OPs own findings on brakes, my 2018 needed brake pads on all four corners. I researched and found an independent shop close to me in Florida that quoted a complete brake job. Here is his written response to me:
I was given your email regarding brakes on your 2018 DB11. Brake pad, rotor, wear sensor & hardware replacement on these vehicles typically run $5500.00-$6000.00 per axle. We would need to see the vehicle, or course, to give a proper estimate- but this is a general “ball park” price range. We should be able to do a 4 wheel alignment on this vehicle, also, which would run $289.95. All prices do not include taxes or shop supply charges.
$6,000 per axle makes a complete brake job by an independent shop at $12,000! Converting that to BPS would be 9,347. An Aston dealer in the states would be $2,000 more than that.
After hours and hours of research I found (and verified by actually purchasing the parts and personally doing the replacement work) the pads.
The rear brake pads on the DB11 V12 are the same pads used on the Corvette ZR1 circa 2010 to 2012
The front brake pads are the same ones used on the AM Vantage cars with 6 piston front calipers. These are usually the S versions and/or the V12 Vantages from circa mid 2010s. Just make sure the descriptions say - "for 6 piston calipers" and they will fit.
Once you know this (and if pad replacement is all that is needed) you can either do a pad upgrade yourself, or have any independent shop to the same for pennies, because now you will have numerous choices in pads from economy ones (not recommended) to the expensive ones with names like Pagid, Brembo, Hawk, Carbotech, numerous others.
Same with other parts:
Air filters are Mahle LX 778 (778/1)from a BMW 745I circa 2004 (also RR 2018)
oil filter is same a DB9 V12, or Ford racing filter CM-6731-FL820
Cabin Pollen filter same as MB AMG GT circa 2017 (also used in numerous other MB models and years)
All of the above parts are not just speculation but are actually in my car which I overly maintain.
I do absolutely everything to maintain and repair my cars. I did with numerous Corvettes, Bentley, MB AMG GT, etc., all of which are far easier to find parts than AM.
On the recently pre-owned 2018 DB11 V12 I acquired, I vowed I would continue with tradition no matter how much research and work it took me to find parts.
To validate the OPs own findings on brakes, my 2018 needed brake pads on all four corners. I researched and found an independent shop close to me in Florida that quoted a complete brake job. Here is his written response to me:
I was given your email regarding brakes on your 2018 DB11. Brake pad, rotor, wear sensor & hardware replacement on these vehicles typically run $5500.00-$6000.00 per axle. We would need to see the vehicle, or course, to give a proper estimate- but this is a general “ball park” price range. We should be able to do a 4 wheel alignment on this vehicle, also, which would run $289.95. All prices do not include taxes or shop supply charges.
$6,000 per axle makes a complete brake job by an independent shop at $12,000! Converting that to BPS would be 9,347. An Aston dealer in the states would be $2,000 more than that.
After hours and hours of research I found (and verified by actually purchasing the parts and personally doing the replacement work) the pads.
The rear brake pads on the DB11 V12 are the same pads used on the Corvette ZR1 circa 2010 to 2012
The front brake pads are the same ones used on the AM Vantage cars with 6 piston front calipers. These are usually the S versions and/or the V12 Vantages from circa mid 2010s. Just make sure the descriptions say - "for 6 piston calipers" and they will fit.
Once you know this (and if pad replacement is all that is needed) you can either do a pad upgrade yourself, or have any independent shop to the same for pennies, because now you will have numerous choices in pads from economy ones (not recommended) to the expensive ones with names like Pagid, Brembo, Hawk, Carbotech, numerous others.
Same with other parts:
Air filters are Mahle LX 778 (778/1)from a BMW 745I circa 2004 (also RR 2018)
oil filter is same a DB9 V12, or Ford racing filter CM-6731-FL820
Cabin Pollen filter same as MB AMG GT circa 2017 (also used in numerous other MB models and years)
All of the above parts are not just speculation but are actually in my car which I overly maintain.
MikeNBUK said:
Hi, I've got an AM DB11 (2017) 5.2/v12 and apparently need to get all the brake pads and discs replaced...I've been quoted £3226 rear and £2427 front, as apparently these items can only be sourced from AM
I hate it when dealers do that. Defo one BS there, possibly two. Don't let them pull your pants down.NB I see you made the upgrade from an X150 like me!
All of the parts are likely off the shelf parts. It’s just finding the right supplier.
Most of AM pad choices seem to come from the Nisshinbo Group, TMD Friction. Ie Pagid and Textar.
If you can get the old pads out and give them a clean I bet you could clues. Otherwise as above see what other older models the callipers were used on and go from there.
I bought all of my Pads for my 4.7 Vantage with Textar branding and they are identical to OEM bar printing on the shims. Approx 30% of cost and fitted them myself.
Most of AM pad choices seem to come from the Nisshinbo Group, TMD Friction. Ie Pagid and Textar.
If you can get the old pads out and give them a clean I bet you could clues. Otherwise as above see what other older models the callipers were used on and go from there.
I bought all of my Pads for my 4.7 Vantage with Textar branding and they are identical to OEM bar printing on the shims. Approx 30% of cost and fitted them myself.
Pads are certainly readily available, and I'd be very surprised if discs aren't. 
https://www.porterfieldbrakes.co.uk/shop/?wpce_sea...
https://www.porterfieldbrakes.co.uk/shop/?wpce_sea...
raceboy said:
Pads are certainly readily available, and I'd be very surprised if discs aren't.
https://www.porterfieldbrakes.co.uk/shop/?wpce_sea...
thanks RB - will explore - I think pads are available but discs less so for some reasonhttps://www.porterfieldbrakes.co.uk/shop/?wpce_sea...
skhannes said:
Aston makes it particularly difficult to maintain their vehicles. They tend to push owners back into the Aston dealership for repairs and maintenance. They do this by NOT distributing replacement parts or IDing replacement part numbers for "wear" items such as brakes, filters, etc. By doing this, and by the very small numbers of units in the field, large aftermarket parts distributors are not very interested in finding compatible parts in the repair/replacement department.
I do absolutely everything to maintain and repair my cars. I did with numerous Corvettes, Bentley, MB AMG GT, etc., all of which are far easier to find parts than AM.
On the recently pre-owned 2018 DB11 V12 I acquired, I vowed I would continue with tradition no matter how much research and work it took me to find parts.
To validate the OPs own findings on brakes, my 2018 needed brake pads on all four corners. I researched and found an independent shop close to me in Florida that quoted a complete brake job. Here is his written response to me:
I was given your email regarding brakes on your 2018 DB11. Brake pad, rotor, wear sensor & hardware replacement on these vehicles typically run $5500.00-$6000.00 per axle. We would need to see the vehicle, or course, to give a proper estimate- but this is a general “ball park” price range. We should be able to do a 4 wheel alignment on this vehicle, also, which would run $289.95. All prices do not include taxes or shop supply charges.
$6,000 per axle makes a complete brake job by an independent shop at $12,000! Converting that to BPS would be 9,347. An Aston dealer in the states would be $2,000 more than that.
After hours and hours of research I found (and verified by actually purchasing the parts and personally doing the replacement work) the pads.
The rear brake pads on the DB11 V12 are the same pads used on the Corvette ZR1 circa 2010 to 2012
The front brake pads are the same ones used on the AM Vantage cars with 6 piston front calipers. These are usually the S versions and/or the V12 Vantages from circa mid 2010s. Just make sure the descriptions say - "for 6 piston calipers" and they will fit.
Once you know this (and if pad replacement is all that is needed) you can either do a pad upgrade yourself, or have any independent shop to the same for pennies, because now you will have numerous choices in pads from economy ones (not recommended) to the expensive ones with names like Pagid, Brembo, Hawk, Carbotech, numerous others.
Same with other parts:
Air filters are Mahle LX 778 (778/1)from a BMW 745I circa 2004 (also RR 2018)
oil filter is same a DB9 V12, or Ford racing filter CM-6731-FL820
Cabin Pollen filter same as MB AMG GT circa 2017 (also used in numerous other MB models and years)
All of the above parts are not just speculation but are actually in my car which I overly maintain.
thanks for your response - I've tended to take the same view myself and have always favoured local specialists over main dealers - people who care as opposed to people who seem to think that they have a license to rinse. Recent examples include 19 hours to replace an air con knob, £750 + vat for a headlight control switch....nutters are having a turkish!
I do absolutely everything to maintain and repair my cars. I did with numerous Corvettes, Bentley, MB AMG GT, etc., all of which are far easier to find parts than AM.
On the recently pre-owned 2018 DB11 V12 I acquired, I vowed I would continue with tradition no matter how much research and work it took me to find parts.
To validate the OPs own findings on brakes, my 2018 needed brake pads on all four corners. I researched and found an independent shop close to me in Florida that quoted a complete brake job. Here is his written response to me:
I was given your email regarding brakes on your 2018 DB11. Brake pad, rotor, wear sensor & hardware replacement on these vehicles typically run $5500.00-$6000.00 per axle. We would need to see the vehicle, or course, to give a proper estimate- but this is a general “ball park” price range. We should be able to do a 4 wheel alignment on this vehicle, also, which would run $289.95. All prices do not include taxes or shop supply charges.
$6,000 per axle makes a complete brake job by an independent shop at $12,000! Converting that to BPS would be 9,347. An Aston dealer in the states would be $2,000 more than that.
After hours and hours of research I found (and verified by actually purchasing the parts and personally doing the replacement work) the pads.
The rear brake pads on the DB11 V12 are the same pads used on the Corvette ZR1 circa 2010 to 2012
The front brake pads are the same ones used on the AM Vantage cars with 6 piston front calipers. These are usually the S versions and/or the V12 Vantages from circa mid 2010s. Just make sure the descriptions say - "for 6 piston calipers" and they will fit.
Once you know this (and if pad replacement is all that is needed) you can either do a pad upgrade yourself, or have any independent shop to the same for pennies, because now you will have numerous choices in pads from economy ones (not recommended) to the expensive ones with names like Pagid, Brembo, Hawk, Carbotech, numerous others.
Same with other parts:
Air filters are Mahle LX 778 (778/1)from a BMW 745I circa 2004 (also RR 2018)
oil filter is same a DB9 V12, or Ford racing filter CM-6731-FL820
Cabin Pollen filter same as MB AMG GT circa 2017 (also used in numerous other MB models and years)
All of the above parts are not just speculation but are actually in my car which I overly maintain.
thanks for your response - I've tended to take the same view myself and have always favoured local specialists over main dealers - people who care as opposed to people who seem to think that they have a license to rinse. Recent examples include 19 hours to replace an air con knob, £750 + vat for a headlight control switch....nutters are having a turkish!
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