Gallardo brake pad problem

[UVB]

I had my car serviced by Lamborghini Reading at the end of June this year (2nd year service, 13k miles on the clock). While it was with them I had a call to say that the compound on the rear pads had begun to break apart and that a chunk was missing from one of them. They had requested a warranty replacement from Lamborghini as the pads themselves were less than 25% worn, but Lamborghini had refused saying the pads were a wear and tear item.

Reading felt that it should be warranty and said they would pursue the matter with Lamborghini but that it could take some time. I agreed to have the pads replaced at my cost while they pursued the matter. I've just this morning had an email back from Lamborghini (I decided to email them direct as it seemed to be taking so long) saying that they won't accept them as a warranty item as brake pads are a wear and tear item.

So the question is, should this be a wear and tear item or not? I fully understand that pads are like tyres/clutches/exhausts in respect of wear and tear, but if the compound is breaking apart when they are only 25% worn should it be "not fit for purpose" or as the warranty booklet puts it "free of defects in materials? Has anyone else gone through a set of rear pads in anything like 13k miles?

[andrew.]

just to clarify, that's both rear pads and yet both front pads are fine ?

[UVB]

Correct, original front pads still fitted to car. I've requested that Reading send me back the pads that were replaced so I can see them for myself but I have no reason to doubt their word.

I'll also add that I tend to leave the car in gear with handbrake off when parked (manual gearbox) - although I think the handbrake doesn't operate the main rear brakes anyway?

[Jasper Gilder]

Pads are a wear and tear item unless it can be shown that they are of defective manufacture - I'd get the pad manufacturers to look at them.

[sclayto2]

I can understand they are expensive if you use the dealer network for consumables, but Aren't they the same pads as the RS6, circa 50UKP for a set.

Possibly a lot of work over nothing.

[UVB]

Problem is the work has already been done (over £600.....) so I'm just looking for them to step up to the warranty claim and reimburse me.

If the car weren't in warranty I'd go elsewhere for this type of thing....but the way I feel about Lamborghini at the moment I doubt I'll have the car much longer.