$2,000 brake job.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 661
Likes: 2
From: Ca.
$2,000 brake job.
I just got off the phone with our local Chevy dealer, and they said when changing the brake pads you also need to change the rotors. They also said that a tune up which includes, spark plugs and wires along with the brakes, would cost $2,000.
This seems high to me.
I recently purchased the car with 62k miles on it, and was told the brakes have never been touched by the previous owner. I understand the spark plugs are supposed to last 100K miles, but this seems high to me.
As of now, the brakes and engine run fine.
This seems high to me.
I recently purchased the car with 62k miles on it, and was told the brakes have never been touched by the previous owner. I understand the spark plugs are supposed to last 100K miles, but this seems high to me.
As of now, the brakes and engine run fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 887
Likes: 8
From: North Plainfield New Jersey
holy crap. I've seen some pretty bad dealer overcharging, but WOW.
Steer VERY clear of that dealer. If you only care about stock replacement parts, rotors and pads are only around 200-300. I would also ask to see what their "tune up" involves in writing. Even if you got new spark plugs, wires, all new filters, oil change, and battery it still would only cost MAYBE 200 bucks. You need to ask them where the other 1,500 is coming from!!!!
Steer VERY clear of that dealer. If you only care about stock replacement parts, rotors and pads are only around 200-300. I would also ask to see what their "tune up" involves in writing. Even if you got new spark plugs, wires, all new filters, oil change, and battery it still would only cost MAYBE 200 bucks. You need to ask them where the other 1,500 is coming from!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
holy crap. I've seen some pretty bad dealer overcharging, but WOW.
Steer VERY clear of that dealer. If you only care about stock replacement parts, rotors and pads are only around 200-300. I would also ask to see what their "tune up" involves in writing. Even if you got new spark plugs, wires, all new filters, oil change, and battery it still would only cost MAYBE 200 bucks. You need to ask them where the other 1,500 is coming from!!!!
Steer VERY clear of that dealer. If you only care about stock replacement parts, rotors and pads are only around 200-300. I would also ask to see what their "tune up" involves in writing. Even if you got new spark plugs, wires, all new filters, oil change, and battery it still would only cost MAYBE 200 bucks. You need to ask them where the other 1,500 is coming from!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
When replacing brake pads, you should have a true and fresh friction surface......that being said and depending on the condition of the existing rotors (thickness), they can be turned. They should be turned or replaced.
As far as plugs, at 62K miles - I would change the plugs. Yes they are supposed to last 100K, but reality is I would change the plugs.
We use NGK TR55's - they cost about $3 apiece. GM Hot Wires (red) are about $80.
Alldata which is the flat rate book most places use calls for 2.1 hours on the plugs, wires are 2.5 hours. Brake pads and rotor replacement is about 3.8 hours. I don't know what the dealership's hourly rate is - let's just say it's $100 per hour - that's $840 labor. How much are they charging you for new rotors and pads?
As far as plugs, at 62K miles - I would change the plugs. Yes they are supposed to last 100K, but reality is I would change the plugs.
We use NGK TR55's - they cost about $3 apiece. GM Hot Wires (red) are about $80.
Alldata which is the flat rate book most places use calls for 2.1 hours on the plugs, wires are 2.5 hours. Brake pads and rotor replacement is about 3.8 hours. I don't know what the dealership's hourly rate is - let's just say it's $100 per hour - that's $840 labor. How much are they charging you for new rotors and pads?
Last edited by blacksedan87; Jan 31, 2011 at 12:42 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 394
From: Stoney Creek Ontario
that's probably right for a stealership, considering they use genuine parts at full list price! you've actually onl;y got about a hunnert bux worth of plugs and wires and about 4 hunnert bux worth of pad/rorors if you get some nice slotted/drilled with ceramic pads.....3 - 4 hrs labour should cover everything..... I've done it all in less....
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 0
From: Hopewell Junction NY
When replacing brake pads, you should have a true and fresh friction surface......that being said and depending on the condition of the existing rotors (thickness), they can be turned. They should be turned or replaced.
As far as plugs, at 62K miles - I would change the plugs. Yes they are supposed to last 100K, but reality is I would change the plugs.
We use NGK TR55's - they cost about $3 apiece. GM Hot Wires (red) are about $80.
Alldata which is the flat rate book most places use calls for 2.1 hours on the plugs, wires are 2.5 hours. Brake pads and rotor replacement is about 3.8 hours. I don't know what the dealership's hourly rate is - let's just say it's $100 per hour - that's $840 labor. How much are they charging you for new rotors and pads?
As far as plugs, at 62K miles - I would change the plugs. Yes they are supposed to last 100K, but reality is I would change the plugs.
We use NGK TR55's - they cost about $3 apiece. GM Hot Wires (red) are about $80.
Alldata which is the flat rate book most places use calls for 2.1 hours on the plugs, wires are 2.5 hours. Brake pads and rotor replacement is about 3.8 hours. I don't know what the dealership's hourly rate is - let's just say it's $100 per hour - that's $840 labor. How much are they charging you for new rotors and pads?
If you want to do it right. You should definitely replace the rotors and pads if neither have ever been touched. Not sure about the tune up but since the age of the car is almost 10 years old it isn't a bad idea. If you don't want to spend the money now you don't have to. You should shop around and be able to find someone that will do it alot cheaper than the dealership.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 887
Likes: 8
From: North Plainfield New Jersey
If you don't feel comfortable with handling these tasks yourself, you could order all those parts from Gene Culley for my estimated $500 (the battery from a store of course) and then bring it to a local performance shop (preferably one that does lots of vette work) and they could probably do it for you for WAY less than the 2,000 quoted to you.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I never in my life heard of replacing rotors with a pad replacement.
If they are bad you can turn them, if they aren't put pads on and drive away.
I suppose they would tell you to replace the windshield when you replace wiper blades.
If they are bad you can turn them, if they aren't put pads on and drive away.
I suppose they would tell you to replace the windshield when you replace wiper blades.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
$2000 is very high for just brakes and plugs/wires. Are you sure there isn't something you have missed.
According to Alldata:
Parts:
Front Rotors: $92x2= $184
Front Pads: $143
Rear Rotors: $92x2= $184
Rear Pads: $102
Total Parts Cost: $613
Labor:
Replace Front Pads: 1.4hr
Replace Front Rotor (one side): 0.2hr X2= 0.4hr
Replace Rear Pads: 1.4hr
Replace Rear Rotor (one side): 0.2hr X2= 0.4hr
Total Labor Time: 3.6hr@ $85 per hour (average labor rate)= $306.
Total brake job= $919 parts and labor. Don't forget to add tax.
So that $1000 to change spark plugs and wires.
Alldate shows 2.1 hours time to replace plugs. Plugs shouldn't cost more than $70 at GM list. $250 should cover spark plug replacement. No reason to change the wires at this point.
According to Alldata:
Parts:
Front Rotors: $92x2= $184
Front Pads: $143
Rear Rotors: $92x2= $184
Rear Pads: $102
Total Parts Cost: $613
Labor:
Replace Front Pads: 1.4hr
Replace Front Rotor (one side): 0.2hr X2= 0.4hr
Replace Rear Pads: 1.4hr
Replace Rear Rotor (one side): 0.2hr X2= 0.4hr
Total Labor Time: 3.6hr@ $85 per hour (average labor rate)= $306.
Total brake job= $919 parts and labor. Don't forget to add tax.
So that $1000 to change spark plugs and wires.
Alldate shows 2.1 hours time to replace plugs. Plugs shouldn't cost more than $70 at GM list. $250 should cover spark plug replacement. No reason to change the wires at this point.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 1
From: Eureka California
When you buy a C5 you'd better figure on working on it yourself, unless you're rolling in cash. These little gems are expensive to drive. Most all maintenance is pretty easy if you have the proper tools. Not only that but it's fun and it brings you closer to your car and it's little idiosyncrosies.