Brakes: Cost For Front And Rear?

[DrewsBlues]

Hi. I dropped my 2001 525i at the dealer for warranty-related servicing today and was told I'd need new brakes on the front and rear. The total price they want to charge me is in the neighborhood of $1200, which seems a little steep to me. Is this a "normal" cost for BMW brake service? Is there any reason not to take the car to someone other than the dealer when getting this kind of work done?

I'm no car expert, but I can tell you that I've got the sport package on my car. Might this mean more expensive brake pads, rotors, etc?

Oh. And I'm in Southern California.

Anyway, your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

--
Drew

[LOS]

OUCH!!
Sounds about right if you take it to the dealer...
A small BMW shop is around $700 which includes:
Brake pads- $60 front $55 rear pair
rotors: slotted or drilled: $120 each (cheaper if regular rotors $75)
Brake sensors: $18 pair

These prices are approximately based on a research I did when I replaced my front brakes. As you can see, much of the cost is in the rotors...

I know a shop in Lomita (Southbay) tel:310-326-1034. Good people, excellent work. I recommend them. Good luck and let me know if you need additional info!
By the way, I'm a customer at this shop...
LOS

[maxxym]

Drews,

Same thing happened to me! 01 525i. I had a little shake in my steering wheel so I thought it would be under warranty (35k miles on a car) So I take it out there and they tell me that I need new front rotors, new pads, then he says that my rear brakes are getting there and I should change my rear rotors and rear pads. Total : $1100. Needless to say, I was dumb enough to let them change my front brakes for 500 bucks I kick myself in the ass for doing that. Ah well.. you live and learn I guess..

I went to www.turnermotorsports.com They have set of front rotors for our cars for little over 100 bucks! A PAIR!

Since I will keep my car until it dies, I don't care if the thing is documented in dealers books and stuff. I decided to do EVERYTHING myself from now on. There is no way in hell I will pay these guys 90 bucks an hour for something I can do in my garage and actually enjoy doing it....

Since I been in the same boat before, let me give you an adivce. Either do them yourself, buu the OEM parts from one of the websites, or buy the parts and have some good shop do it for you. Unless you don't care about spending 1200 bucks for a brake job, then drop it off to the dealer.

[k2c69n]

how hard is it to do the brakes yourself? will probably bring to a family mechanic..

[CosmosBlack]

Just changed my four brake pads, sensors, rotors... for $800

[deported]

Just curious, did the $1200 price tag include a brake fluid system flush?
I'm also looking to replace my front pads and rotors and found an independent BMW mechanic. he's gonna do the fronts and flush the brake fluid for about $450 (using OEM BMW parts).
Does anyone out there know if that's a good price?
Thx

[LOS]

Deported,

Good deal if you ask me. If you do break down the numbers, it comes down to $225 in parts and $225 in labor. Go for it since he's including the brake flush in the quote.

LOS