Been buying brake pads and brake disc (rotors) lately for my Lexus and my wife's BMW - learnt quite a bit and thought I should note this down for future reference. Here are some random things I learnt from this rather 'painful ordeal':
1. Do you have to change disc rotors often?
From past experience, you probably only change the disc rotors after changing the brake pads 3-4 times. Generally, disc rotors lasts for a while. Of course, entirely dependent on how you drive but you generally do not need to change the disc rotor each time you change your brake pads
2. How much does a Disc Rotor cost? Brake Pads?
Depending on cars, for mercedes, a Disc Rotor cost about $85 (from Golden Link Auto - Stockists for Mercedes) per side. And about $130 for a pair of brake pads (front pads are typically more expensive than rear pads). Plus a sensor ($6), you are looking at a cost of about S$438 (as of Jun 2013) just for the parts.
3. What about manpower cost?
It depends on the place you change. It can range from as low as $60 to as high as about $120. Have seen both extremes. If you are willing to bring your car across the border, you can probably get away with getting it done for about MYR$120 (~S$50). However, if you want to save time, you can pretty much get it done in Singapore for a very reasonable price.
SPC Balestier for instance, can get it done for $60. The important thing is to call them during their lull period i.e. they are free anyhow, so they will be more than glad to get it done for you rather than staying idle. If they refuse to give you $60, just call the next SPC Speedycare.
I got mine done (front and rear brake pads) + front disc rotors for about $90 at Zen Auto (30 Kaki Bukit Ave 3). Highly recommended. The team is rather professional and the cars (mostly mercedes and BMWs) gave me quite a bit of comfort too.
4. Tips on how you should go about the entire changing of disc rotors:
1. Do you have to change disc rotors often?
From past experience, you probably only change the disc rotors after changing the brake pads 3-4 times. Generally, disc rotors lasts for a while. Of course, entirely dependent on how you drive but you generally do not need to change the disc rotor each time you change your brake pads
2. How much does a Disc Rotor cost? Brake Pads?
Depending on cars, for mercedes, a Disc Rotor cost about $85 (from Golden Link Auto - Stockists for Mercedes) per side. And about $130 for a pair of brake pads (front pads are typically more expensive than rear pads). Plus a sensor ($6), you are looking at a cost of about S$438 (as of Jun 2013) just for the parts.
3. What about manpower cost?
It depends on the place you change. It can range from as low as $60 to as high as about $120. Have seen both extremes. If you are willing to bring your car across the border, you can probably get away with getting it done for about MYR$120 (~S$50). However, if you want to save time, you can pretty much get it done in Singapore for a very reasonable price.
SPC Balestier for instance, can get it done for $60. The important thing is to call them during their lull period i.e. they are free anyhow, so they will be more than glad to get it done for you rather than staying idle. If they refuse to give you $60, just call the next SPC Speedycare.
I got mine done (front and rear brake pads) + front disc rotors for about $90 at Zen Auto (30 Kaki Bukit Ave 3). Highly recommended. The team is rather professional and the cars (mostly mercedes and BMWs) gave me quite a bit of comfort too.
4. Tips on how you should go about the entire changing of disc rotors:
- Find out if your disc rotor is single wall, or double wall. The thickness of the disc rotor matters i.e. the size. And the least you can do at least visually, without taking the disc rotor out, is to visually check the wall of your disc rotor. A rotor that is too thick will not fit into the calliper of the car
- Get hold of your chasis number, forget about number plate, that is entirely inaccurate. The chasis number will give the stockist a better idea of which parts you really need
- Agree on a price before allowing the mechanic to touch the car. They tend to work on the car before the price is even negotiated. Remember, if the price is not correct, just walk!
- After getting your parts, bring it to a mechanic of your choice. One thing to note is that most brand new disc rotors come 'waxed' i.e. a thin layer of gray paint light material will cover the entire disc rotor. But some mechanics will tend to shave that wax off before even taking the wheel down to test if the disc rotors can fit the car! Take note, this is extremely wrong, because:
- The wax doesn't need to be removed, the brake bad will get rid of the wax after some driving
- In the event that the wax is worn/shaved off, it can't be exchanged/refund with the stockist - which means you would have wasted monies buying the disc rotors!
- In short summary do this;
- Buy the parts from the stockist
- Find a good mechanic online (after reading reviews)
- Agree on a price before allowing them to jack the car
- If they attempt to take the wax off, tell them not to politely
- If the part doesn't fit, take note of the number on the Disc rotor (on Mercedes, it will be something like W169 412 00 12) and go back to the stockist with the part in its original condition
- Test the brakes by driving and stopping around.
- Drive back home happily :)
