£500 approx for front & rear brakes

[Zipp]

Hi all, first of all thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this!

Just left in my three year old mini One to get brakes fitted after warning light came on. I've been told it will definitely need front pads & discs and hopefully just pads on back. They have estimated the work at an eye watering £500.

Neither me or my beloved husband have the first clue how to replace these as suggested in other threads so I am at the mercy of the garages.

Just wondered if anyone could advice if this sounds like a fair enough price for BMW parts at an approved garage or are they taking advantage?!

Thank you.

[jasper_oxford]

Zipp

I just registered with the site today. However I find your thread quite interesting and take the opportunity to reply.

In my opinion, £500 for a full disc & pad set is a little on the pricey side, but is a typical price you'd expect from a 'posh' main dealership. If I am understanding your post correctly, I assume £500 does not include rear discs.

The job is not difficult and is certainly not labour intensive. A good mechanic will do this job quite quickly, in-fact it could even be a while-u-wait service. Though if you don't fancy attempting it yourself, I think a more reasonable price might be, say; £250.

Traditional tyre outfits now also specialise in brakes, I do not envisage these guys charging you £500.

You may be able to find a mobile mechanic who will visit your home and do the job, such people will also give you a quote over the phone.......but hire one ONLY on good recommendation. Not that there's generally anything wrong with these guys, just it's like all tradesmen these days: if you get a good one hang on to him. Some of these guys can be very good, and don't have a boss chewing at their backside which makes a big difference to attention to detail.
I believe you'd be better off going to a 'multi-service' tyre & brake franchise, there's at least one in every town......or get a home mechanic of good reputation. In either case you shouldn't be paying £500. It's a MINI, not a Jag.

Good luck.

[redlinepete]

£500 is a rip off It would take no more than an hour to do that job........ I Changed mine new disks and pads all round £150.00 for the parts and £70.00 for a local garage to do the job.... I got the disks and pads from here....Great quality next day del.
mini cooper s items - Get great deals on BMW, Rover MG items on eBay.co.uk Shops!

You don't say the model mini you have....If your car is not listed on the web page, ring them they will have the disks for you car.

[jasper_oxford]

Quote: Originally Posted by redlinepete (original)

It would take no more than an hour to do that job........ I Changed mine new disks and pads all round £150.00 for the parts and £70.00 for a local garage to do the job

That compares with the ~£250 I thought would about right.

£500 sounds like a main BMW dealership.

Here's some examples of BMW cash-ins:

Head gasket set - £170 + vat. GSF price £109.

Water pump - £200 + vat exchange. GSF price £80 non exchange.

Simply, there's no need to pay BMW prices.

[Silverado]

I would agree - £500 is very pricey. It's not a difficult job.

[189tsport]

that is very pricy gsf are very good for parts and today found out they are going to start stocking car parts for all makes (well the manchester branch is), also try brakes international they are very good for brake parts,

and as mentioned earlier its not that hard a job to do, if you are going to have a go just remember to pump the pedal before you drive off

[adam_Randell]

You could do the whole job for £300 easy!