cost of brake discs ?

[jamestay1]

my 1.2 fabia has just passed it MOT but the dealer said the front discs will need changing soon.the lady quoted £180.this seems quite a bit to me.

how much would a back street garage do it for ?

thanks

[seboni121]

my 1.2 fabia has just passed it MOT but the dealer said the front discs will need changing soon.the lady quoted £180.this seems quite a bit to me.

how much would a back street garage do it for ?

thanks

Buy the discs from a good source and really get oem and then get someone with some experience and you'll get them done for 1/2 that price, check eBay for discs

Edited 24 November, 2011 by seboni121

[awfabia]

What do they make the Fabia discs out of? Cardboard? My '57 Fabia hasn't done 40,000 miles yet and I drive gently but I anticipate an 'advisory' at next month's MoT that the front discs are worn, they have a distinct lip at the edge.

Anyone else agree that this is very early in a car's life to be changing discs?

Would 'pattern' discs from a motor factor be likely to last for less miles than original Skoda parts?

Say, Brembo or similar would be worth paying extra for as wouldn't have to replace so soon next time.

[seboni121]

It depends how you drive, if you tend too drive like a wombat then your brakes will suffer if you read the road properly you'll use your discs less, on eBay £40 for ok ones and just a little more for brembo that's for 2 the rears are the same price but drums will be cheaper, also depends on model / spec, £180 for just the fronts are a rip off .

[raisbeck]

Fabia Mk1 1.4 MPI new discs at 98,000 miles

Fabia Mk1 HTP 1.2 Sold at 94,000 miles on original disks

My Greenline 1 now at 38,000 miles looking ok but still quite 'lipped'. No advisory yet. These discs corrode very quickly compared to Mk1 Fabias we have/had.

The discs fitted to the 1.4 MPI arent VAG discs. I could dig out the receipt but its buried somewhere. So far no appreciable wear and more importantly they dont corrode. No warping at all.

When my GL discs wear out I wont be putting on VAG discs....I question the quality of the new discs put on later models.MY GL1 discs already are very slightly warped, not enough to worry about but its noticeable.

[seboni121]

Fabia Mk1 1.4 MPI new discs at 98,000 miles

Fabia Mk1 HTP 1.2 Sold at 94,000 miles on original disks

My Greenline 1 now at 38,000 miles looking ok but still quite 'lipped'. No advisory yet. These discs corrode very quickly compared to Mk1 Fabias we have/had.

The discs fitted to the 1.4 MPI arent VAG discs. I could dig out the receipt but its buried somewhere. So far no appreciable wear and more importantly they dont corrode. No warping at all.

When my GL discs wear out I wont be putting on VAG

discs....I question the quality of the new discs put on later models.MY GL1 discs already are very slightly warped, not enough to worry about but its noticeable.

Warping is down to driving too hard when new and riding them rather than using engine braking, I will only use OEM but would use brembo or another high end manufacturer, cheaper ones will fade just when you need them, not a good cenario :( I remember a young lad fitted some discs on his car didn't spend a lot, brakes faded and failed mounted a roundabout and crashed into a car on the other side, luckily no one died but shows you how bad some of these non OEM's are

[raisbeck]

Warping is down to driving too hard when new and riding them rather than using engine braking

Absolute rubbish.... :no:

I am not saying that not one cause of warping discs but if you had taken in the entire text of my posting you would see how wrong your diagnosis is. I have had two Fabias before, no warping AT ALL and a very long life. I drive sensibly, in fact a lot more sensibly than I used to. I have also had disks warp very badly on a previous car due to a manufacturing fault in the disks. Your not talking to a lead footed youth who has aspirations of being an F1 driver.

Lets keep this a bit more factual rather than denigrate a fellow Briskodians driving ability...

Fact is that some manufacturers produce disks of superior quality to the standard VAG fit. Its no different to people who upgrade their cars witn performance items from respected specialists. Suspension,wheels, engine, brakes.......just because something is made by VAG doesnt mean its superior.

[the mad monk]

i got 68k and over 7 years on my mk1, still on the original pads too. i used to get paranoid at service time and ask are you sure the brakes are still ok

i do agree you have to bed brakes discs and pads but only for a few 100 miles then they should just do there job.

buy what the garage you getting to do the job would fit to their own, after all if theres any issue thats where your gonna head to first

[seboni121]

Absolute rubbish.... :no:

I am not saying that not one cause of warping discs but if you had taken in the entire text of my posting you would see how wrong your diagnosis is. I have had two Fabias before, no warping AT ALL and a very long life. I drive sensibly, in

fact a lot more sensibly than I used to. I have also had disks warp very badly on a previous car due to a manufacturing fault in the disks. Your not talking to a lead footed youth who has aspirations of being an F1 driver.

Lets keep this a bit more factual rather than denigrate a

fellow Briskodians driving ability...

Fact is that some manufacturers produce disks of superior quality to the standard VAG fit. Its no different to people who upgrade their cars witn performance items from respected specialists. Suspension,wheels, engine, brakes.......just

because something is made by VAG doesnt mean its superior.

Wow phew sharp intake of breath I didn't say anything about anyone's driving c@k or otherwise, as mad monk said bedding in!! And riding the breaks on a down hill stage will put a load of heat and friction rather than taking engine down a couple of gears, rubbish I think not ! , as for the brake discs being faulty yeah I'd agree with that, although non OEM would have the same problem even more so maybe, the higher end manufacturers like brembo or similar are the ones I would be fitting if not OEM I've tried other makes and some of the quality control are dire, thickness not matching and just poor, there ate several reasons for warping but generally it's too much heat and friction going into the discs too early in the life of the product, Oh and not necessarily boy racers but folks generally sitting on the brakes for long periods and not letting discs cool , I hope this clarifies my position and I would never slag of the driving ability of a fellow briskodian honestly !!

[seboni121]

Oh and I've had 9 skodas previously but that doesn't make me an expert

[jamestay1]

my car has done only 23,000 miles but it was a hire car for the 1st 12 months of it's life,so i guess thats why.

[radfordln]

If it helps I've just had discs and pads done on a 07 1.4TDI hatchback that has done 67630 miles. The need to have them done was identified when I had the tyres changes and they were apparently below 3mm.

Quote from Skoda garage (who are normally a very good price for servicing) was £220. Paid £181 at independent place.

Word of warning that the wrong discs were supplied at the first attempt as the supplier listed only one part for the Fabia so it wasn't until they started the work that the supplied part was the wrong one. Quickly sorted so not a major problem but could be if you're trying to obtain your own parts.

[Lee]

My MK1 vRS needed new rear discs & pads at around two years due to, apparently, UNDER use.

When I sold it ahead of the MK2 the front discs and pads were still original so go figure?

[delta925]

With changes in brake pad materials the discs now wear more than they used to so normal to have to change both rather than just the pads.

I know two people who had new discs fitted by different small independent garages only for them to warp so they had brake vibration needing premature replacement. Hence if you don't go for OEM parts even if fitted by an independent be sure they are a reputable major brand.

[SlowBloke]

Sorry if I am treading on anyone's toes here.

I have fitted EBC Greenstuff pads to my last 3 cars and am very pleased with them.

First of all, the pads don't wear the disks at anything like the same rate as the standard pads. So the disks last forever and there is very little black dust on the wheels.

The Greenstuff pads work very well once they are warm. They can let you down after the car has been standing in the rain all night. The thin film of rust lubricates the brakes so they aren't good until used. So I always brake on the first bit of driving - from 5mph.

You can order the pads over the internet from here:-

http://www.ebcbrakesdirect.com/

Please note that there are two types of pads because Skoda fit ATE or Lucas/Girling callipers. They use different shaped pads so check the callipers on your car before ordering.

SB

[paulemillar]

I had a service and timing belt done at Audi dealer recently on my wife's A3, 75k, £610. (which I had to haggle them down to, from £670). During service phoned me as it needed new rear discs and pads, front pads, brake fluid(although they changed it 12 months and 12k miles ago) . Decided to do rear pads, discs and brake fluid,Audi quoted £300. I bought the OEM parts from Lincoln Audi via eBay for £111, and paid local independent garage £55 labour. The local guy was angry, said he would have supplied and fitted for £110, albeit not Audi parts.

[logiclee]

Warping is down to driving too hard when new and riding them rather than using engine braking, I will only use OEM but would use brembo or another high end manufacturer, cheaper ones will fade just when you need them, not a good cenario :( I remember a young lad fitted some discs on his car didn't spend a lot, brakes faded and failed mounted a roundabout and crashed into a car on the other side, luckily no one died but shows you how bad some of these non OEM's are

Driving too hard when new?

Brembo actually recomend getting new pads and discs upto maximum operating temperature within the first 50 miles to prevent glazing. I had Ferodo DS3000 pads and Brembo group N discs fitted at TSL Motorsport in Nottingham. The owner drove my car out the garage and carried out several emergency stops from high speeds then continued to ride the brakes until he was happy with the hot blue purple colour the bell of the disc had turned.

In the days of Sierra's and Granada's the main cause of warping was said to be getting the discs hot then sitting at the lights with the foot brake pressed. This would lead to the disc cooling at different rates and warping.

Modern technology means warping is a thing of the past mostly, even on auromatics that dont use engine braking.

Unfortunately modern means the lack of asbestos in brake pads, the higher metal content in new pads wear the disc quicker. I always change front pads and discs together.

Any CE rated brake component should offer 95% of tbe performance of the oem equipment. Don't believe that myself but that is the EU directive.

Brakes and tyres I always try and buy the best available.

Cheers

Lee

[Steve Wood]

my car has done only 23,000 miles but it was a hire car for the 1st 12 months of it's life,so i guess thats why.

Ah the perils of ex hire cars. My Fabia SE Estate 1.6 TDI has just had its 20k service and needs new brake discs and pads

I bought it a year ago and it had 14k on the clock in 7 months, so I think that's where the damage was done with mine, too.

[Steve Wood]

In addition, the guy at the garage said it's quite common for this to happen on cars which aren't driven longer distances regularly as the corrosion builds up more - not sure how valid that is.

[Guest]

Yep, Lee is right about the warping mainly being caused by drivers keeping their foot on the brake after stopping at lights, junctions etc instead of applying the handbrake. The pads are super hot, especially after stopping fairly quickly even from 30-40mph and that heat is transferred to the disc in one spot. The pads are hotter than the disc and this allows the disc to cool unevenly as Lee says.

[strawman]

Just about to have new discs fitted, front and rear to my 54 plate 1.9Tdi, just shy of 70k miles. Local garage quoted £220, which after reading the thread, doesn't seem too bad. I'm pretty light on the brakes and the problem with the discs is corrosion, which I suppose shouldn't surprise me given vehicle's age and mileage. Can't recommend this site enough - any problem you have, there's a Briskodian who knows a solution!!

[Hearny]

Mine needed new ones at 35K. Did them myself with disc and pads from euro car parts. I have now done 10k on them and they are still going well.

I paid less than £100 for the parts so I guess if I get 35K from these its been a good deal.

[2ndskoda]

Warping is down to driving too hard when new and riding them rather than using engine braking, I will only use OEM but would use brembo or another high end manufacturer, cheaper ones will fade just when you need them, not a good cenario I remember a young lad fitted some discs on his car didn't spend a lot, brakes faded and failed mounted a roundabout and crashed into a car on the other side, luckily no one died but shows you how bad some of these non OEM's are

Make up your mind!!! I will only use oem, but will use etc - surely a contradiction??

As to brake fade, are you confusing disks with brake pads? - it is usually the pad material that decides when brake fade occurs / against a given heat. Years ago many fitted 'hard linings' in the false belief that this was a good move. You HAVE to generate heat to allow the material to provide the best retardation standards.

Edited 22 February, 2012 by 2ndskoda

[VWD]

Some garages love their advisories. My little one has had advisories on the fronts for years. First one was in 2006, at two year old( no idea why it was taken for an MOT at two year old ,but ,what,and at 14k) . Then after a few more, and at pad change time at 55k , I decided to mike the discs . Haynes recommends at three spots. I used a lot more - all came back at 20.5 - (half way between 19min,and 22 new) . So, when tester issued advisory ,I'de proof of disc state . The look on tester's face was a picture .

I've never had discs wear out. And I'd suggest that if my discs are only half worn after approx 40k of my driving, I've nothing to worry about ,til I hit the 90k thing.

To my mind ,brakes are a thing of last resort . A thing called COAST, negates the need for violent action.

( And for those looking blank at "COAST" - try a google on Safespeed forums , and then COAST - a thing written by a retired Durham Traffic seniour traffic police officer) .

Edited 22 February, 2012 by VWD