New Rotors + Pads + Install = $400-600??

[Kristeun]

Had my mechanic give me an estimate today and was quoted $400-600. Is this a reasonable price? I can't really afford anything above 500 right now and if it comes to that I was thinking I would do it myself.

Have very little mechanical knowledge but have a Bentley manual and am willing to learn. What do you guys recommend? Is it a hard job for a newb? Saving a few hundred and just ordering a BMA kit sounds tempting right now.

[george graves]

Rotor and pads are easy. And you might shop around, BMA might not have the lowest price.

The only sticky part of it is the rotor retainer screw. It can rust and get stuck.

[markseven]

For me, the OP Parts rotors from BMA are the best bang for the proverbial buck. They have been through 6 HPDE's so far and and are wearing well. Free shipping and 3% r3v discount, too.

[atomic]

If you do the brake job on your own, one thing I would suggest is to take the new rotors to a shop to have them turned. You would be amazed at how bad a new set of rotors will be and the resurfacing will make them even that much better...

:up:

[Kristeun]

^How much will that cost? If I do it myself I wanna spend as little as possible.

And makrseven you got the flat rotors right?

And do I need anything else besides rotors/pads/sensors? I remember reading Id need to replace some self locking bolt or something?

Sry for all the questions.

[atomic]

^How much will that cost? If I do it myself I wanna spend as little as possible.

And makrseven you got the flat rotors right?

And do I need anything else besides rotors/pads/sensors? I remember reading Id need to replace some self locking bolt or something?

Sry for all the questions.

I think I paid $50-75 bucks last summer to have that done before installing my new brakes. The process takes roughly about an hour from a reputable shop to do.

I would also get new rotor retaining screws (very cheap)...

[e34john]

You will be able to do it yourself, I did mine when I first got my car and the only other thing I ever did is oil changes along with the air filter. There is a nice writeup with pictures on Pelican's website.

[Kristeun]

I would also get new rotor retaining screws (very cheap)...

K I need four of those right? And in the Bentley it says I need new mounting bolts that thread into the guide pins? Is this necessary?

Thanks everyone for the help!

[accident]

I recently did my pads, and I reused the guide pin bolts. It was easy, though the bolts that hold the pad carrier on may be a bitch to get off. The caliper itself is easy to get off though. Two 7mm hex bolts and the caliper pops right off.

[madformx5]

I am new to the e30's but I have done a lot of break jobs and someone charging you six hundred dollars to do a brake job is ripping you off. Hell, I may be cheap but 400 sounds like a rip off to me too. Do it yourself and save a boatload of money.

[accident]

I am new to the e30's but I have done a lot of break jobs and someone charging you six hundred dollars to do a brake job is ripping you off. Hell, I may be cheap but 400 sounds like a rip off to me too. Do it yourself and save a boatload of money.

Or if you really want to, pay for my gas and buy me lunch and I'll do it. ;)

[neighborhood]

I think I paid $50-75 bucks last summer to have that done before installing my new brakes. The process takes roughly about an hour from a reputable shop to do.

Damn you got raped! Napa will do it for around 10 to 15 bucks for both of them.

[twothrees]

All you need is the right tools and the desire to do it. It may sound intimidating to the new DIY'er, but brakes are easy. Read as much as you can on how to do it, then have all the right parts on hand when you start.

I just installed front brakes on my e46 over the T'giving weekend. It is very satisfying to know you did the job yourself and save $$$ too.

Have fun

[JGood]

Yes, do your own brakes. Get a Bentley and you can't mess it up.

I do them every weekend at the track, in probably 5 minutes per side. To me, it's quicker/easier then changing oil.

[markseven]

^How much will that cost? If I do it myself I wanna spend as little as possible.

And makrseven you got the flat rotors right?

And do I need anything else besides rotors/pads/sensors? I remember reading Id need to replace some self locking bolt or something?

Sry for all the questions.

Yup, just the standard blanks.