Ever heard of soft-metal brake rotors?
Asked by
robmandu (
21331
)
April 19th, 2008
I try to keep on automotive tech from the consumer perspective… but this one I missed. Buddy o’ mine bought a Land Rover LR3 (used). Got some brake maint done and was informed that the brake rotors in Rovers are made of a softer metal that wears down along with the brake pads. So, for what I’d consider normal brake pad replacement operations, he’s looking at always having to replace the soft-metal rotors too each time. That’s about US$2,200 each go ‘round.
Apparently the same is true on higher-level BMWs and maybe other European imports.
Is this a manufacturer strategy of planned obsolescence? Or is this just a rip-off perpetrated by the repair shop?
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5 Answers
That’s a lot for rotors.. I have a Euro and I pay about $400ish for pads/rotors/service.. Maybe try another shop?
And isn’t the Land Rover company owned by Ford nowadays?
I’ve never heard of “soft metal” brake rotors and neither has google. Here’s what I’m seeing as far as pricing out a brake job on an LR3:
Front Brake Pad Set Part # SFP 500010 -$107.69
Front Sensor Part # SEM000024 -$18.31
Front Rotors Each Part # SDB 000614 -$73.54ea
If his low-pad indicator (sensor) illuminated, he will have to shell out $18 for a new one.
That’s what I thought. Should just be pads (and which best would include turning the rotors)... assuming he didn’t wear ‘em down to the metal, hence damaging the rotors and forcing replacement.
And I can see where @Falls is correct that replacing pads on all 4 corners would run around $400 or so, depending on where the service is performed (LR dealer being the likely most expensive choice… but no way two grand is right).
Now, replacing rotors on any car is indeed an expensive proposition… but unless someone else quips here with info to the contrary, this is smelling like mis-communication at best, or scam at worst.
Also another option would be to buy the replacement parts yourself and install them yourself if you feel comfortable doing so. You can save $80 an hour on labor if you do it this way.
Almost a year old, but noteworthy.
I have a BMW X5 4.4, which has the same wheelbase as some Rovers, and that is complete bull****.
I just had rotors and pads replaced at BMW for a total of $1499
Soft break rotors rofl!
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