I took my Z to a dealer other than my regular dealer because I was out of town and I developed a loud brake squeal and I thought it might be serious. The dealer determined that my front brake pads and rotors were really worn and needed to be replaced as soon as possible. They originally quoted me $560 to do the job and that it would be in the shop for 2-3 days. I told the dealership that I would think about it and get back to them. I left my cell number and asked them to call me if they could get my car in by the next morning. They called me up about 2 hours later and told me that they had an opening the next day and that the revised estimate to $499. The friend I was visiting referred me to her mechanic and said that her mechanic might be able to do the job. I took it to my friends mechanic for an estimate. It turns out that he specializes in European performance cars so I'm thinking this is going to be expensive. He takes a look and asks me if I wanted to use Nissan parts or aftermarket parts. He quotes me $425 if I go with the Nissan parts and says that it will take him a day or two to get the parts. He then says that if I went with something called Hawk HPS pad and EBC rotors, that he could do the job for $360 and he can have the parts in an hour and the job done in about 2.5 hrs because he could get the parts from his regular supplier instead of Nissan. He says that the aftermarket pads and rotors would perform better and have less dust than the OEM Nissan parts for less. So I figure that I was getting a great deal going with the mechanic. I got the car back the same day in the time frame he promised and I thought everything was well. I get a call from the dealership and they asked me what I had decided as far getting the brakes repaired. I told them that I got it repaired for $200 less than they originally quoted me and got my car back the same day. They tell me that the mechanic wasn't a Nissan tech. They said he probably just slapped inferior parts on haphazardly. They say that is why he was able to do it so cheaply and quickly. They say I should take my car in to get it inspected which cost $60 to make sure that it was done right and that it would cost extra to fix any problems they find. My friend assures me that the mechanic is on the level and wouldn't risk his reputation with his high end clientle on a slapstick job. The brakes seem to stop better and I do have less brake dust than the original brakes.

The mechanic used Hawk HPS pads and EBC rotors, how inferior are these compared to the OEMs? Did I screw-up taking my car to my friends mechanic? If so, should I take the car back to my regular dealership and have them check it out and redo the pads and rotors with the OEMs?

 

Hawk pads are not bad, pretty aggressive. There is NO need to get it checked up... a brake pad and rotor switch is simple bolt on stuff... anyone can do it. As long as your brakes are fine and there are no squeals, then don't worry about it. I do my own rotor and pad change... and its REALLY simple. I advise u to read up on stuff before taking the car to the dealer so they don't BS you around. Nissan dealers are money sucking ******... $500 for a brake job... god.

 

I believe a monkey could probably do an acceptable brake job. I put EBC rotors and Greenstuff pads on my car with no problem. I didn't need to go a dealer to have the work checked either. I can't believe dealers spread bull like that.

Les

 

With the power of Ebay for parts, a good lift... there really no need to EVER go back to Nissan, except for them damn TSB's

Sully

 

The $60 is Nissan's way of trying to get $$ from you.

I have Hawk HPS pads on my stock rotors and I love em. Low dust, and great on the track.

 

don't trust that dealer BS... they just wanna rip you off

 

Excellent parts, better than stock.

 

Thanks for all the replies. It looks like the other dealership was just trying to rip me off. Made a phone call to my dealership here after I got back and told them that the other dealership suggested I get it inspected. My dealership sort of just asked "Why?". They sort of inferred, without actually saying it, that bringing it in for inspection would be stupid. It looks like they want to stay away from this job because they "recommended" that I get something from the other dealership saying that "in their opinion" I should have this inspection done.

 

I have 25,000 miles on my Z and am starting to notice some vibriation and groaning noise from the brakes at high speed braking. I don't notice any noise at low speeds from the wear indicators. Do I need new pads already? Can the rotors be resurfaced or do I need to replace them already as well?

 

As to your Question--- I own the New Berlin Garage in Marion Tx---I just did a brake job on my 2003 Z that I bought with 15000 miles on it --- It had Vibration that I relized was rotor warpage--I went with the Napa Ceramic Pads in the front and OEM pads in the rear --- Had the rotors turned in order to take out the warp and resurface--- The previous owner was a tad bit hard on the brakes ---EASE UP BOYS AND GIRLS ---Excessive use causes heat --Heat causes warpage ----There is NO pad dust from the Ceramics-(Front brakes do 75% of the work) and they are running perfectly----Also ----Beware of Gorillas putting your rims back on ---Over torqueing causes warpage --- My rule of thumb is 100 LBs FT ---NO MORE --- (Might want to check specs-I didnt)--No Impacts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!By the way ---It cost me about 150.00

 

If you paid them the 60 bucks to check, what do you think the probability of them finding a "problem" is?

My guess is 100%. LOL!

Sounds like you did fine.

 

Just a question here, do you guys go to the dealer to have your car service or do it yourself? what about the service book, who sign for you? >.< If you don't go to the dealer for regular service, will it be affect the BS warranty?

 

You don't have to go to the dealer.

I have my Z serviced by a local shop that has been servicing our cars for years; I have them sign the book & keep paid receipts in the maintenance book.

If doing it yourself, keep your receipts for oil, etc.

 

Your fine...I did my own pads and rotors.

 

Hawk pads have been recommended to me also. Told it really reduced the brake dust. Planning on making that change shortly. Really tired of cleaning the front wheels!

 

Well Like I said ---I just got the Napa Ceramic pads and they work great ---If Im not mistakin the were about 50 bucks --- Good grab and no dust---Good lookin car Car Dude--- By the way ---I need left and right air bags ---Black If yaall know of any give me a holler!!!!!