Bring car (04 touring) into dealer 4 months ago for 11,5 service and state inspection. Have very good relationship with this dealer and my svc team lead. No issues mentioned.

FF to today. Car ready for 15k svc. Brakes started squeeking yesterday. OK no problem car goes in.

Phone rings. Dealer says pads are so far gone you need rotor too. I ask, how come 4 months ago the car came in with no mention of this? Inspection form sort of has an excellent/good/fair/poor type of rating, brakes were given an excellent. He said, when they go on the z, they go quick - could go from excellent to 2/32 in 4 months?

Keep in mind I have a great relationship with this guy or else I would think something was up.

Does this sound right? Drive 20 miles total a day, half city. No track, no racing. Its not the cost that bothers me, just that I had zero warning.

He did say he talked to the mgr about getting it done under warranty but that was a nogo for whatever reason. Has anyone, can you even, file some sort of separate claim? I'll pick it up and pay for it, its not a big deal financially and I need my car back, its just irritating the hell out of me that's all.

 

48,000 miles and my OEM pads and rotors are in good shape. Brake life is terrible variable. Some members get 10,000 miles while others, like myself, 48,000 miles plus.

If you trust the dealer, then do it. If you are uncertain about the dealer, look at the pads. Measure the rotors.

I like the OEM rotors, but not the OEM pads. To help with brake dust, consider ceramic pads. Best of luck.

 

With the amount of city driving you do (particularly stop-and-go in the DC area), it's possible that you've worn out the pads and damaged the rotors. Within the mileage you've mentioned that does odd. Did the dealer say that BOTH front and rear rotor/pads have to be replaced? Usually the rears go first and the brakes would be screaming at you. I'm assuming you are the first owner of this particular Z.

 

I have 27k miles on my 03 and it's time for me to get new pads. Lots of stop and go traffic and frequent 70mph-to-0mph quick stops at badly spaced and timed traffic lights. My rears are starting to squeel a bit and I need to replace them to kill the brake dust fairy that comes along and coats my wheels at night when I'm asleep.

I called a reputable shop in the area (who several people here have been to and recommended) and they told me that with the OEM Brembos the rotors are a typically one-shot deal and will most likely need to replaced along with the pads. Non-Brembo replacement rotors aren't that expensive but when I heard this I didn't think I was being told the truth.

But perhaps the So Cal traffic/roads take a toll on things more than in other cities?

 

I'm in N.Va as well and I had to replace the front pads at 36,000 miles. From what I've read here, the Z doesn't come with great pads from the factory so it's not unusual for you to need new pads right now. Re: the rotors, at your mileage, I'd be highly suspicious about needing new rotors, I'd definitely get a second opinion on that (I myself did not have to replace the rotors).

Also, I went with ceramic instead of semi-metallic pads and haven't looked back since. They're a little more expensive but brake dust is now a thing of the past and they supposedly perform better as well.

 

your pads might have been so low that it started to put grooves in the rotor. In the summer that also a lot of heat for your brake system. Next brake change after this one I will need new rotors, and im at 46K

 

I was the 2nd owner, got the car in Spring 05 with 4k miles on it.

And yes that is what happened, one side in the front dug a small groove in the rotor. Minor irritant in the grand scheme of things.

Interesting that I was talking to my service rep for a bit and there were a couple other service techs there. Mixed feelings on the ceramic pads. One of the techs indicated they saw more long term wear on rotors as a result of the ceramic pad being harder than a regular pad? No idea if thats right or not.