I have a Citroen Saxo 1.5D - 2001 , with a current recorded mileage of 193,000 km . (Although, I am almost sure , the clock was wound back before I bought it in 2006 at supposedly 89,000 km - within 6 months of buying it I had to replace the alternator and starter motor - and they have a life span of 150,000 km - normally) It's just passed it's annual inspection , with flying colours - although they did comment the fire extinguisher was out of date - it's compulsory here , to have one , while in the UK , I think it is not . I average about 10,000 km a year - I am a careful driver ,I don't drive or brake hard , my days as a boy racer - are, but a distant memory . (Back in the day - it was a Mark 1 Cortina - a beast and a half, compared to a Saxo )
My front brake pads and rotors - were replaced 5 years ago - and so far I have had 51,000 km out of them , the right side (passenger side - LHD ) are almost in mint condition - some wear yes , obviously - but not enough to warrant a replacement . The left hand side however - the inner pad is slightly more worn than the ones on the right side , and the outer pad is a lot more worn - at a guess I would say there is 3.5 mm . remaining of the abrasive pad - and at a guess if I don't do anything - I could probably get away with it for another year . Neither front wheel is binding , although the right side is slightly more difficult to rotate than the left side - when the wheels are off, and it's jacked up. And as previously noted - it passed the inspection without problem - so I don't think there is any problem with the calipers .
Now the obvious answer is to change the pads - the quote from my Citroen mechanic - who is very good , but presses heavily with the pen - when writing invoices , was that new pads would be 47.19 euros a set(2), and the labour to clean the calipers, and put them on would be 54.55 euros/hr ( not incl.BTW/VAT @23% ) So therefore - I could expect a invoice for at least, 183.18 incl. BTW/VAT @23%. in reality probably more .
Now you can consider me cheap if you want - but my little Saxo , has a value of about 500 euros , due to it's age and mileage . While I want it to last as long as possible - I don't want to be spending large sums of money on it .
The problem with garages, they quote you list price for parts - while I appreciate they have to make a living - I don't believe I should be robbed . And if you turn up with your own parts - invariably you are impolitely, told, to go away .
The exact same brake pads my mechanic quoted me - I can buy for 22.66 (x2) incl BTW/VAT and delivery - link
http://www.mister-auto.be/fl/remblok...5P!61!044.html
That is quite a mark up !
Now - what I was thinking of doing , was stopping by my local to me scrapyard - and seeing if I could find a set of used brake pads - and just replacing the left side - providing I can find brake pads of the same configuration .
Question - Has anyone done this - and how did that work out for you ?
Front Brake Pads
Linear Mode
