Car Brake Pads and Rotors Replacement for 2020 Renault Koleos

I have a Renault Koleos that I have for big service yesterday. During the servicing they called and told me I need to get the front brake pads replaced now or within 2000km of city driving. If I want to do it now, it would cost $900. I told them I will get it later to see if I can get a good price for them.

Now, my request to OzBargain community is to suggest the economical way to do it. I already spent $1100 for the big service. Is there a way to replace the brake pads from some other mechanic without breaking the warranty? Do you know of any places in Western Sydney or around where I can get it done cheaper?

Thank you

UPDATE:

I just checked the report. It is not just brake pads but also rotors.

Comments

  • I already spent $1100 for the big service

    Pickle me grandmother!!!!

    • Pickle me grandmother!!!!

      Same price if you supply the drum.

  • $900 for brakes which help stop your car to save your life: Get farked absolutely not

    $1,500 for an iphone: Take my money!

  • +1

    Don’t DIY unless you really know what you are doing.
    I was a Koleos owner for 12 yrs. Enjoyed it.
    At 40k service dealer called and said new pads and rotors needed, quoted high price. I said no, got a quote half that, from a recommended Frenchie mechanic from Renault forum (Melbourne). Dropped it off, he called me 10 minutes later - they don’t need doing, plenty of life left, no charge. Used him for service after that, and it was 3 yrs 30k kms before he said you’ll need to do them in next 10k km.
    Check out Renault or Xtrail forums for recommended mechanics near you and get a second opinion.
    Nothing too special or Euro about the Koleos, built in Korea from the Nissan parts bin.

    • Does the Frenchie mechanic still work?

      Would be keen on suggesting for the Koleos owner I know to visit them instead of the stealership for future services…

  • After over 30 years of Roadworthy Inspecting, no one can say '2000klm' to the end of life…..unless it is change the pads NOW. And in that case…. the phone call would have taken a more urgent tone.

    The 'Tell Tales' would be squealing their tiny little heads off before now… do your breaks squeal?

    They are more than likely being excessive optimistic, because they would have said hey bud, 12000k to go on your pads during the last service.
    Yes we can tell how things last if we do each service, as we learn your driving habits seeing the wear and reading the notes we keep. That is what helps us in the workshops look smart when you ask us questions.

    So, get a second opinion - if you need them you have another quote, if not you have more information on life expectancy.

    Then so simples… call/online Repco etc for a parts price; they know the prices…. most here do not.

    • Dam, first time I let spell check in and it spells brake incorrectly. I hate I missed that.

  • You can't machine discs and just replace the pads on a European car. That's why it costs a fortune! Got rid of VW for this very reason.

  • Re the DIY recommendations … Depending on your state, doing repairs like brakes without a tradesperson certificate could actually be an offence.

    E.g. NSW: complex repairs requiring professional skills must be done by licensed tradespeople to ensure compliance with the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines or prosecution.

    • The Act binds motor vehicle repairers. A person is not a motor vehicle repairer if the person carries out repair work … on the person’s own motor vehicle.

  • I don't know about modern European cars, but skimming the rotors is an old scam, going back 50 years. My local service centre said to me, oh, next time you're in we'll have to skim the brake rotors. Riight. Never went back.

  • +2

    People say DIY is dangerous for brake jobs. I hold the opposite opinion. Because we DIYers are so conscious of safety due to our not being "professional":, at least for me, I always triple check what I do, down to the amount of torque I apply to each bolt and nut, and the amount of loctite I apply to every single bolt and screw.

    I've been maintaining two cars for several years, and buying the best parts I can afford and have never had any issues.

    The amount charged by dealers is absolutely disgusting.

  • -1

    If the rotors aren't warped/pulsating and still have a decent thickness just put new pads on.

    • never do this! Brake pads will not have 100 percent surface area on rotor surface. You can reduce the touching area by 50 percent. Either resurface disc if there is suitable thickness after measuring or replace rotors.

      • It's fine if the surface is ok and not lipped. The new pads will wear in pretty quick, just give the rotors a quick going over with emery. It's a judgement call however and most mechanics won't do it because they'd rather charge the customer more for new rotors/machining than risk a comeback.

        • rubbish. emery will do stuff all. This is basic stuff that mechanics learn. It is not a judgement call. When brakes are done, rotors should be measured every time, and replaced when at the minimum in any area. Surfaces should be honed or machined if the thickness is ok and cleaned. The slides etc should be inspected and greased. The hoses should be checked for cracks and replaced. Wheel bearings should be inspected, repacked and tightened. Brake fluid should be checked for moisture content and replaced and bled if needed. Anyone who just slaps on a set of pads is a fool and is risking themselves and other road users. If a mechanic did this they would be opening themselves up to a lawsuit. Manufacturers specify what should be done when brakes are changed, and if there was an accident that resulted in a fatality, the court would have grounds to lay charges against anyone who failed to properly fit essential safety equipment. Even a 5% reduction in brake performance is not acceptable.

          • @thesilverstarman: Manufacturers specify a bunch of checks such as runout, disc thickness variation, depth of groves etc. If it passes you can just put new pads on. Machining down a rotor is stupid as it losses mass and can't absorb as much heat. BTW most wheel bearings in the last few decades are of the sealed for life variety and can't be regreased or adjusted. They now last longer as a lot of people would stuff up the cleaning, regreasing and adjustment.

  • Owned a few Clios and Megane RS models. Currently own 2010 Clio 200 and a 2017 Megane GT. I love my french cars. Especially RS cars.

    Word of advice. Be very careful with your selection of rotors if going aftermarket. I have had issues with the cheaper rotors not working due to ABS not seeing the ABS ring (the RDA rotors i got from automotive superstore had to update their listing after my feedback from.my mechanic). There is also a very little selection of aftermarket rotors due to the rotors having inner diameter bearings.

    Advise for you to go with a DBA rotor if going aftermarket. As those were fine. Otherwise. Stick with OEM.

  • +1

    Brembo, they are one of the best and interestingly cheap, pads and rotors.

    https://www.bremboparts.com/asiapacific/en

    Also try the new Ceramic NAO pads, they're fantastic. Put them on my daily and tracked them even, no problems. Replaced a mate's mini full rotors and pads, huge difference and fraction of OEM, $600 all up vs $3.5K from BMW. Progressive streetable setup, added bonus little to no dust.

  • Always done it myself since my first car at 18. It's pretty straightforward, but I don't have warranty to think about.

  • I've done mine before for about $250~ and about 45 mins of time.

    Just follow the maintenance guide.

    https://www.rkoleos.com/331/front_brake_calliper_removal_ref…
    https://www.rkoleos.com/333/front_brake_calliper_mounting_re…
    https://www.rkoleos.com/335/front_brake_disc_removal_refitti…

    Parts needed

    Rotors are "soft" apparently; I assume this is for better friction, and 2mm is the OEM wear limit.

    Bendix Brake Grease - $15
    Bendix Brake Cleaner- $20

    Front REMSA 1318.22 $67.42
    Fitting Position: Front Axle
    Thickness [mm]: 17

    DBA Brake Rotor DBA2620E $141.56
    Thickness [mm] 26
    Minimum Thickness [mm] 24

  • The first thing I'd do is get an independent assessment. Dealers are notorious for pulling the trigger early.

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