Getting brakes replaced..any recommendation?

ninety5teg wrote: ↑ I have a 2007 Mazda 3 GT (5 speed). My rear calipers are seized, and all my rotors will need replacing, they are warped (when I brake especially on highway, the steering wheel shakes and the vibration can be felt on the passenger side).

Having said all that my mechanic I visit did the inspection and quoted me $900 all in, 2 rear calipers, 4 rotors with pads and of course labor.

I have been shopping around, iGarage quote was high and the same for Jimmy from Street Performance, above $1000. I found a shop near my area, Redline Automotive, was quoted $1975 before taxes.

I finally found another shop today that gave me a fair quote (Synkro Automotive Repair, Scarborough):

Front brake pads: $55
front rotors: $65
rear brake pads: $75
rear rotors: $45
install: $110
rear calipers: $205
install calipers: $55
brake flush: $55

Pads: Tovasty (front) and Nismo (rear)
Rotors all around are QBP.

6 months warranty on the work.

Total: $665+ tax

Looking to get the work done with them. Has anyone heard about this shop?

Never heard of this shop but just remember you get what you pay for.

Try b-line mechanic, Billy from tires23 recommends them
Talk to Bruno.

I haven't been there but he treated me well. I do buy my parts from Billy though.

I agree with antigua1999.

bembol wrote: ↑ Try b-line mechanic, Billy from tires23 recommends them
Talk to Bruno.

I haven't been there but he treated me well. I do buy my parts from Billy though.

I agree with antigua1999.

Thanks but looking for someone in the Scarborough area.

Are you sure your calipers are done? They're probably seized because of rust. This can be cleaned off.

The quoted price is for $665+tax is decent considering they're replacing the rear calipers. But if they can just sand them clean and possibly spray them with some high temp paint you'd save yourself a couple hundred dollars.

Theres a bunch of mechanics on Kennedy Rd. on Nantucket. I have a guy I used to go to but started going to another guy in Ajax after getting a newer car. I can PM you his contact to get a quote. You might be able to save even more money if you buy the parts online. But again, you'd have to factor in the caliper situation. Are they really done or are they just dirty?

What abut ordering some premium stuff from rockauto then taking it to the mechanic to install? Probably be cheaper and you will probably get better parts.

JSJ @ warden

ninety5teg wrote: ↑ I have a 2007 Mazda 3 GT (5 speed). My rear calipers are seized, and all my rotors will need replacing, they are warped (when I brake especially on highway, the steering wheel shakes and the vibration can be felt on the passenger side).

Having said all that my mechanic I visit did the inspection and quoted me $900 all in, 2 rear calipers, 4 rotors with pads and of course labor.

I have been shopping around, iGarage quote was high and the same for Jimmy from Street Performance, above $1000. I found a shop near my area, Redline Automotive, was quoted $1975 before taxes.

I finally found another shop today that gave me a fair quote (Synkro Automotive Repair, Scarborough):

Front brake pads: $55
front rotors: $65
rear brake pads: $75
rear rotors: $45
install: $110
rear calipers: $205
install calipers: $55
brake flush: $55

Pads: Tovasty (front) and Nismo (rear)
Rotors all around are QBP.

6 months warranty on the work.

Total: $665+ tax

Looking to get the work done with them. Has anyone heard about this shop?

$665 is a pretty good price actually for having all that replaced including the calipers, but then again on what others have mentioned, it is substantially cheaper than everyone else which raises some questions... most likely they are going to be using the absolute cheapest parts they can find for your vehicle, which in my opinion I would be a bit hesitant about since brakes play such a vital part of the vehicle's safety.

ssjkev16 wrote: ↑ $665 is a pretty good price actually for having all that replaced including the calipers, but then again on what others have mentioned, it is substantially cheaper than everyone else which raises some questions... most likely they are going to be using the absolute cheapest parts they can find for your vehicle, which in my opinion I would be a bit hesitant about since brakes play such a vital part of the vehicle's safety.

This is what I am hesitating about...

If iGarage and Jimmy is quoting you $900 and some guy is quoting $665. I'd very hesitant.

Seizing rear calipers is a known thing on that vintage of Mazda.

What I'm seeing in the $665 that jumps at me is $110 for the labour. There's 0 chance he's getting it done in just over an hour or even 2 hours ($80/h for a good mechanic maybe he's charging $60)
To properly do that job you need to remove everything, make sure all the sliding surfaces are cleaned (including the hub surface and lubed and that takes time.
The flush is a low ball price @ $55. Usually This is ~$80. When you do a 2 caliper swap it's a slightly longer flush to get the air and usually more fluid (There's just more air to get rid of).

The labour is just super low and I haven't heard of any of those parts company before (Nismo as in Nissan??)
You know usually IGarage and Jimmy are quoting OE or OEM parts because they don't want complaints 6 months later.

Personally I'd rather stick mechanics I trust to get that done right. Where I'd try to save money is RockAuto the parts.

Hi OP, are you me?

I drive a 2007 Mazda 3 also. Had the exact same work done recently, pads + rotors, and rear calipers - I paid $890 all-in.

That $665+tax seems like an amazing deal, their reviews aren't bad either...I'd go for it.

ninety5teg wrote: ↑ I have a 2007 Mazda 3 GT (5 speed). My rear calipers are seized, and all my rotors will need replacing, they are warped (when I brake especially on highway, the steering wheel shakes and the vibration can be felt on the passenger side).

Having said all that my mechanic I visit did the inspection and quoted me $900 all in, 2 rear calipers, 4 rotors with pads and of course labor.

I have been shopping around, iGarage quote was high and the same for Jimmy from Street Performance, above $1000. I found a shop near my area, Redline Automotive, was quoted $1975 before taxes.

I finally found another shop today that gave me a fair quote (Synkro Automotive Repair, Scarborough):

Front brake pads: $55
front rotors: $65
rear brake pads: $75
rear rotors: $45
install: $110
rear calipers: $205
install calipers: $55
brake flush: $55

Pads: Tovasty (front) and Nismo (rear)
Rotors all around are QBP.

6 months warranty on the work.

Total: $665+ tax

Looking to get the work done with them. Has anyone heard about this shop?

How much mileage? Calipers usually last long.

Since i know your a cheapa$$. Buy whatever has a heart on it from rockauto and take it to Raymond at Gilman auto.
Calipers are 80 bucks each from midwest

flamez1000 wrote: ↑Hi OP, are you me?

I drive a 2007 Mazda 3 also. Had the exact same work done recently, pads + rotors, and rear calipers - I paid $890 all-in.

That $665+tax seems like an amazing deal, their reviews aren't bad either...I'd go for it.

Hey,

Lol we have the same problem...being hesitant I might stick with the mechanic I usually go to (Arsens Automotive). Although the quote I got from Synkro their review is pretty good...

Ends67 wrote: ↑ How much mileage? Calipers usually last long.

My car has 247000 KM on it right now

Cheaper doesn't mean anything, are you sure they are the same parts?

Why CAN'T you just get the parts yourself and bring to your mechanics?

what is 2 rows vs 3 row seating? my OEM pads spec says 3 row seating, but found pads with 2 row seating on line saying they fit in the same car nonetheless.

Make sure it's 2 calipers not 1 for $200. And front and rear rotors all comes as 1 each not in pairs.

OP, buy parts from RockAuto and install by yourself. Brake jobs are pretty easy.