The local dealership quoted 600 dollars for a brake job. (2004 G35x)
I had my girlfriend drop the car off at the dealership and this is what they
gave her.

They said on that model car that the rotors are too thin and they need to be
replaced every time new brakes are done. Is this correct? I called them
and put a hold on the brake job until I get further clarification. Funny
thing is, they quoted me a price about half of that price the last time I
was in for service. (That's when they told me my pads were thin.)

I'm sure this has probably been asked before, I don't have time to use the
search function, I'm at work and the car is at the dealership waiting.
Appreciate your advice.

 

Search, its so much faster than waiting for someone to answer!!! Its high go to another dealer or even Nissan dealer. I would do it my self and keep the 600 bux I hate dealerships rip off

 

Unfortunately, it is quite common for the front rotors to wear out within 20 to 30K miles which is usually about as long as the front pads last. Our cars, especially the 03/04, have very aggressive pads which eat the rotors. It's the price you pay for exceptional street braking. BMWs and Benz owners face the same issues. $600 for rotors and pads seems high to me, but I'm a DIY guy. The front pads are about $50-60 and each rotor is $90-120 depending on the shop. The entire replacement process for me takes about 30 minutes per side. If it's just pads, it takes about 10 minutes. I'm sure the Nissan shop time for rotors and pads is 2 to 3 hours which is a joke.

Labor $80/hr $240
Rotors $180-240
Pads $50-60
Disposal fee $15

Total: $485-555 plus tax


DIY
OEM rotors or Brembo blanks $150-180
Pads $50

Total: $200-230

You could take all that extra money and buy some nice basic tools like a jack, short and long 10mm-18mm metric sockets and rachet, breaker bar, jack stands, and shop light.

 

Interesting. I'm upgrading to the bigger 05+ brakes for less than his quote.

 

lol

what is involved in doing that ? and what's the difference ? fronts only ?

 

Just passed 60K and about ready to do my breaks, likewise dealer claims the rotors are to thin and must have been resurfaced, but I am the original owner neitherhave ever been touched. Yes they say this long brake life is unheard of in the G.

 

read this guys

it's a thread I posted in the brake section
https://g35driver.com/forums/brakes-suspension/215058-how-many-times-normally-can-you-turn-oem-rotors.html

FYI I just put new pads on the front of my girls G35x and didn't replace the rotors or even have them turned but she was only at 38K miles. I got a set of Hawk pads from everything35.com and put them on my self. Easiest pad change I have ever done. They work perfectly and no more brake dust !

 

I appreciate the comments. I found a Nissan dealership that's going to do them much cheaper.

I still find it strange that a month earlier I get quoted about 350 and next time in 600. The gave my girl this quote without even looking at the car.

 

i am @ 77k miles and on the original rotors (never turned), but i replaced the pads 3 times already.. the rotors look ok to me? am i wrong?

 

i spent a total of $160 cash for my front rotors, hawk pads, AND labor. i had a friend do them for me; used to work for pep boys.

look around, you can always find a better deal then the dealer.

 

They might look like a rotor (round, shiney), but I'm certain at 77K miles, they're too thin and well out of spec. You'll need a micrometer to measure the thickness.

 

Is there a big ridge from the pad wearing the inner portion of the rotor? That might indicate how much the rotor is worn over that much time.

 

yes, there is...

that doesn't necessary mean they need to be replaced correct?
The pads will probably run out again @ 100k or 2 more years, so i'll probably change the set then~

 

No. But that might indicate a measurement is in order. Running the rotors too thin compromises it's ability to absorb/dissapate heat. Thin rotors are also prone to warping.

 

That's why it went up to $600.