KWIK-FIT ok for disc change??

[renault12ts]

i had a car come into my garage that had a service, mot and front pads fitted at a high street chain ( i wont say which one ). it was done the day before it came to me, it had very little oil in it, 2 broken coil springs and the drivers front caliper was loose!

so please aviod at all costs!!

Hard to avoid when you haven't said who they are.

 

[jaymanek]

Is it advisable to change discs and use the "old"'pads???

No it's not really.

 

[jupiter2step]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but the time has now come for the disc change - apparently I need both front and rears. I'm wondering what is a reasonable price is. My indie has quoted £675, which seems on the steep side to me. Can anyone let me know what kind of ballpark figure I should be looking at?

 

[renault12ts]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but the time has now come for the disc change - apparently I need both front and rears. I'm wondering what is a reasonable price is. My indie has quoted £675, which seems on the steep side to me. Can anyone let me know what kind of ballpark figure I should be looking at?

It is steep, very steep. Do a little research on Euro Carparts to find the cost of the parts...then question the cost of the labour.

And even if the fronts need changing, its HIGHLY unlikely the rears need done at the same time since there is little braking done by the rears as compared to the fronts.

How many miles on your car? And have the discs been replaced before?

 

[jupiter2step]

I have had the car around 17 months and have 112k on the clock (54 plate). Unfortunately I don't know if and when they were last done. Last time it was in with the indie I got a report saying both front and rear discs were heavily lipped but he said they would be ok til next service. That time has now come. Local mechanic who looks after my wife's citroen has quoted me £330 for both but he isn't a merc specialist so I'm a bit worried he'll mess up the SBC if I leave it with him. It would be a huge saving though!

 

[moonloops]

I have had the car around 17 months and have 112k on the clock (54 plate). Unfortunately I don't know if and when they were last done. Last time it was in with the indie I got a report saying both front and rear discs were heavily lipped but he said they would be ok til next service. That time has now come. Local mechanic who looks after my wife's citroen has quoted me £330 for both but he isn't a merc specialist so I'm a bit worried he'll mess up the SBC if I leave it with him. It would be a huge saving though!

If he is used to working on citroens then I doubt there would be much to scare him on a merc

 

[grober]

I now this all seems a great expense all at once but what cost good brakes on a heavy car? If you are renewing the rear discs I would seriously consider renewing the little rear handbrake shoes and return springs at the same time- will add little to the labour and parts cost since the disc will be off anyway. Assuming the rear callipers are in good nick you can then forget about the rear brakes for another 40k miles! Your local mechanic is probably as competent as any if he is aware of the SBC issue and the work around! Just make sure he is using decent parts Pagid/ATE to do the job.

 

[Sp!ke]

Can any of the naysayers point to an accident where brakes fitted by Kwik-Fit were a contributory factor? Or is it just fashionable to slag off High Street chains?

They once jacked up an old car of mine up by its floorpan.

It wasnt until after I drove the car away that I noticed a what I initially thought was something under the front passenger mat. Imagine my horror when I pulled back the mat and realised what had happened.

I went immediately back and they denied all responsibility, despite there being imprints of they jack in the underseal.

 

[Doodle]

They're little better at MoTs either.

 

[Automac29]

I had ATS change my front discs and pads about 6 weeks ago on my 1999 CLK320 (W208). Their work was absolutely fine and the improvement in braking was immediate. I would have absolutely no reason not to go back to them again for a similar job. Their total cost for the job was a shade under £200.00.

Why would it not be the same with Kwik Fit? Generally you will get "the feeling" of whether you are dealing with someone who knows what they are about when you first go there. Just avoid being 'sucked in' about needing to change other items unless you are convinced it is really necessary.

Anyway... you always have the Small Claims court to back their warranty!

 

[GP801]

Local MB dealer did front discs and pads on the 124 for £229 all in. Their first quote was £290 so clearly some room for movement. Might be worth asking.

 

[jupiter2step]

I've found another indy who has quoted £410 for front and rears. He uses Brake Engineering Disks and Frodo pads. Are they any good?

 

[moonloops]

I've found another indy who has quoted £410 for front and rears. He uses Brake Engineering Disks and Frodo pads. Are they any good?

He's fitting hobbit pads ?

 

[Alps]

why dont you buy the disks and pads from ECP using the forum 30% off discount and get an indi to fit them..

 

[jupiter2step]

Never thought of that! Using the promo code it looks like I can get Pagid discs and pads all round for £185. Will phone indy in the morning to see what he'll charge for the labour.

 

[npuk]

As was mentioned in the thread earlier your car has SBC and this needs to be disabled to change the brakes so take it to someone who knows what to do.