The dealer said I need new brake rotors because they are all rusted excessively. They are working up a price but you know it will be high. I called advance auto to get a price on 4 rotors and they said $172 total for all 4 rotors. The dealer will be probably $600 or higher just for the rotors themselves without labor added yet. I asked the auto parts guy if the rotors the dealer sells are any better than the ones they sell. The auto parts store guy said they are all the same and come from China so the dealer ones aren't any better.
I need to make a decision on this so can you tell me what the real facts are? I don't want to buy junk rotors and I don't want to let the dealer rip me off either.
Thanks.
Jeff
2004 Sunnybrook 2726 Travel Trailer ( ~7,400 # Loaded, 28' )
2004 GMC Sierra 2500 HD 4 x 4 Crew Cab 8.1 / Allison / 3.73 ( 6,810 # with no passengers )
Reese Dual Cam
Honda EU 2000i Generator
I do all of my own brake work and have bought rotors and drums from Kragen, Auto Zone, and Napa. They have all been about the same as far as quality. Not all were from China though. One set was actually from Canada.
jefffoxsr wrote: The dealer said I need new brake rotors because they are all rusted excessively. They are working up a price but you know it will be high. I called advance auto to get a price on 4 rotors and they said $172 total for all 4 rotors. The dealer will be probably $600 or higher just for the rotors themselves without labor added yet. I asked the auto parts guy if the rotors the dealer sells are any better than the ones they sell. The auto parts store guy said they are all the same and come from China so the dealer ones aren't any better.
I need to make a decision on this so can you tell me what the real facts are? I don't want to buy junk rotors and I don't want to let the dealer rip me off either.
Thanks.
Depends.
With a dealer that is honest (not all are), the OEM part is the best way to assure that you got what is needed for your vehicle.
I have known dishonest dealers who will put on the cheaper part, and charge you for the OEM part price.
You always have to pay more when the repair shop supplies the part --- whether it is an independent repair shop or franchised dealer.
An independent shop will call a shop like NAPA, and have them deliver the parts (in real time, while your car is in the shop) to them so they can bolt it on.
The installing shop add a good sized margin to the price because NAPA have to cover the cost of delivering the part to them, extending credit, and picking up any cores, etc., plus, if the shop supplied the part, it is only fair they make a margin on the sale.
SOME (not all) independent shops will allow you to bring your own parts and just pay for the labor to install it --- but that assume you got the right part and is not otherwise holding them up by having to find out your part didn't fit, and having to get new ones.
Most franchise dealers will not let you bring your own part, though individual managers may allow it.
The bottom line is you should not expect NAPA carry out cash prices for a repair shop supplied part --- it is not fair to them and it is not the way the repair shop business work.
Now, as far as whether there is a huge difference between different rotors, the short answer is yes... for another post.
jefffoxsr wrote: The dealer said I need new brake rotors because they are all rusted excessively. They are working up a price but you know it will be high. I called advance auto to get a price on 4 rotors and they said $172 total for all 4 rotors. The dealer will be probably $600 or higher just for the rotors themselves without labor added yet. I asked the auto parts guy if the rotors the dealer sells are any better than the ones they sell. The auto parts store guy said they are all the same and come from China so the dealer ones aren't any better.
I need to make a decision on this so can you tell me what the real facts are? I don't want to buy junk rotors and I don't want to let the dealer rip me off either.
Thanks.
I recall GM had a problem with rusted rotors. I would NOT use dealer parts...I'd probably try for Bendix or NAPA replacements.
John and Elizabeth (Liz), with 3 nutty cats
My beloved St. Bernard, Marm, lost him 1/2/12
Current rig:
1992 International Genesis school bus conversion
If I had to rank a matched pair of OEM rotors and pads from the dealer, that would be roughly in the best 1/3 of the parts I can buy.
The bottom of the line "also fits" from Autozone, NAPA, etc. are considerably lower in quality in many ways.
e.g. thinner / less mass, not as good machining, QC etc.
Using the OEM Rotors and Pads as a reference, there are exceptional high tech rotors that include features as cyro treatment (dunking in liquid nitrogen), slotting (to vent gases), drilling (to lighten --- for race car applications), exotic materials (from high nickle steel for stainless), to different kinds of cast iron, to ceramic, etc.
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