Ouch -- Feel like I just got mugged!

[Bart]

I got new front and rear brake pads and new rotors put on the Forester...

I got the work done at a local mechanic (not the dealer) -- the mechanic
has a good reputation for good work (but is not the cheapest place).

But WOW...the bill was large -- the price of parts alone was almost
2/3rds of the total bill.

Just for future reference -- anybody got any suggestions for decent
parts (in the US)? For example -- anybody had any experience with NAPA
parts for their Subaru?

 

[BobN]

Just for future reference -- anybody got any suggestions for decent
parts (in the US)? For example -- anybody had any experience with NAPA
parts for their Subaru?

One time I had my local garage put front pads on my Outback. They squealed
something fierce after a few months. I went back to Subaru parts on the
next brake job and they've been silent for a long time. The dealer said the
compound is different.

 

[TG]

NAPA ceramic pads are good in my opinion and they have 3 different rotors
for my Legacy depending on what I want. You didn't mention your prices. Keep
in mind that brake components are strictly regulated for safety sake and
even the cheapest stuff NAPA has will be as safe as what was originally on
your car. The original brakes can be greatly improved upon and sometimes
without any extra $. TG

 

[Jim Stewart]

:




One time I had my local garage put front pads on my Outback. They squealed
something fierce after a few months. I went back to Subaru parts on the
next brake job and they've been silent for a long time. The dealer said the
compound is different.

My experience as well. I decided to use NAPA
pads in the rear and they've squeaked ever since.
The genuine Subaru pads in front that I've changed
twice have never made a sound.

 

[Rick Courtright]

But WOW...the bill was large -- the price of parts alone was almost
2/3rds of the total bill.

Hi,

But what WAS the bill? Large to one person's sometimes reasonable to
another, and if the parts were 2/3 of the bill, sounds like the the
mechanic's not ripping you on labor. Without numbers, it's speculation!

Just for future reference -- anybody got any suggestions for decent
parts (in the US)? For example -- anybody had any experience with NAPA
parts for their Subaru?

Personally, my dealer gets most of my parts business. I've had good luck
with NAPA parts for American cars, and their oil filters have been fine
on my Subie, but overall, I've found it has an appetite for OEM parts
(as have my Toyotas and my g/f's Honda, so it's apparently not just a
"Subie thing.") They just seem to work better and last longer than
anything I've found aftermarket.

Rick