V70 Brakes: How long do pads last?

[jackthehat.co.uk]

I know this is a bit like asking "how long is a piece of string" but can I have some replies on how many miles you folks are getting out of your front brake pads?

Mine needs new discs and pads on the front and I am considering paying through the nose at Kwik-Fit to take advantage of their lifetime guarantee. If the general feeling from you all is that the pads last for ages then I may not bother. If they wear like hell then I think the Kwik-Fit route may pay off as I keep my cars for a long time and relish the thought of free brake pads and discs every few years courtesy of the Kwik-Fit boys.

[Nunchukhamster]

Originally Posted by jackthehat.co.uk

I know this is a bit like asking "how long is a piece of string" but can I have some replies on how many miles you folks are getting out of your front brake pads?

Mine needs new discs and pads on the front and I am considering paying through the nose at Kwik-Fit to take advantage of their lifetime guarantee. If the general feeling from you all is that the pads last for ages then I may not bother. If they wear like hell then I think the Kwik-Fit route may pay off as I keep my cars for a long time and relish the thought of free brake pads and discs every few years courtesy of the Kwik-Fit boys.

Sorry, but I would avoid KwikFit at all costs. Last time I used them, they neglected to torque up a set of wheel nuts on the car. That was their second life. The first one they lost when they dented both my front wings because instead of using 2 trolley jacks on a lowered car, they tried to use a lift by getting two fitters to try and lift the front of the car whilst a third drove it onto the ramp.

Also, the guarantee relates ONLY to pads. You still have to pay for any discs that need replacing...and I wonder how often you'll only need the pads according to KwikFit?

Changing the front discs and pads is a simple job, and can be done in an hour by a complete amateur (i.e. me). Also, the guarantee relates ONLY to pads. You still have to pay for any discs that need replacing...and I wonder how often you'll only need the pads according to KwikFit?

[Ben 77]

I have to agree with Hamster.Avoid Kwikfit at all costs,have had a couple of bad experiences with them ages ago and have never used them since.Monkeys with spanners and no knowledge comes to mind.


Ben.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Thanks folks, I also don't like Kwik-Fit much but thought I might give it a go. Anyway, I've just got a price from them... £230!!! So on price alone they can forget it!

Looks like I'll be getting my tool box out again.

Does anyone know if there's a warning light when the pads get low? There's no point putting them on until I have to.

[Clan]

No there is no warning light , thats what regular maintenance is for ! Bearing in mind that the pads won't wear at all as long as you dont press the brake pedal , in practice front pads last on average 50000 miles , and rear around double that . Sometimes a lot longer if you are up and down the motorway all the time . If you are a heavy braking type of driver they could last 30000 miles but you would probaly need discs too at the same time .

[Alec Dawe]

http://www.volvo.car-brakes.co.uk/

Discs for V70 about £29 each
Set of front pads about £35

PFV Volvo genuine parts Front Pads about £49, Discs about £62.

Using Volvo genuine, you'd still save lots of money, and might even better PFV's price at your dealer with members discount. Don't know what quack fit use, but bet they aren't genuine!

About 3/4 hour a side for front discs and pads even for an old codger like me! Just make sure you have a 7mm allen key first!! (If yours is a later car)

[Silverbrick]

What`s the minimum pad thickness for when they need replaced? Mine are looking a lttle thin!

[John_C]

£230!

That's not actually all that bad because of course they are using genuine Volvo parts not cheap pattern knock-offs.

Ohhh.... no, wait........

Rip off merchants. That lifetime guarentee is just a bet that most people won't bother to come back down the line because they'll have forgotten about it etc. If everyone who takes it out uses the service properly they'd go bankrupt.

Now there's a thought

Cheers,
John

[4 forty]

thank you for this alec.
paul

[Nunchukhamster]

Originally Posted by Alec Dawe

Just make sure you have a 7mm allen key first!! (If yours is a later car)

Plus 1! I didn't, but was fortunate enough to have another car to go and buy one with LOL

Also, try asking Rufe on here for his prices, he is a Volvo maindealer but looks after us well. He sells the genuine front pads (my last set cost £30 I think from him).