Brake advice please
 

I am looking at changing all the brakes on my XC70. I am unable to do this work myself so have obtained some quotes and my options are:

1) Volvo brakes fitted at a local Volvo specialist
2) Brembo brakes fitted at a Volvo specialist - £100 cheaper than option 1
3) Pagid brakes fitted at my local garage - £200 cheaper than option 1

I'm thinking about going with option 2 as Brembo brakes were recommended by this Volvo specialist and they have fitted many without issues.

Also, my understanding is that brake fluid should be changed every 2 years, is this right?

Many thanks for any assistance.

Changing the brake fluid is a good idea, since it's hygroscopic and thus attracts water. Water in the brake fluid is not a good idea, as it may start boiling when you break hard. Unlike a fluid, steam can be compressed, so your brakes will fade in such a case.

Brake fluid can be tested for water content at a workshop. At least doing that now and then is a good idea. Sometimes fluid replacement isn't necessary, dependent on how and where the car has been used.

makes sense to renew the fluid with the works in hand, then make a note on the calendar for every 2 years

So you've bought one of the safest cars on the road - for which you would have paid a premium - and you're asking if you can save a few quid by fitting cheap brakes?

Brembo may be towards the top of the "pattern parts charts" but there is no better quality brakes available for everyday use then the genuine Volvo parts. The bigger XC models (especially 90) are notorious for eating though cheap pattern parts.

So I would say option 1 add day, and yes getting the fluid changed is likely to make a difference and is a good idea.

Thanks for the replies. Sorry, the question on the fluid was more, is it changed every two years. It was last changed 10 months ago so all good. I must say the details in the replies were fantastic and very informative.

On the discs/pads, I'm not always convinced that original specifications parts (whatever they are) are always best but Volvo is new to me so asking the question from more knowledgeable people. Pagid, I'm not sure but Brembo is a perceived quality product. I'll do some additional research on them. The Brembo brakes were recommended by a Volvo specialist.

Thanks again.

Volvo will be far and away better quality and worth every penny.


I change them myself and pay the extra for Volvo.

21,000 miles on the discs and pads on a large xc90 and I expect both to do the same again, very little wear.

You can get the odd bargain on eBay when dealers are selling genuine Volvo brake pads but damaged box

I had a similar quandary, and went with brembo discs and volvo pads, rationale was that disc material being cast iron wouldn't vary between OEM and a quality aftermarket brand, although pad compound could.

Just put brembo discs with Bendix pads on our XC90. Some difference compared to what was on it before.

Seen many people rave about brembo discs with yellow stuff pads.

Ferg, Tony, thanks for the replies. Can I assume that all is ok with the brakes fitted?