Brake discs/pads cost: 06 V70 2.5T
 

You’d expect main dealers to charge a high price for parts/labour, but I’ve been surprised by the difference in quotes from my local dealer and two Volvo specialists today.

Yes, there’s nothing scientific about this comparison, but I wouldn’t have thought that one of the specialists was so much cheaper than the other - especially when it’s the cheaper one that seems to get the better reviews. It also makes Brembo parts (which I imagine are velvety bit as high quality as the OEM versions) look very cheap when bought separately at around £250...

Prices below are for genuine front and rear discs and pads, including labour and VAT (excluding the Brembo figures, of course):

Volvo main dealer - Chigwell: £988.80
Volvo specialist - Harlow: £795.60
Volvo specialist - Oxfordshire: £647.88

The cheap option:
Brembo parts sourced online/fitting at well-reviewed Haringey garage: £386.74

Anyone else surprised, or is there normally this much variation? I’m sure the locations have an impact, but still big differences...

Hi
Get the kid down the road to do it for you, and save Hundreds,
Those prices are mad for a simple job,
Dave

Yep, they do seem pretty steep.

I have the dilemma of having a full Volvo service history on a car that’s not worth that much. Without that I wouldn’t have even thought to contact Volvo at all.

Still, I was surprised at the difference in cost between indies. I’m sure the Volvo parts are a high proportion of the price, but they’re not cheap...

Hi
Volvo parts are not that badly priced ,
you can get some good prices on ebay
But there are some very good pattern parts for good prices and very easy to fit,
Dave

I did mine fully Brembo, front £196 / rear £120
And complete replacement of handbrake - shoes, cables springs and all £120.
New bleed nipples and fluid, £20

No labour cost because I did it myself, discs and pads you can do blindfolded but the handbrake was more of a faff. Although having taken them apart so many times I'd wager i could do that blindfolded as well now. I just really really wouldn't want to

Id only go to a garage for engine issues because mines young enough to be done properly and persevered (in terms of mileage) or for anything where the subframe needs dropping because I'm wary of being under the car and I like being alive. They've got lifts and gearbox jacks it's a piece of p!ss for them to do

From memory, buying ATE parts who make the Volvo brakes.....
Front discs and pads £150
Rear discs and pads £110

Even with a Volvo service history, with that kind of saving any premium in the resale value would unlikely compensate for such an overpayment.

You’re absolutely right. I’m just being a bit of an unnecessary perfectionist.

Since I’m much more confident having someone else dealing with the brakes, I’m sure a cheaper, well-reviewed placed would be a reasonable compromise between me doing it - I would break more than I fixed - and a pricey main dealer or not-quite-so-pricey specialist.

I agree with the spirit of what you’re saying, sadly on a personal level I also know how clumsy I am with this kind of thing and don’t fancy having dodgy brakes after I’ve been fiddling with them.

Yes, getting under the car without the proper kit to prevent you from getting squashed isn’t what you want.

This price made me chuckle.

have you seen house prices in Chigwell? lol

they probably tip the milkman a grand, that's nothing. and the garages know it