S40: Brake discs

[baldmosher]

Perhaps a bit late but Volvo discs & pads all round from FRF with the discount were really really cheap when I got mine 2 years ago. Didn't see much sense in going aftermarket to save £20, but lots recommend Mintex. Also a few that don't as I recall, but they're the minority!

[GaryS40]

Originally Posted by baldmosher

Perhaps a bit late but Volvo discs & pads all round from FRF with the discount were really really cheap when I got mine 2 years ago. Didn't see much sense in going aftermarket to save £20, but lots recommend Mintex. Also a few that don't as I recall, but they're the minority!

You always get 'naysayers' badmouthing every product on the market.

Some haven't even tried the goods, but just pass on bad news from someone they have heard it from.

I have used two different sets of Mintex brake parts and found them all to be of excellent quality.

I still have the old set in the garage, if anyone is interested.

Gary

[Yorlecm]

Soz to bump up an old[-ish] thread; My V40's rear pads were a fail at MOT a couple of months ago so the garage swapped them out [for whatever they had lying about, I suppose - I just told them to get on with it to get the MOT pass] However, the front pads were just an advisory so I asked them to leave those for the time being. Thanks to posts on here, I discovered and ordered one of the Mintex front brake box sets from ebay.

I had planned to change them myself, but tempus fugit; we're off to Brittany tomorrow on hols and I wanted it done before we went, so I got my local garage to fit pads & discs for me yesterday. Also to change all the brake fluid and change the coolant [both last done 3 years / 25K miles ago]

Obviously it is after the fact, and yes, I SHOULD really have asked beforehand, but does 2 + 1/2 hours labour seem reasonable for that lot?

In reality, it would probably have taken me all day, but then I've only done it once before and I'd be working on the road outside the house and not in a garage with the car up on a ramp and all the necessary toys readily to hand.

Its all done now, but I can't help wondered if maybe they've edged the bill up a wee bit to make up for their loss of profit by not supplying the parts as well.....?

C'est la vie
[just practicing for the next 10 days or so!]

[timmytarmac]

Yeah I always find its better to get a quote from people first but 2 hours sounds about right.

[skyship007]

If you trust your local Indy to order the right quality parts, it does make sense to let them do it. They can often get a trade discount (Not much for genuine Volvo parts in comparison with Rufe/FRF Swansea), which will keep them happy, BUT it does help if things go wrong. Using owner supplied parts invalidates the guarantee or warranty in many cases, because if the part fails, it's your problem not theirs to sort things out.

[patrick264]

Imo would fit genuine parts all round but then europarts have preformed ok, one day soon I think the parts might be more valuable then the whole car!
Aving said that seems like routine volvo parts are fairly competitivly priced

[Tickingcrow]

Have I missed something here reading of x40's stopping on a sixpence? I've had an S40 from new (12 years ago), the brakes have always been awful. I had a 940 Turbo Estate beforehand, no issues, a 2005 V70 D5 SE, no issues and now a V60 RDesign (bloody fantastic brakes & handling). The S40 has always had Volvo discs & pads, fluid changes, flexible hose changes and always required prayers to God when braking! As it's now worthless (£175 from WBAC.com) its become a hobby car. EVO3 front callipers, EBC OE 276mm Discs to fit, Ferodo Premier pads for all 4 discs & Goodridge braided hoses are being fitted next week. Will the car not require divine intervention in future? I'll let you know.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Yorlecm

Soz to bump up an old[-ish] thread; My V40's rear pads were a fail at MOT a couple of months ago so the garage swapped them out [for whatever they had lying about, I suppose - I just told them to get on with it to get the MOT pass] However, the front pads were just an advisory so I asked them to leave those for the time being. Thanks to posts on here, I discovered and ordered one of the Mintex front brake box sets from ebay.

I had planned to change them myself, but tempus fugit; we're off to Brittany tomorrow on hols and I wanted it done before we went, so I got my local garage to fit pads & discs for me yesterday. Also to change all the brake fluid and change the coolant [both last done 3 years / 25K miles ago]

Obviously it is after the fact, and yes, I SHOULD really have asked beforehand, but does 2 + 1/2 hours labour seem reasonable for that lot?

In reality, it would probably have taken me all day, but then I've only done it once before and I'd be working on the road outside the house and not in a garage with the car up on a ramp and all the necessary toys readily to hand.

Its all done now, but I can't help wondered if maybe they've edged the bill up a wee bit to make up for their loss of profit by not supplying the parts as well.....?

C'est la vie
[just practicing for the next 10 days or so!]

2 1/2 hours sounds reasonable enough.
You don't say how much that time cost you though.......

[Dancake]

Just got my new rear discs and pads from FRF today. Great service as usual. In terms of build quality/appearance both discs and pads appear more refined than any aftermarket parts I've fitted (had Brembo and Mintex on the back previously without any issues).The original Volvo discs and pads all round work out around the same price and sometimes cheaper than Pagid/Mintex etc, hence the reason for sticking with original units.