BRZ dealer brake service necessary?
 

my car is almost due for the Subaru schedule B maintenance service, which costs about $400. The reason that schedule B service costs so much is because of brake service. I just want to know, is the brake service necessary?

What is brake service? (I don't have the BRZ maintenance guide). Is it a brake fluid exchange?

Also, what mileage/# month are you at currently?

I can't imagine it's more than checking the brake system (maybe bench cycling the ABS), possibly bleeding and replacing pads. You could always call a dealer and ask the service dept what exactly is involved.

According to cars101, the US maintenance schedule doesn't really show anything to do with the brake system that would cost $400 unless they're automatically lumping you in to a "severe driving condition" rating and replacing a lot of stuff at the 15k or 30k mile service instead of a simple inspection.

I think schedule B is severe.

You do realize that 95%+ of that "preventative maintenance" is bullshit right? They always say: "inspect, adjust, or replace". Considering how new the car is do you honestly believe anything will go beyond the "inspect" phase?

Think about it. If something were so wrong that it needs adjustment or replacement then you most likely already knew of the issue and can have it done under warranty without paying them to look at it.

That's a $400 oil change you're talking about. You take that money and save it for when an actual problem arises.

Ummmm....preventative maintenance is not bullshit. It's maintenance needed to prevent a failure.


Now what our friends up north are charging this Canuck $400 for has yet to be answered, if it is for an oil change and inspections the cost is a little excessive, but if it includes more it could be a deal depending on what those things are.

I'd say call and ask what the $400 is used on.

The dealership will rape you any chance they get. Ya they make money on selling cars, but they make a lot more on service. My father bought a certified toyota a couple years back and there was a 30k mile service receipt in the glove box from the previous owner. The bill was 1200 bux and all they did was change the oil and air filter, and inspect everything else. No other fluids or brakes or even windshield wipers were put on the car.

1200 bux! That really opened my eyes to just how dealers screw you over. I never ever ever take my cars to the dealers for service. I may let them do my complimentary oil changes when they come, but even then I just don't trust others with my car. People think that dealers are the best place to take you car for service. Lots think they have to. I would find a trusted mechanic to take your car to for any service.

Not to say all dealerships have sub standard labor working on cars, but most of them could give a crap less about your vehicle. Plus most all of them work on a quota system. They are expected to get them done in a certain amount of time. So they will rush most often to get it done. Please find a good mechanic. You can take the car to anyone you want and they still have to honor your warranty.

Depends on the dealership. You can't paint them all with the same broad brush. If that's all my dealership did, I wouldn't pay anywhere near that much.

The most I spent on a service was the 50k service, and that was also because I'd neglected service for quite a while and quite a few things needed replacing and adjusting from over 20k without anything but an oil change.

Then again, I go to a fairly honest dealership. I get shown all the costs up front and in detail, including original pricing, discounts from warranty, etc. All before I pay.

If your dealership doesn't do that in the service department, then find another dealership, or a good independent shop.

I am going to suggest like the others on this post:

- Call dealership and ask what this entails
- Since you are in Toronto, take it to Touge Tuning (http://www.tougetuning.com/) and ask them for a quote on the same thing.

This way, you get a reputable repair/tuning shop in the GTA to do the same amount of work but probably for far less without the anal raping.

TT is highly respected in the GTA by the Toronto Subaru Club.

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with TT nor am I being paid for this. I have not had work done for or by them. This is purely what I would do if I had a BRZ (I've been doing a LOT of research).

They'll probably remember to bolt the wheels back on after they change the pads, too. You never know with dealer service depts...

It includes cleaning and lubing the slides, deglazing pads, cleaning the contact points on the caliper etc. They say if you don't do it you void any brake component related warranty such as uneven pad wear, caliper failure etc. Personally on our Subarus we take the chance and save the money, pads are cheap and will need to be done eventually anyway, and that"s when we take care of the other bullshit they tell you you need.

Sounds like a $400 lunch for dealership personnel

pay me $100 and i will do oil change and all inspections possibly i can do at my home