New tyres and brake discs, pads? Costs?

puddy

Hi, we have a nissan note. Took it to kwik fit today for the free brake check as at the last service it mentioned that brakes were worn and tyres were getting low. So today kwik fit say that 2 of the tyres need changing as they are below the legal limit. The other 2 are ok (although the max useable tread on one is the same as one which is too low??).

In addition the front break discs and pads need changing.

So, the quote from kwik fit is £99 for the same tyres (continental) or £46 for their own equivilent. Plus £231 for the pads and discs, with a lifetime guarantee.

The quote from the local Nissan dealer (we phoned them) is £98 for the tyres (or £80 each if we wanted to change all 4), plus £180 for the discs and pads but we are waiting for them to get back to us to confirm whether theres any guarantee involved or whatnot.

So the question is, should we change all 4 of the tyres as a precaution anyway (they have each done 36k miles), or just 2. Should we go for continental or kwik fits own tyres.

plus do the amounts sound right? We dont know anyone in this area and dont know any 'local garages'. I used some 'bloke' for my servicing in January, he changed put a new tyre on for £10 and I didnt get anything in writing to get my book updated or to show I had a service so have been put off 'local garages'!

Thanks

[Deleted User]

Avoid Kwik Fit. Ask around friends, family, work, etc for a recommended local garage. And see what they say. Although you can see for yourself if your tyres need changing or not. I always change mine way before they get to the legal limit.

puddy

thank you

why would 2 tyres have a 1.4 useable tread but only one of them needs to be changed?

benham3160

Discs.... Oh brake discs......

Easy money, generally, especially on modern brake systems providing the pads are kept in reasonable condition the discs can last, well not forever, but a long old time.

Brake discs have now been removed from the MOT, unless there is a likely event of them litterally failing on the test. It was removed because too many testers (following the rules might I add) where advising discs that were scored, pitted or lipped, when in reality it had no effect on the braking or the safety of the system. Customer punter read MOT report, saw a brake fault and not knowing better demanded it was remidied. Another set of usable, but part-worn lumps of steel on the slow-boat to China.

Can't say anything without seeing them, but I'd get a second opinion.

Regards,
Andy

gardner1

agree with leeuk just because they tyres and brakes getting low means nothing get yourself a tyre gauge and check yourself
also kwik !!!!!! are terrible at telling you brakes are worn when they have loads of wear left on

AVOID KWIK !!!!!! AT ALL COSTS

[Deleted User]

puddy wrote: »

thank you

why would 2 tyres have a 1.4 useable tread but only one of them needs to be changed?

Could be perished, splitting round the edges etc.

benham3160

gardner1 wrote: »

agree with leeuk just because they tyres and brakes getting low means nothing get yourself a tyre gauge and check yourself
also kwik !!!!!! are terrible at telling you brakes are worn when they have loads of wear left on

AVOID KWIK !!!!!! AT ALL COSTS

I'm not anti-fast fit at all, I always take my car to the local one. No issues, good honest guys, I wish them all the luck in the world.

However, "brakes" are a very emotive thing, and where a mechanic might say something to the effect "the brakes are a bit worn" people suddenly assume this means the system needs replacing - and action work on a disc/pad combo still with 25,000 miles of wear left on it.

It's psychology, I tell 'ye. Remember you only have to have a 5p's thickness worth of lining on pads, and they're perfectly safe and can be left alone to function.

ALSO part worn friction material is far better at stopping you than brand new pads/discs.


Regards,
Andy

harveybobbles

When I saw the title

New tyres and brake discs, pads? Costs?

I knew without reading it that KiwkSh1t would be involved...

gardner1

"I'm not anti-fast fit at all, I always take my car to the local one. No issues, good honest guys, I wish them all the luck in the world."

you must have friends working for them

puddy

well one of the pads is 0.8m thick so clearly it needs changing, the other at the front is 2.9m,,, does this really need to be changed?

the discs say 19.63m and 18.89m for the 2 front ones and they are 'worn' and need changing

we're clueless really, could we just change the pads do you think?

benham3160

gardner1 wrote: »

"I'm not anti-fast fit at all, I always take my car to the local one. No issues, good honest guys, I wish them all the luck in the world."

you must have friends working for them

No, not at all. Don't have any problem with them.

However I get absolutely enraged at all the "Fast-Fit bashing" on here, have you ever considered that sometimes, components do actually need replacing?

Would I let a fast-fit fitter perform any major opperations on my car? No, I do those myself (:cool:) but like hell can I be bothered to change my own oil, £25 to the local fast-fit, saves me a lot of time and bother. Nothing worse than working on your own car.

It's right to be cautious, but to just label every fast fit centre as fraudsters is wrong, very wrong.

Regards,
Andy