Kwik Fit

scaredofdebt

OK I know they are verbotten here but I need some front brake pads pronto and my usual mechanic is on holiday.


I know they will tell me my suspension needs replacing (joke) but apart from that are they reasonable for things like brake pads? Cna I just turn up and get them fitted pretty quickly?


Cheers,

[Deleted User]

They will not be quick.


They will take a lot of unnecessary time finding all the faults, as you mentioned.



They WILL over charge you, on parts, and labour.

scaredofdebt

Yeah just rang them, £107 for 2 front pads or £300 odd for pads and discs - I know it's a slightly exotic car (Nissan Elgrand) but really taking the Michael there.


An hour!


Seeing what Halfords come back with now.


I would do it myself but don't fancy jacking up a 2.5 tonne car using a scissor jack.

jimbo6977

I know people deride KF and "Halfrauds" on here, and although I do not use Kwik Fit, I do use National and ATS Euromaster, where you might expect similar issues to arise, and I can honestly report that I've had no "upselling" bother whatsoever. I've also used E-Tyres who do driveway tyre fitting and they were fine too.

I think it depends as much on which technician you get, in what sort of mood, on what day of the week.

I also had Halfords change a headlight bulb on my car at 8pm when I was due to drive onto a cross-channel ferry, in an unfamiliar town, when no-where else was open. So I'm glad they were there and I was more than willing to pay what some here would regard as a premium/inflated price for the bulb and the fitting (£17 total).

On another tack, I'd rather support businesses that take the trouble to have physical premises and employ people and keep towns busy than buy everything as cheap cheap cheap as possible direct from China over the internet.

scaredofdebt

Yeah I don't mind paying a bit over the odds, as you mentioned reagards the headlamp bulb, but based on prices I've seen online they're charging ~£80+ to fit a couple of pads that is probably less than 30 minutes work.


Those are top end main dealer prices (labour) for relatively simple work.


Halfords want £120.


I seem to recall my usual mechanic was around £60 but he's on holiday.

scaredofdebt

Mintex any good?


I can order a set of front pads and discs for £35 including next day delivery.

mark1959

I only started using kwik fit 2 years ago, for the half price mot's. Both times my old heap of a focus passed with no work needed so no problems from me. :cool:

Joe_Horner

scaredofdebt wrote: »

Mintex any good?


I can order a set of front pads and discs for £35 including next day delivery.

Mintex are fine - they've been in the game longer than i've been alive. IF they're really Mintex and IF the disks aren't made of upcycled out of date cheddar at that price, of course.

scaredofdebt

Thanks. Turns out they were for a 1.0 Corsa, despite Googling Nissan Elgrand brake pads.


So I've ended up with Eicher pads for £39 including next day delivery.


I'll probably treat myself to a trolley jack as I'll feel safer, another £20 odd so not a huge saving but once I've done it once I suppose I can redo in future and save a fair bit over time.


Axel stands maybe too - regards these, the car is 2.2 tonnes unladen, would 2 tonne axel stand be OK as I am only holding one corner? I think the scissor jack that came with the car is only rated at 1.8 tonnes or something.

TF03

I have 2 great regular mechanics, but because they are so good they are often very busy.

If I need anything urgent done that isn't major, I use my local KF in Tunbridge Wells. They have always been spot on, quick and done fairly.

oldagetraveller

scaredofdebt wrote: »

OK I know they are verbotten here but I need some front brake pads pronto and my usual mechanic is on holiday.


I know they will tell me my suspension needs replacing (joke) but apart from that are they reasonable for things like brake pads? Cna I just turn up and get them fitted pretty quickly?


Cheers,

Are the pads worn to such an extent that you can't wait for your "usual mechanic" to return from holiday?