Questions and Answers

VW Touareg Brake Rotor Question Q. Hi there, I had a question about my current vehicle, relative to the costs being quoted to me by my dealer, they seem ridiculous. 2004 VW Touareg V6 V6 Automatic transmission 30,000 miles Fuel Injection ABS brakes P/S - A/C - Cruise control

During my 30,000 mile checkup my dealer told me that I would need new brakes pads, I'm down to 15% on the front and 40% on the back. I assumed I would need new brake pads, seems normal, I drive pretty often and lots of stop and go. What floored me though was the fact that he also told me I would need new rotors on both front and back when I decided to redo the pads on the back which he said wasn't now because they are at 40%.

I don't know a lot about cars, or new cars, but I thought the rotors were not something that needed to be replaced so often. I thought this only happened when people didn't change brake pads in time and wore down or ruined the rotors? I just want to know if I'm being given the shaft by my dealer, 1,000.00+ for new brake pads and rotors sucks.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Brett

A. For some reason German car manufacturers make their brake rotors thin. On your vehicle the specifications for the brake rotors are:

Front Brake Disc
Ventilated brake disc diameter	308 mm
Brake disc thickness	29.5 mm
Wear limit	25.5 mm

Brembo
18" ventilated brake disc diameter	350 mm
18" brake disc thickness	34 mm
18" wear limit	32 mm
17" ventilated brake disc diameter	330 mm
17" brake disc thickness	32 mm
17" wear limit	30 mm

Rear Brake Disc
Ventilated brake disc diameter	314 mm
Brake disc thickness	22 mm
Wear limit	18 mm
Brake drum- diameter	185 mm
Wear limit	186 mm

The difference between the thickness and wear limit is, at most, only 4mm, the thickness of three pennies. This is split between both sides of the brake rotor so we're talking 2mm per side. Not very much. So it is almost certain that by the time the brake pads are ready to be replaced, the rotors are worn down below specifications.

Now also keep in mind that if you come in and the rotors are only within specification, but will go below specifications before the pads are due for replacement again, they, for the sake of safety, should be considered below specification. At the very least the customer should be made aware of the fact that they will go out of specification.

For all intents and purposes, German brake rotors are use once and then throw away.

Rotors for your particular vehicle are $126.25 each, front and rear for a total of $505.00. Front and rear brake pads are $185.53 and $111.10 respectively. Labor would be about 3 hours to replace brake pads and rotors on all four wheels.