Last week I brought my car in to Planet Subaru in Hanover, MA to get my foglamps fixed before my warranty expired. They both did not work and one reflector was burned. I did not modify these or change them from stock in any way. The car had 35,800 miles. They could not take the car then and we made an appointment for this morning. The car now has 36,100 miles. After waiting for 70 minutes I was told that they have to order the parts and we have to make another appointment. They also told me that they want to resuface or replace the rotors and replace pads etc. for a $200 deductable. I have had no trouble with them, but maybe it is time? Seems like a bargain for the price, but would I be better off upgrading to some WRX brakes? What would this typically involve and cost?

BTW- He said the deductible was because I never serviced the car with them and that I "needed to show some participation"?

bump for quick info

Also, does this procedure automatically mean that they will replace the brake fluid, or just bleed the air? If not, should I have them do it and what should it cost?

Thanks guys!

They are shaking you down. If you are having brake issues at 36,100 and they are only charging you $200 to fix it, this is what they are doing:

They are faking your odometer reading to under 36,000 miles.
They are doing a warranty brake job, for which, SOA is paying for.
They are pocketing an additional $200.

SOA's warranty is 100% lock down. Meaning with Honda, GM, etc., their warranty is flexible and they fix stuff even if you are slightly over the time/mileage. SOA is NON flexible and if you are at 36,000 miles, you are "stuck Chuck".

So, a $200 brake job isn't a bad price for a dealership to do the work, but realize that the dealership also isn't being honest with you. I'd say, shut your mouth and take it like a man. If you see the repair order, I'll wager that the mileage is under 36,000. If so, you could take pictures, raise a fuss, and probably get your $200 back. :)

As to the fluid, they probably won't touch it. It should have been completely replaced at your 30K service, so no worries.

wth? u brought ur car in to have ur foglamps repair, and walked out talking about a brake job? something seems fishy

however, 200 bux to is pretty good if that's at all four corners (f/r). if it's only the front, then no, it's way over priced. as for replacing the brake fluids during the process, or bleeding only, you'd have to find that out

btw, not sure how much a set of pads are for a forester, but for a wrx, it's roughly 70 bux.

I am not having issues as far as I know. I asked how much life was left, they guessed 4-5k. I don't know what to do here. I have been interrested in a brake upgrade, nothing major that would require new wheels etc., just something like the WRX brakes. What should I be looking at for the parts to do that? What would install cost?

I hate to be taken, especially if the dealer is dishonest. (Why are they all like this!?!?)

How long should pads and rotor last under normal use? The car is not a track car and never will be, and although I sometimes accellerate quickly I am not any harder on brakes than any other driver.

BTW, I had to do pads and rotors on my RS at about 60k.

Finally, if I needed to do a full brake job what would it normally cost?

Thanks for any advise.

I'd skip the brake work. While your brakes may be due for new pads, it sounds like the dealer is just looking for work to charge you for.

Just let them fix your fogs and call it a day.

For 7 years I've been pushing back hard on Subaru dealers (3) who try and play the "we can't warrantee "x" part because you didn't have your service done here" game. It's appalling, but yet some people buy into that BS. IMO, the only reason to go to Subaru is for warrantee work. (Ok there is one dealer I trust around here)

Your warrantee claim was for fog lights, right, did they fix it for free? However, I didn't think brake work was warranteed out to 36K? Good pads are ~130.00 F/R DIY....

SOA ain't Honda. I once popped a timing belt on a civic, towed it to a dealer (who I never dealt with before), and to my shock, no charge because it failed before the scheduled PM. All I paid for was towing. How 'bout that service!!!

IMO: firmly tell them to do the work for free, under warranty. Offer to talk to SOA. Repeat. They will succumb. :)

I have had horrible experiences form the service dept. there as well...namely a manager who kept accusing me of modding my car when it was absolutely bone stock. Since I bought the car from there with a ton of options, you think he could have been non-threatening. But everytime I went, he would accuse and threaten to cancel my warranty. Well, they certainly lost my business...

So even if you bought the car from them, they do not treat you very well when it comes to warranty service (window trim peeled off, center console wouldn't stay down, etc.)

How do your brakes feel? Do they make a squeaking noise? Sounds kinda fishy to me...

Did you even ask them to look at the brakes? I'd be wanting to see those pads before agreeing to anything...

FWIW, my 04 FXT is still on the original brake pads at 60k.

No apparent problems.

My problem is that I can't decide what to do...$200 is cheap, probably as cheap as it will ever be and I won't have to worry for another 50-60k miles.

What would it cost me roughly to do a WRX upgrade on this car?

wow sketchy dont let this dealer do anything to your car...

Did you even ask them to look at the brakes? I'd be wanting to see those pads before agreeing to anything...

FWIW, my 04 FXT is still on the original brake pads at 60k.

I did ask them to look the car over but I never mentioned brakes specifically...should I let them do this?

I think what the dealer is trying to do is "self authorize" the repair on the brakes. Technically he is out of warranty for both the fog lights and the brakes. Seeing he had made the appointment before he ran out of warranty, they are taking care of the fog lights under warranty.

If they tell you that they will take care of the fog lights, but not the brakes, you would wonder why, seeing they are both covered under warranty until 3/36. So what they are doing is trying to help you out and take care of them both.

Under the "self authorization" bulletin that Subaru just sent out (there is a post on here somewhere about it), Subaru does not have to pay for the whole repair. They can ask for participation from the customer and/or dealer. Seeing he has never been there before, why should they pay for the entire repair? Technically, they don't have to pay for it at all.

I think if you ask them about it, this is what they will tell you. Also ask them if they can see the "log" they have to keep for self authorized repairs and you will see what I'm talking about with dealer/customer participation in the repair.

Hondaslayer...where are you?? (I need your help on this one)

Hondaslayer...where are you?? (I need your help on this one)


Never been there before? Just out of warranty? The dealer is likely splitting the bill with you, most likely you are paying for the parts, while SOA is paying for the labor. I usually do the same thing,depending on the situation.

Never been there before? Just out of warranty? The dealer is likely splitting the bill with you, most likely you are paying for the parts, while SOA is paying for the labor. I usually do the same thing,depending on the situation.


Thanks.... :D

Well, while I don't service with them, I have had cars in with them for warranty service before. Also, this is the second car in a row purchased at this dealership. I also traded the first car back to them. While I am not a monthly face there, I do have a history at this dealership.

I don't get the "participation" part...either I am in warranty or not. I know the mileage was close, but it was under. On the other hand, I never mentioned brakes, so at 36,100 they could tell me to pay the whole thing, assuming there is a problem with them.

Is the concensus now that regardless of what the real deal is, this is still a good deal for me? I hate to sound like I need so much input to make up my own mind here, I don't usually like it when people want others to make up their minds for them. In this particular case, however, I just don't have the knowledge or all of the facts to feel confident in my decision. The car is scheduled for Saturday morning.

So, the car has 36k miles with no APPARRENT brake problems. They may have 5k left, they may have 20k left, but they are not new and will need servicing during the next 12 months in any case, probably at a cost of $450 or so? It will cost me $200 to get another 40-60k miles from this point. I am leaning strongly towards doing it. Is this what most of you would choose at this point. I don't really need you to choose for me, it is ultimately my decision, I am just looking for a little peace of mind.

BTW- I have asked a couple of time without an answer as to what kind of cost I am looking at for a WRX brake conversion. Can anyone help me out here? Thanks guys.

-Justin

Your Forester already has the same brakes as a WRX.

$200 for all four brakes is pretty good.

As far as participation, you are out of warranty. A dealer can use up to $1500 per car towards repairs that are out of warranty.If you had never been there before they would likely offer nothing, however being that you bought some cars there, that is why they are likely offering this.

Your Forester already has the same brakes as a WRX.

My misunderstanding. Like I said, I am not interrested in big wheel/ brake upgrades. Am I to understand that my only choices with the stock wheels ( I already upgraded tires to BFG Traction TA's) are stock replacements or upgraded pads + aftermarket rotors?

Car is in right now, asked if fluid change was included, it was not.

$46 more to do it, so I gave them the go-ahead to do that too.

That fluid change may be just what is in the reservoir, not a full bleed. I asked for a full bleed when I had mine done and it was $120.

It doesn't sound as if your brakes are fully worn out, so the job would possibly not be a warranty item anyway. It sounds like they are being pretty generous.

As for whether its normal for them to wear out that fast, it totally depends where and how you drive. If its mostly in heavy traffic its not unusual.

I never do a brake job unless I can feel vibrations when I hit them. IMO, don't worry about it when you start feeling problems.

Full Brake fluid flush was $46.

Ok, car is done, they resurfaced both the front and rear rotors + new pads.

Again, here is where things just don't smell right:

Under both of the line-items on the invoice, it basically says resurface/new pads etc., but the price is N/C, just like the warranty work for the lights. Only at the end on the invoice on the second page does it say: Manufacturer's Warranty Deductible: $200.00

I did not have any extended warranty and either the warranty covers it or not, right?

At this point I am not questioning that the brake job was a good deal for that price, but if something is going on where the dealership is scamming SOA somehow, I do question wether the work really needed doing at all, and if not, then I got scammed too.

You're not going to get better answers here. Call SOA if you want more, they will explain, including calling the dealer if needed.

My advice again: firmly, politely repeat your position that you're not interested in paying.

want my possé?

Full Brake fluid flush was $46.

Ok, car is done, they resurfaced both the front and rear rotors + new pads.

Again, here is where things just don't smell right:

Under both of the line-items on the invoice, it basically says resurface/new pads etc., but the price is N/C, just like the warranty work for the lights. Only at the end on the invoice on the second page does it say: Manufacturer's Warranty Deductible: $200.00

I did not have any extended warranty and either the warranty covers it or not, right?

At this point I am not questioning that the brake job was a good deal for that price, but if something is going on where the dealership is scamming SOA somehow, I do question wether the work really needed doing at all, and if not, then I got scammed too.


The reason why it says N/C is that you were not charged the full price for the repairs. The deductible is what your contribution to the repairs are. The dealers is not scamming either you or Subaru. Subaru knows that the dealer may ask you to participate in the repairs of the vehicle, especially because technically your car is out of warranty. They took care of the fog light repair because it was documented while your vehicle was under warranty. As a goodwill gesture they took care of your brakes as well.

The dealer will submit to Subaru the brake repair minus what you paid and the dealer will be paid. No questions by Subaru will be asked. It is all part of the new program (mentioned somewhere else on this forum) Subaru has developed to take care of customers. Each dealership can authorized up to $1500 worth of repairs to a customer that is out of warranty. It is up to the dealer whether it is used or not. Looks like the dealer tried to take care of you, but seeing that you don't "service" your car there, they figured it would be fair for you to pay for part of the repairs.

You're not going to get better answers here. Call SOA if you want more, they will explain, including calling the dealer if needed.

Thanks for the honesty. I think that I got as many opinions and info as was possible. Well, the work is done and I agreed to it, so no real point now in crying to SOA when in the end it all could have been legit. They may have pulled something funny, but I would like to think that they did not.

In the end:

Foglight assemblies replaced under warranty.
Full brake job with me kicking in a "warranty deductible" of $200
Full brake fluid flush, my request at $46

Whatever the cause, I guess I still got a good return for my money.

Thanks everybody.

Here is the link to the posting I was talking about:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=786567