I have a quick question. I am having my B service performed today and the service manager just told me my front brake pads are now at 15%. He has told me that I will need to replace the rotors when I replace the brake pads. He actually said that rotors should be replaced with every other pad change. This seems very extreme. Before I called another dealer to confirm this quirky service I figured I would ask the experts here. I appreciate any feedback provided. Thanks.

That is the rule of thumb. I would check the condition of the rotors and measure them. You may be able to get another set of pad life out of them, or you may not. Easy way to tell is visual examination as well as a micrometer to measure them.

Sorry for posting in the incorrect forum. It just seems so inefficient. Do you know what the cost of the service would run? The special rotors must cost more than the standard ones on a C class.

How many miles do you have on your car? The pads should last at least 20K miles (some people say 50K, but I doubt it, but then, it depends on your driving style.). 9 out of 10 times the tech/advisor will tell you to change the rotor and brake pads based on visual examination ONLY. But I think the best way for you to do is to measure it yourself or ask them to measure it in front of you. Selling a set of brake pads and rotors are easy money to make because people seldom challenge them.

I took my Volvo in for service on Dec '02 and asked them to check the brakes for me, they said the front brakes have 50% left. The same car went in for service at the same dealership last week and I told them to check the brakes for me again, can you believe how much % my brakes have? 70%!!!! My brakes will get "thicker" after 7 months!!!! I will never ever go to that dealership again. I dont mind paying, but I hate people guessing! How much time will be wasted if someone just spend a minute and measure that damn brakes for me???

Perhaps it may not be a bad idea if you call another dealership and ask for a second opinion.

My car has 24,000 miles. I am not sure if the this will be the first time the pads are to be replaced, since I purchased the car with 13,000 miles. I will check with another dealer that knows my parents to see if this dealer is selling me non-required parts. Thanks again.

wear out a couple sets of pads before the disc is down to minimum thickness.