I posted a looooong message in the brakes, etc. forum but I thought I would ask for local advice re: locations here.

Make a long story short, I've had terrible luck with Mazda dealers in both London and Mississauga (more so Mississauga) and now I`m being told I need new front brakes (pads and rotors) and the cost is $850! I can price aftermarket performance parts for a lot cheaper than that with 2 hours labour and the bottom line is I just don't trust my dealer. I may not even really need brakes.

Let's assume I do. Since this work is NOT warranty related that means I am free to go elsewhere (ironic how that is a relief when it means paying for stuff vs free, heh).

Sooo. Anyone recommend a good auto shop in the GTA that knows their way around a rotary? Obviously since it's brakes for this job I don`t need rotary experience but I figure if I'm going to start developing a relationship with a non-dealer mechanic it might as well be someplace I can go for everything.

That being said if anyone has a good recommendation for brakes from a place that doesn't handle rotaries I'm open to that too!

I'm located in South Mississauga (Port Credit) but I travel to Vaughan a lot for work. I'm also in London quite often. But heck, if the place is good, I don't really care where it is so long as it's the GTA or London.

Speaking of the GTA, I've heard Khan Motorsports is good, anyone use them as a general mechanic? I got the impression they were more for aftermarket mods... Any other places recommended?

Thanks in advance!

Justarius

p.s. My long post about brakes in general (with a nice Dealer sucks story) can be found here if you`re interested:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/fast-brake-advice-needed-dealer-screwing-me-130963/

 

well with any dealership or mechanic (it doesnt matter which), they're going to "rip" you off in some respect.

granted 850 is a bit much for front brakes, they are easily done yourself with little chance of messing things up.

Also you can get work done to your car by any licensed mechanic and the warranty is still valid. You just need to provide reciepts.

As far as rotary specific work, stick to the dealership. While in warranty i stick to the dealership, when out of warranty i do the work myself. (And honestly, if you need any major overhaul work - you could probably put urself thru a years worth of a college mechanic course and still save money)

 

I posted a reply in the other thread recommending a DIY job...but I forgot about warranty considerations... The warranty won't cover rotors and pads of course, but would your caliper warranty be void if there was evidence you'd replaced your own pads?? It is such a simple job...

 

*free plug*
If your in between Miss and London often then stop by Kitchener and check out our shop. We sell EBC brake parts and can install anything you need.
Our address is 250 Woolwich St Breslau (east side of K-W) not any more than a 10 min drive off the 401. or give us a call anytime 519-513-0350.

 

Breaks are only covered up to a certain time/km under warranty. If it's a 05 then I'm sure you are way over. Call and ask. If it isn't just do it yourself, if you need help I will help u with them NP (for a case of beer), just buy all the ****, it's easy. I've done many different cars. PM if you want.

 

I was about to recommend RPM Motorsports ... but I see he did it himself! RPM installed my greddy exhaust and there are a bunch of rx7's/8's in the shop in various states of assembly along with a zillion rotory parts. Excellent mechanic and a great guy, too.

And RPM, I might also be interested in brakes sometime or other stuff. I'll keep in touch.

 

Nice Elliot, give Dan an email dan@rpmmotorsports.ca about the brakes when you've decieded. We have several sets of EBC pads in stock right now. Rotor's we would have to order, but shouldn't take much more than a week to get in.

Let us know.

 

+1 Rpm Ftw

 

I also was going to recommend RPM. So... Drop in at RPM...

 

Ok, thanks Joe.

 

$850 for brake pads is ridiculous. They are beyond ripping you off, its robbery.
________
Sick From Prilosec

 

2 hours of labour? I've gotten to the point where I can swap all 4 wheels and the brake pads at all 4 wheels in 25 minutes, and that's with a single floor jack where I have to jack up each corner. (street pads and wheels off, track pads and wheels on.)
Adding rotors to that won't add much time. Sounds like they just quoted you book time.
I know Mazda OEM rotors for the RX-8 are hideously expensive, so that's probably most of the cost. (i.e. around $250 a rotor.)

Just to pile on the love-fest, I would recommend RPM as well. I'm talking with them right now about building a motor for my race RX-7 and so far so good.

I'm not a big EBC fan, but if you just need new pads for daily driving, they should do fine.

 

save your money in labour and do the brakes yourself... its not rocket science. Disc brakes are the easiest things in the world to change.

 

Big thumbs up for Rowetech in Oakville. Simon's worked on my previous two cars, I haven't given him a crack at the 8 yet as the dealer's been working on, but he's an excellent mech, and knows his way around a rotary (he has three or four rx7-fc's).

http://www.rowetechautomotive.com/