Brought my car in to mazda for its usual service. I mentioned that my brake light comes on intermittently. Here is what they said I had to get done and quoted me $1285 plus tax! Is that right? How much would this cost to do it myself? I'm bringing it to midas for a quote as well. Also needs rear twilight fixed they quoted me $285 for a cracked tailight!

 

Since it's not engine work, I think you can ask for some indy shops for opinions.

$285 is a bit steep for an S1 taillight(S2 ones are more expensive because of the LEDs). Go to your local(or online) junkyards and see what's there. Installation is really easy, just 2 clips to remove the trunk trim and 3 nuts to remove. Remember to apply the gasket fix if you don't want them leaking.

Besides, if your brake light is intermittent, wouldn't that be an electrical issue with the wiring or the connector?

You may really want new tires, though. I am in BC, and I already have my brand new winters on.

 

You should be able to do it all yourself. The swaybar endlink is easy, front pads and rotors too. Seized rear caliper can ve replaced with a rebuilt one, they're about 180 if you bring thr busted one as core. Obviously don't get your parts at the dealer.

 

They quoted me $400+ to fix condensation in the rear taillight. S1.

 

I follow the steps according to this video and poofs. no more condensation.

Now, pay me $400 or ship me an AEM CAI. LOL just kidding mate.

 

I replaced my front brakes with OEM pads ($100) and Centric rotors ($100). You can get aftermarket pads cheaper, and there are cheaper rotors available as well. You might be able to have your current rotors turned instead of replacing them which would be the cheapest.

If you can get the seized caliper apart you can replace the sliding pins and clean up the holes they go in. Otherwise a reman caliper can be bought at any auto parts store. I've only ever bought them at advance auto (they usually have $30-40 off coupons), and they will rust like crazy if you don't paint them. Not sure if remans from other stores have the same problem.

 

Everything listed you can do yourself and should do yourself. If you own one of these cars you best know how to fix it or you'll be hit with quotes like this on regular service intervals.

Brakes are easy if you have the proper tools and know how to properly service the caliper brackets, fit kit, and slide pins. Bleeding is simple should you need to replace a caliper. and the sway bar links are not bad either. The reason the quote is so high is because of their labor amount per hour and the book time hours to complete each job.

 

Please reread the paperwork; it doesn’t say the caliper is seized. It says the caliper sliding pins are seized. Those are on the caliper mount. According to the paperwork the caliper should be fine.

 

jeez they are crazy but they just dont want to work on it lol