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#902130 - 02/08/08 04:51 PM Brakes done at Midas? Any good?
Dip Offline
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Dip
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San Diego, CA
My poor baby needs new rear brake pads, and Mazda wants to charge $400!!! I think not!

I called Midas and they can do it with generic brake pads for $203, plus they have a lifetime guarantee: they'll replace my pads forever and ever and only charge me labor (which is good cuz the pads for my car run about $90).

What do you all think? OK to go generic? Is Midas reputable?

My other option is to pay $96 to buy Mazda pads and see if my friend's hubby can tackle the swap...
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#902135 - 02/08/08 04:56 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Dip
MB Guy Offline
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Depending if they are going to replace your rotors (or cut them), $203 doesn't sound too bad.

Each Midas, I believe, is independently owned, so you never know what you'll get, but at least they have been around for several years, so that's good.

Brakes certainly aren't brain surgery, so you should be good with Midas. $crew Mazda.
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#902137 - 02/08/08 04:57 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? MB Guy
buggs Offline
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Midas is just like any other independently owned brake shop. Ask your local friends for references and check your local BBB.

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#902142 - 02/08/08 05:01 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Dip
Fraudman CFCI Offline
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I alawys use the service department of the dealer for such repairs. Midas will use after-market products and you probably will replace your pads and require the rotors be turned more frequently. In the end, you will pay more. The dealership and its techs are spelcialists in servicing your vehicle.

Put it this way: If you had heart problems, would you go to a GP or heart specialist?

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#902145 - 02/08/08 05:02 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Dip
*BUSTER* Offline
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Just brake pads? I don't the quality of the midas pads, but if they have a lifetime guarantee, why not use them? I would check and see exactly what their gaurantee covers though.

You don't have to buy mazda pads, just go to any car parts store and buy the pads that are spec'd for your car, it could run $30 or higher, depending on the quality you want to spend for. It's not that hard a job if you have the right tools and know what to do. I replaced two brake rotors and all four sets of brake pads on my old maxima in about an hour. Just make sure they bleed the brakes properly after the replacement.
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#902147 - 02/08/08 05:02 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? buggs
Truffle Royale Offline

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Used Midas for years. Was really impressed when we had brake trouble 600 miles from home and the Midas dealer there honored the guarantee and replaced them for free.

Just be aware that generic brakes may make a difference in the sound of your car. I just paid the extra to have a Lexus dealer replace my brakes to eliminate the squeak that I got the last time they were changed at the non-Lexus dealer I bought the car from. Turns out Lexus has some extra shims and special oil that keep the brakes absolutely quiet. May not matter as much to you but it was worth the money to me.

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#902150 - 02/08/08 05:05 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Truffle Royale
sadie23 Offline
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from the sounds of it, you don't want to give it the Midas touch.

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#902165 - 02/08/08 05:23 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Fraudman CFCI
Dip Offline
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Originally Posted By: Fraudman, CPP
In the end, you will pay more.


Even if I replace the pads twice as often by going to Midas, I still save $200... $100x2 versus $400x1
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#902177 - 02/08/08 05:30 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Dip
Dip Offline
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OK, here the shop is on BBB... They aren't accredited, is that bad thing or is it neutral?
http://sandiego.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=26&bbb=1186&firm=1006705
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#902181 - 02/08/08 05:34 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Dip
Dip Offline
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#902185 - 02/08/08 05:41 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Dip
Comp Guy No More Offline
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I'm a big proponent of original equipment. I have any work on my Tahoe done at the dealership. Of course, I'm friends with the mechanic so I know I'm not getting screwed.

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#902186 - 02/08/08 05:42 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Dip
BotV#6 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Dip
OK, here the shop is on BBB... They aren't accredited, is that bad thing or is it neutral?
http://sandiego.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=26&bbb=1186&firm=1006705


Not being BBB accreddited doesn't mean anything except they didn't pay to be part of the service. If you look at the number of complaints, 1 in 36 months isn't bad.

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#902193 - 02/08/08 05:50 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? BotV#6
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Dip, being a factory part doesn't mean it's always the best. Look at consumer reports regarding the equipment to see quality/satisfaction ratings and then make a choice. Ask the Midas what brand they use and see how it rates.

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#902200 - 02/08/08 05:54 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? BotV#6
Comp Guy No More Offline
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#902212 - 02/08/08 06:07 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Comp Guy No More
Ops Offline
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I'm so glad I have a hubby who can do that kinda stuff.

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#902223 - 02/08/08 06:18 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? BotV#6
Dip Offline
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San Diego, CA
Pep Boys can give em ceramic brakes for $175 plus turn the rotors for an extra $16.... Are ceramics any better?

What do you think guys? I am leaving work early today to get something done to my brakes...just need to know which way to go.
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#902227 - 02/08/08 06:22 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Ops
Pepper's Sister Offline
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When it comes to my car, I go to the dealer. They'll have the service up-dates and stuff, they know the car, and chances are better that they'll be there for a while. Not all Midas dealers will be.

I had a friend who had her brakes done at Midas......holy moly....nothing but problems. She was soooo sorry she took her car there. But... keep in mind they are independently owned and operated.

For me, I stick with the dealer. "It's not just a car.....it's my freedom."
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#902228 - 02/08/08 06:22 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Pepper's Sister
Pepper's Sister Offline
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Check on cartalk.com....... they're good and know their stuff. See what they say.
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#902232 - 02/08/08 06:26 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? Pepper's Sister
*BUSTER* Offline
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Ceramic pads will last longer than non-ceramic pads.

Drive to the midas place, if it looks to be clean(for a brake shop), that will help you tell how good they are.

Depending on the garunty, I might go with the pep boys if I were you.
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#902329 - 02/08/08 08:20 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good? *BUSTER*
Anonymous
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I have used the MIDAS lifetime guarantee on my past two vehicles and have never had a problem with them or their service.

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#902515 - 02/10/08 05:09 PM Re: Brakes done at Midas? Any good?
Dip Offline
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Dip
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San Diego, CA
Friend's hubby is putting in ceramic brakes today...hope it turns out ok!
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