I just bought a used 2006 Cayman S. The car is still under warranty but needs front brakes replaced. The dealer is asking $1180 for the job (including brake fluid flush). Is it advisable to do it yourself or just let the dealer do it? Is the price pretty standard or should I shop around?

Thank you!

 

You can shop around and an indy shop may be a little less expensive. If you're handy... tools to do a brake job are readily available at Sears, etc if you don't have any. Pads are probably ~$75 (haven't bought a set in a while) - look online/sponsors. You can also buy a brake bleeder for $50.
You can buy everything (tools and parts) for ~$200 (another $150 more if you need rotors - though I can't imagine why you would - they last 60k miles under normal/non-track use). It'll take you 1/2 day to do this. I'm sure you can also find a local P-car guys/gals (there are a few of them in ATL on PPBB.com) to help out.

Here are step-by-step instructions to changing pads on a Boxster as reference.
http://www.bombaydigital.com/boxster...s/change_pads/

But if you are still uncomfortable and can't find someone local to help... then pay the $$ to have it professionally done. Stopping is kinda important. Good luck!

 

I would say if you were closer to me than I'd help you with it. Just did my 996tt all 4 rotors and pads. It is an extremely easy diy and it's pretty much the same on the 996tt as the Cayman S. Look on caymanclub/planetporsche and I'm pretty syre they have a DIY for the Cayman S.

 

DIY no question! Here is a sep by step how to. Good luck.

http://www.planetporsche.net/reviews...uct=121&cat=10

 

replacing boxster/cayman brakes is a very straightforward process and there are a lot of good writeups on the net. also, a motive power bleeder would be a good investment for brake bleeding.

 

You can DIY a Front brake pad replacement with a floor jack in 1 hour or less .I did my Cayman front at 25K and now with 35K I just checked the rears and there is still 60% pad left
Deffinately a easy DIY .it also gives you some feeling of knowing you car a little better

I followed the instructions as Driver8 posted

 

I wouldn't think you would need a brake fluid flush, but that is my opinion. I have done brakes before(not porsche) and would rate its difficulty as a 4 or 5 out of 10(depending on your skill level). I am a tinkerer, not a pro by any means but I would rate my skill level around a 6 or 7 out of 10(just cause I do my homework first). wiper replace=0.5, engine replace=10. on my scale.

Hope that helps.

 

i agree...not always needed...hopefully not since the car is new. Brakes are definitely something that if u don't know how to do 'em, you should. Cause as u noticed, paying for brake service isn't cheap!
So do 'em yourself and learn.
Check you brake fluid to determine if it's really in need of changing.

 

That's about right for a dealer brake job: $1000 per axle and in this case you get fluid flush/bleed.

If you have done brake jobs -- pads or pads and rotors -- on other cars successfully you can do brakes on Cayman S. Parts are not too expensive and there's nothing sinister in the Cayman S braking system.

For brake fluid flush/bleed you can have this done at dealer cause dealer will cycle ABS hardware and flush/bleed fluid in that portion of system or you can buy Motive Power Bleeder and do the flush/bleed yourself.

You can even with a helper and time do the brakes the old fashioned way.

If you do the fluid flush yourself don't forget the clutch slave cylinder last if of course car equipped with manual.

Sincerely,

Macster.