How long do OEM brakes last?

[Malcolm991]

Today I had some work done on my car and the wheels were removed to show the amount of brake pads I have left! I have 90k and I have more than a third of pads left. Is this normal for the Mazda3?

[Thrizzl3]

my rear rotors only lasted 100k..my fronts were replaced when i bought the car at 97k

[Donutz]

The honest answer is it depends on how often / hard you use them.

[inbini]

Same here... I am at 80K and still have the original pads and rotors.. I was wondering that myself too... I think I am just gonna change it soon though...

[RedRaptor]

101K, still on original rotors and 2nd version brake pads replaced at 24K service.

[mazdas3sporte]

depends on how u use them,

[5_Alive]

51k and the front pads are now needing replacement. Lots of highway/city driving for me, but the rears and all the rotors are still fine.

[kevcol74]

Depends on use. I have 145K, original rears (pads and rotors), but the fronts have been done, which only makes sense, 75% of braking load is on the front brakes. Downshifting can extend your brake life dramatically too.

[bhrm]

When I drove an automatic heavy ass VW jetta GLS VR6, i did brake pads every 30-35k km. Rotors at 90,000km.

My 3 has 62,000km and pads have about half left, rotors fine. I'm impressed.

[mazdabetty]

I'm at 64k and it feels like my rotors are completely warped. Slight vibration when braking. No idea how hard the previous owner was on the breaks, it really does depend on how you use em.

[gabbygenier]

back ones were changed at 40k but thats because the car got towed with parking brake on but i just replaced the front ones when i did my 96k service the other week. service guy told me my back ones had lots of life left on them

[Hives]

depends on how u use them. City driving would wear them out more the highway.

[x_o_k_x]

im at 24k original breaks pads and rotors. 8mm fronts and back

[blackspeed3]

Depends on use. I have 145K, original rears (pads and rotors), but the fronts have been done, which only makes sense, 75% of braking load is on the front brakes. Downshifting can extend your brake life dramatically too.


I have a great tendency to downshift when setting up for corners etc but not that smart lol....brakes are cheaper to replace then clutches!

[McGuyver_3]

All depenbds on how you drive my rear brakes were replaced 2 times already once at 40k because of a sticky caliper and the dealer didn't warranty it. And just recently at 80k because I wanted cross drilled rotors all round. My front brakes lasted up until recent. Pads were fine but rotors were brutally warped lol IMO if ypu replace brakes never machine the rotors always replace as the more they are machined the more likely they are to warp

[3GFX]

Rear pads went at about 80, 000kms. To be honest I redid all for pads and rotors but could have got away with just the rear pads. The brakes are excellent on the mazda3. Their only downside is squeel in cold or wet weather.

[kevcol74]

I have a great tendency to downshift when setting up for corners etc but not that smart lol....brakes are cheaper to replace then clutches!

Rev matching when downshifting will have very little wear and tear on your clutch. I've heard this arguement many times before, but if you drive right, then you won't have issues either way.

[McGuyver_3]

+1 on rev matching while down shiftibg even the automatic cars in titronic mode rev match when you down shift but it sucks they limit the rpms when down shifting so you cannot shift when you want I hate it that's why I drive stick lol back on topis

[KenYork]

110k, havn't touched the fronts yet. Rear at 48k (oem to ebc green) & 90k(hawk hps and oem rotors).

[ng3]

200k on original fronts, time to finally change them now...
Rears changed around 60k due to excessive brake dust and wear

[mazdathree]

200k on original fronts, time to finally change them now...
Rears changed around 60k due to excessive brake dust and wear

wow your car is at 200K? hows it doing? any major issues? Mine is only 48500 so Im very curious how it will be like when its 200K...sorry its a little off topic.

[Fuman]

wow your car is at 200K? hows it doing? any major issues? Mine is only 48500 so Im very curious how it will be like when its 200K...sorry its a little off topic.
maybe a lot of hwy

[towelsnap]

I'm at 56kms hard driving and mine are ok gone through a set of tires though.... lol

[Get-Me]

I have 39,000km and my Rear Brake pads have 1mm left and front still good. how do i know when to replace the rotors

thanks

[Thrizzl3]

if you have 1mm left then i would get those replaced now. i wouldnt wait to see grooves on the rotors.

[Get-Me]

Its in the shop just waiting for them to Call.


they said the Rotors needs to be replaced too. but its only 39k on it. is it normal to have the rotors replaced at this low km? my Toyota lasted 90k before rotors was replaced.

[Thrizzl3]

mine lasted 96,000 kms shouldn't they be under warranty or is it part of wear and tear?

[Hives]

mine lasted 96,000 kms shouldn't they be under warranty or is it part of wear and tear?

It is not covered under warranty. Part of normal wear and tear like tires, so u gotta open up ur wallet.

[Get-Me]

Now just debating OEM or Original Rotors and Pads.


just checked it and pad is gone and rotors are too thin to machine.


any suggestions?

[Thrizzl3]

It is not covered under warranty. Part of normal wear and tear like tires, so u gotta open up ur wallet.

at 39,000?? thats soo lowww...


Now just debating OEM or Original Rotors and Pads.


just checked it and pad is gone and rotors are too thin to machine.


any suggestions?

when did you have your brakes last serviced?

[Get-Me]

i guess because its mainly City driving and its an 05 with only 39k. work is only 7km and parents house is only 1km away. ( i know im lazy and dont walk).

[Thrizzl3]

was the car brand new or used?

[Get-Me]

Bought it Brand New!

had it since July 05

[Thrizzl3]

only way they can wear down that quickly is if you jam on the brakes or if you drive with the handbrake up (which i hope you don't do)

[Get-Me]

Im just the person who brings it to the Mechanic. Its my Wife's car!


Would you recommend Original Mazda (expensive) or After Market Rotors and Pads?

which is about $100.00 less

[Thrizzl3]

i got my brakes done at my family mechanic where he only charged me 250 for the rears..i know when i went to Airport Mazda for a price on rears they quoted me $340..

[Get-Me]

Wow!

Agincourt Mazda wants $460.00 plus taxes for the REAR Brakes alone.

Both Pads and Rotors


I went to a familiy mechanic and cost $300.00 with aftermarket rotor and pad.


Original is $100.00 more but i think i should get less dust with aftermarket. so we'll see!

[marvin24k]

I would go with this setup $260.00 for all 4 corners. Then I would get them installed by Jimmy, or a shop closer to you. It would be much cheaper & and you get good quality brakes.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=30980

[mazdathree]

How much minimum thickness of the brakepads do we need before replacement? How thick the new ones would be?

and how about the rotors what signs should I be seeing on them so that I know its time for replacement? .....im still learning about brakes and rotors!

[Fuman]

Now just debating OEM or Original Rotors and Pads.


just checked it and pad is gone and rotors are too thin to machine.


any suggestions?
Get OEM rotors + hawk pads.

[Darkfrosty7]

needed mine changed at 80k

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I've owned a lot of Mazda's over the years and the brakes and mechanical components have always lasted a long time.

I don't remember the mileage on the previous cars and all of the details cause it was too long ago and I'm old, but more recently, I replaced the front brakes on my old Protege at 128,000km and the rears at 200,000km. When she was written off in the accident, she had 265,000km on the odo and was just coming due for another set of front brakes. Clutch was also original and still had another 70,000km or so before it would have needed replacement. I know this as I sheared the primary gear on my tranny at 210,000km and had them pull off the clutch too for inspection, since that would have been the time to change it if it needed it. Incidentally, I drive my vehicles very, very hard, hence the sheared gear...but they are religiously maintained. Funnily enough and the tech could scarcely believe it, but apart from the rattle from the metal bits in the tranny, the Pro still held into gear and wouldn't pop out of gear even under hard acceleration. Great little car, may she rest in peace.

More recently, the wife's MZ3 was in Jimmy's yesterday for service. She has 64,000km on the odo. The pads are around 70-75% remaining, but the front left rotor has a very slight warp that transmits a little vibration when braking hard at highway speeds. Nothing too bad, but something to watch for if it gets worse. She is also not particularly gentle on her vehicles, but is a saint compared to me.

[coyote]

I'm at 55K and running out of pad on the rears. Still got a lot of meat on the fronts. I tend to brake slowly and don't downshift right away.

[p_k]

i think it depend on your driving habit

[Newlook]

I'm still on the original front at 108800. Machined the front rotors at 85613. Pads had 6mm left at 96212.

Brake starts to pulsate again when I slow down from high speed (offramp). I think I might need new front brakes soon? I doubt machining the rotors for the 2nd time is worth it.

Rear rotors and pads have 82355 (got them replaced by warranty at 26455). I think these are still good for another while.

[Houndskull]

damn.... i needed mine changed at 35K i think its my habit hard breaking front warped on me>

[Bean]

I am 58 K. Brakes look okay all around but now there is a persistent grind in them as well as noise when turning the steering wheel and the rears look worse than the front.