Took my Mini Cooper 2007 in for a repair this morning, I had a grinding noise coming from the back wheel well. I had hoped it was my bearing as that would be covered by my warranty, turns out it was my front brakes (????) despite the noise clearly coming from the back (myself and two other passengers all heard the noise in the back!).

Anyway, Mini dealership replaced the front brakes, much to my horror it was nearly $500 after taxes. The sound is gone, so it was clearly the front brakes. I was hoping you guys could let me know if I got fleeced at all here. The key question for me here is why the heck did they replace the "BRAKE DISC. VENTILA", and $127 labour seems like A LOT for such a simple job.

Thoughts?

 

Dealer prices are always ridiculous and I personally consider them the last option after exhausting independent mechanic shops in the area.

We have Do-It-Yourself articles here including some on replacing your braking components (Brakes Section). Depending on your wrenching ability, it could save you a substantial amount: Pelican Parts - MINI Cooper Technical Articles

 

Yes it seems high , but $403 is alot closer to $400 than $500.... just saying

 

Haha good observation!

 

I know it came off as being a smartass comment , but forgot to put a there and lol.
I left the Chevrolet dealer and they want $375 to do my front brakes on my 08 1500 Z71 Which I thought was a ridiculous quote... So I went to a couple Indy shops, one was $395 and the other was $210 with aftermarket pads...

I need them done soon , but had back surgery and cannot do anything like at all for a long time ...

 

Hopefully your recovery goes well, those prices sound much more decent though.