Replace front brakes,rotors shims..OEM or Not? $469.00??

I would probably get a second opinion on the need to replace them at all. I'm thinking it's unusual to need the brakes replaced with those miles unless you or the previous drivers were very hard on braking. The regenerative braking typically does a lot of the slowing without brake contact. I had my tire guy give them a quick look and he said they were good in my 05 w/110k miles several months back. Many seem to last 150k or more.

 

I agree with SteveLee in that you probably should get a 2nd opinion. My 08 has over 190K on it (2/3 highway) and still has the original front pads and rear shoes. There are some cases where the rotors rust so badly that they require replacement, but those are the exception and not the rule.

 

A second opinion won't hurt if you have reason not to trust the dealer. The brake life reports I am reading here are all over the map from 40k to 200k, so it's not unreasonable to think yours are due. And honestly, that's a decent price for OEM done at a dealer.

 

Why was the dealer looking a your brakes in the first place?

Yeah.
I'd get a second opinion. 500 bucks isn't highway robbery but it's not cheap for that job by half...

EDIT: I was wrong. I misread the original post and thought that the 500 bucks that for front and rear brakes.
They want 500 bucks for the front brakes only?????

THAT is highway robbery.

 

Autozone: front brake rotor $30 x2

 

Did you ask your "local" to inspect the brakes to see if any work actually needed to be done? That should be step one, before you purchase the parts online. Considering your odometer reading and usage there is a reasonable likelihood that no repair work is needed at this time.

 

Make sure he unhooks the 12 volt battery before he starts your brake job.

 

I second this. Just had an email from a friend "posts here occasionally" that was having a brake service by his local garage. Guess what, they did not disconnect the battery and popped the front brake caliper piston then tried to bleed the brakes.

John (Britprius)

 

Post a picture of the front rotors. They can be seen easily through the wheel spokes, we will then have a good idea as to there condition.

John (Britprius)

 

Pitted rotors are almost standard on a Gen 2 Prius especially if your not "cleaning" them. They'll groan and scrape like crazy after a rain and if the car is not garaged that can be a daily occurrence.

All you need to do is get the car up to speed say around 70 mph and with no one in front of you or behind you put the car in neutral and apply the brakes. Don't slam them on just apply the brakes like your slowing down a little. Do that a few times. Putting the car in neutral removes regen braking and you'll only be on the car's hydraulic brakes.
Which are really crappy!

Most of us do this all the time. It keeps the rotors clean and removes the surface rust. If you don't the slightest wet will make the brakes really grabby.

Have to do it all the time especially if you live in a wet area. I have no idea where you live as you didn't fill out your locale.

If you have never done this the rotors may be to far gone. Provide photo please like John said.

 

What I would do if I owned a Prius up north and had to leave it outside is get wheel covers. On eBay there cheap. Just throw them on the wheels. If you get a big brake job the new shiny rotors will just rust right back up without cleaning or protection.

Due to regen the hydraulic brakes do not get used 100% unlike normal car the brake pads never fully engage.

 

I'd say you should get a second opinion. I own a 2004 Prius with 135k miles and my front brakes are nowhere near to needing servicing, not to mention the rears!!!

 

The dirty little secret about rust belt rotor rust is that it's mostly on the backside (splash shield side) and is not something that will "clean off".
If the car parks outside (and I mean conventional cars too) expect to be in for rotor replacements by 5 - 6 years.

 

They really help. I used them on a car I had to store outside. Only need 1 pair. But the protection they give to the wheels alone is worth it. They go on really fast they just hang on the tire.
Look around they sell a vinyl outside fleece inside cover thats really nice.
But you still should clean the brakes with the method I suggested. You get so used to it that now if I see the battery in green and don't want to charge anymore I'll just go in neutral and use the brakes to stop.

Here some cheapo canvas. Can't lose at this price may buy them myself. They keep the wheel really clean and extends any tire conditioner you have on the tires. Conditioner lasts a real long time if covered:

 

My 2008 Prius needed pads and rotors in NJ. I bought the pads on Amazon for $23 and the rotors were $20 each. The little mom and pop shop up the road from me does brakes for $59 per axle. I gave them the parts, 1 hour later my Prius rolled out with brand new pads and rotors for a grand total of $122. That was a year ago and they still look brand new!