Brake rotors - how much are you paying to machine them?

[D60]

Well lets think about this...that is $70 to turn a pair of rotors. That is about 0.3-0.5 hours of labor depending on the shops labor rate. I'd say that is pretty good since it will probably take a half hour from start to finish for the rotors to get turned. Most shops will charge an hour minimum for small jobs.

That said...I'd just get a set of new rotors from RockAuto.

If you have a brake lathe, that's one thing. Otherwise ya gotta factor in the hassle of taking them somewhere, waiting/killing time, and returning to get them.

 

[emmett442]

^^^Exactly. As cheap as new rotors are, getting them cut isn't worth the time. Also, where I live, rotors don't reliably last a second set of pads before they rot through from the inside out.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Yeah, rust belt rotors? Forget it.

 

[KevinMalone]

BMW dealership do it if the rotor retains the minimum thickness. Their machine allows for the rotor to remain mounted to the axle.

That's good to know. I know that BMW FSM typically allows for 2mm of rotor wear before replacement

 

[Plumb Bob]

I think everyone around me stopped doing it, or the businesses that did it closed. Rarely hear anybody doing this anymore. I guess it used to be a lot cheaper than new rotors, but I guess that's not the case anymore.

The last time I had them machined was 25 years ago, it made sense back then, not anymore.

 

[KevinMalone]

ATE for me.

Are ATE rotors better? I know Zimmermanns are not always OE but I've always been happy with them. Curious if it's worth seeking out ATE over Zimmermanns in the future

 

[edyvw]

Are ATE rotors better? I know Zimmermanns are not always OE but I've always been happy with them. Curious if it's worth seeking out ATE over Zimmermanns in the future

If I can get ATE, I always go with them. I have Zimmerman now on the BMW front, on Tiguan ATE.
I used ATE regular rotors on the street and track. On this BMW, I had ATE doing 30k, street, and probably 15 track sessions (on original brakes before the upgrade). But, they are pricier than comparable Zimmerman. The reason why I went to Zimmerman for this BMW is that I upgraded to Brembo brakes from F30 335/340i, and the difference in rotor price (slotted and dimpled) was some $190.