Can You Believe This Or Am I Crazy

blackcrossfire07 · #1 (**permalink**)

I have a 2005 manual base coupe with 53K miles on it. I am the original owner now for the past 4 years (exactly 4 years). I had the brakes checked and the dealership said there is plenty life in them... about 50%. Think they are full of it? I can't imagine why they would lie considering it is money for them to do the job. I am easy on the brakes and do a mix of highway/city driving. My last new car needed brakes at 50K miles. Is it normal to still have 50% left on the pads in 4 years/50K miles?

spensley · #2 (**permalink**)

I have 46000 on mine and I have lots of pad life left.

facpro · #3 (**permalink**)

I bought an 04 coupe last May with 15,000 miles, I now have close to 20,000 and just had an 80 point check done at AAA. The only thing they found was the front brakes are almost at the sensor the rears are full.

mdaniels4 · #4 (**permalink**)

as crazy as it sounds BlackCross, it's proably true. I've done a brake job on my 99 Ford Explorer once, at about 85K, and now at 168 they're starting to get noticeably down there, so it'll be time again soon. same car had 75K on the shocks just fine when I replaced them because I felt they should, and I put Michelin XC SUV hiway tires on at 40K and there's still suffivient tread left. Go figure. If they would have been worn enough the shop would have replaced them, at least to get somne income for the day. Good for you!

Goldwing · #5 (**permalink**)

I turned a 5-speed Vue over to my daughter with 118k and she finally needed brakes at 148k. It was mostly highway driving as well as judicious use of the manual tranny. It's more a function of how often and how hard you use the brakes rather than the mileage. If you're the type of driver who races up to a light or stopsign and then brakes hard (like my son), you'll need brakes sooner. Or, as I prefer, I back off the gas when I'm a few hundred yards away from the stop and let the car slow down 10-20 mph on it's own.

blackcrossfire07 · #6 (**permalink**)

Thanks guys.... just wanted to see if this was normal. I had a Camaro that needed brakes after 50K so I was thinking it was almost time on the Crossfire. But the Camaro was an automatic. My crossfire is a stick. I tend to take my foot off the gas and let the gears help slow down (without putting strain on the engine or tranny). Sometimes I pop it in neutral and let the car slow down to a stop rather than jam on the brakes.

Franc Rauscher · #7 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcrossfire07

I have a 2005 manual base coupe with 53K miles on it. I am the original owner now for the past 4 years (exactly 4 years). I had the brakes checked and the dealership said there is plenty life in them... about 50%. Think they are full of it? I can't imagine why they would lie considering it is money for them to do the job. I am easy on the brakes and do a mix of highway/city driving. My last new car needed brakes at 50K miles. Is it normal to still have 50% left on the pads in 4 years/50K miles?

You have a manual transmission dude. Why the surprise?

Thanks for proving my point.

roadster with a stick
The way it should be

blackcrossfire07 · #8 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franc Rauscher

You have a manual transmission dude. Why the surprise?

Thanks for proving my point.

roadster with a stick
The way it should be

Are you saying a manual is easier on the brakes than an automatic?

Franc Rauscher · #9 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcrossfire07

Are you saying a manual is easier on the brakes than an automatic?

I've been saying that since my first car. 1939 Ford coupe. 3 speed manual, they only came that way. The auto stick will do it also but many don't like, or know how, to use it that way.

Using the tranny saves one from cleaning brake dust because it saves brakes.
It's easier to shift down than to bend down with a rag.

I'm lazy.

franc

Check this thread for more.
Brake Dust

Goldwing · #10 (**permalink**)

I'm saying that the way you drive -- and more importantly, the way you approach a stop -- has a lot to do with the life of your brakes. The "slap stick" auto transmission can be worked a lot like a standard for slowing down with the engine, just not IMHO as much fun as a real stick.

blackcrossfire07 · #11 (**permalink**)

I am wondering if our brake system is overkill in the crossfire. Not that I am complaining... but I think it is good! The rotors and calipers seem a little big for such a small car that does not weight much. What do you think? Could that also play a role in getting so many miles out of the original pads?

Colorado Cruizer · #12 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcrossfire07

I am wondering if our brake system is overkill in the crossfire. Not that I am complaining... but I think it is good! The rotors and calipers seem a little big for such a small car that does not weight much. What do you think? Could that also play a role in getting so many miles out of the original pads?

When you have to design a car that can go 150mph on the AutoBahn you have to design in larger brakes. Most German cars have larger brakes than American cars because they can be driven at the top speed of the car as opposed to 75mph in the USA. Lucky for us they are great at stopping our XFIREs. The SRT6's have even larger brakes which is Great...the larger the better.

BoilerUpXFire · #13 (**permalink**)

My '05 has 46K miles on it and brakes near 50%

My mom's '05 has 77K miles on it and she is still at like 50%

I think she may drive a little different than I do.

Iamfink2 · #14 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05XF-LVR

My '05 has 46K miles on it and brakes near 50%

My mom's '05 has 77K miles on it and she is still at like 50%

I think she may drive a little different than I do.

I drove behind you on the Dragon and I'm sure you're mother does drive a little different than you do.

Franc Rauscher · #15 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado Cruizer

When you have to design a car that can go 150mph on the AutoBahn you have to design in larger brakes. Most German cars have larger brakes than American cars because they can be driven at the top speed of the car as opposed to 75mph in the USA. Lucky for us they are great at stopping our XFIREs. The SRT6's have even larger brakes which is Great...the larger the better.

I would concurr with Colorado here, having owned a number of Benzes. If you are building a car that weighs in at 4600 lbs and it can do 150 MPH then you had better have systems that can stop a 4600 lb car. Germans are known for it.

Our cars are considerabley lighter at 3,300 lbs but the brakes are built for the heavier SLK and other Benzes. A bonus from Diamler.

Roadster with a stick

+fireamx · #16 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcrossfire07

I have a 2005 manual base coupe with 53K miles on it. I am the original owner now for the past 4 years (exactly 4 years). I had the brakes checked and the dealership said there is plenty life in them... about 50%. Think they are full of it? I can't imagine why they would lie considering it is money for them to do the job. I am easy on the brakes and do a mix of highway/city driving. My last new car needed brakes at 50K miles. Is it normal to still have 50% left on the pads in 4 years/50K miles?

Since you asked, I have to say you're CRAZY..........crazy for putting up with the factory brake dust for that many miles.

I didn't replace my pads with "Rotex Gold" until I took my car in for its 30k check-up, and afterwards I wanted to kick myself for not doing it sooner.

nox1s · #17 (**permalink**)

I must be much more "spirited" then you all!!!!

I have 43k miles on mine, replace front pads with rotex gold around 25k.. and now i'm replacing all 4 pads / rotors..!!

Franc Rauscher · #18 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nox1s

I must be much more "spirited" then you all!!!!

I have 43k miles on mine, replace front pads with rotex gold around 25k.. and now i'm replacing all 4 pads / rotors..!!

You are 19. need I say more.

car is built to drive. so................

"drive it like you stole it, cause you did."
Jane Bridges

roadster with a stick

blackcrossfire07 · #19 (**permalink**)

Quote:

Originally Posted by +fireamx

Since you asked, I have to say you're CRAZY..........crazy for putting up with the factory brake dust for that many miles.

I didn't replace my pads with "Rotex Gold" until I took my car in for its 30k check-up, and afterwards I wanted to kick myself for not doing it sooner.

You would be surprised how clean my wheels are with the factory pads. The pads used to make a mess when they were brand new but now they hardly make a mess. I use my car everyday for 4 years and wash it once (sometimes twice) a week. The only time my rims get dirty is after a rain shower. Everyone wants to know how my car stays so clean.