I have a 2006 Cayman S w/30K miles & 4mm pad left per dealer who wants $1200 for brks & rotors. Must rotors be replaced on these cars? Anyone tried having rotors "turned" vs. replaced. Thank you.

Well, you have 40% of your pads left - if you're not tracking the car or otherwise real heavy on the brakes (and with 40% left after 30k miles, it sounds like you're not) you probably don't have to worry about it for another 5k miles or so, imo. You'll want to change them out at 2mm or so, otherwise you'll be replacing the sensors, too.

As for the rotors, many dealers make it a policy to replace the rotors with the pads, but it's not always necessary. The rotors do need to be replaced when they've had 2mm of wear on them from their original thickness. The fronts and reads have slightly different beginning thicknesses, and I don't recall what they are without having to look it up, but they should be able to measure them and tell you. The other reasons to replace rotors are if they're warped (probably not in your case) or if there are cracks in the rotors that go from hole to hole.

You cannot "turn" these rotors - primarily because of the holes in them, and turning them will take them out of spec for their thickness anyway.

brad

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21-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

If your rotors are shot, change them out yourself. It's pretty easy and it will save you the 'shirt off your back'

Front Rotors $250
Front Pads $125

Chances are the rears are still good however

Rear Rotors $240
Rear Pads $90

I would probally flush the fluid at the same time

$40 will buy you two cans

If you want the Rolls Royce service swap out the hoses for stainless, these will run you $130

Add on the repair kits front and rear for around $100

The total for the complete parts $975

For just the fronts and bleeding $465

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Current Cars:

2008 Orange - Limited Edition Boxster S
2004 Atlas Grey - Boxster S

Thank you for the detailed & prompt response to this "newbie". I can see that joining this club was a great addition for me. I look forward to learning more about this club & this wonderful car I own plus passing on anything I may be able to contribute in the future. Best Regards, Chas