Can OEM rotors be resurfaced?
I had my "new" E30 inspected two weeks ago at Merchant Tire in Bethesda. It is not the first time I've had issues with them, but since the shop is two blocks from my house the convenience always lures me in for minor stuff.
After dropping my car off for inspection the svc. manager calls and informs me I need rear brake pads to pass inspection ($200). I used to do that kind of thing myself but I was anxious to get my "new" car road-legal so I said "OK". He calls again asking if I want to replace the rotors as well ($200). After telling me they were within spec, I said "No thanks, just resurface them".
They squeek occationally. A week goes by and the squeek turns into a squeel. It has now morphed into screeching.
I take the car back and show them how the brake pad appears to be making contact with the non-polished part of the rotor. Turns out, the rotor is "cupped" and wasn't resurfaced "because that kind of rotor can't be resurfaced"?!?. I'll be screeching until the pads get grooved. Obviously, had I known that, I would have told him not to fix anything and I'd swap new rotors and pads in myself. I felt bad enough paying them to swap the pads...now I'm going to have to take it apart anyway.
Are these guys completely full of it? I guess I thought all shops resurfaced rotors if they replaced brake pads...isn't that standard procedure?
I'm waiting till Bob, the service manager gets back from vacation before calling & getting to worked up.
-Erik
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